My name is Remotlotlo Moloi, a 19-year-old student at Red and Yellow Creative School of Business, studying Advertising and Specialising in Digital Marketing. Just last year, I was in matric, uncertain about my future. I aimed to become an OBGYN, driven more by external expectations than passion. Despite passing matric, my grades werenβt strong enough for university acceptance, leaving me rejected from all programs I applied for.
After briefly working at KFC, I reconsidered my goals with encouragement from my siblings who recognized my creative and people-centric personality. Their advice led me to explore Digital Marketing. I researched some institutions offering Digital Marketing courses with Red and Yellow being among the top 3. I attended their open day the same week I discovered it and immediately felt a sense of belonging. Hearing, “Your marks donβt define you,” gave me the confidence to apply. Receiving my acceptance letter and a partial bursary confirmed I was on the right path. As an aspiring Digital Marketer, I’m driven by two core goals. Firstly, I aim to build myself as a confident and skilled individual, while mastering digital marketing to become an industry leader. Secondly, I strive to continuously sharpen my skills, learn new ones, and stay ahead of the curve, especially with AI’s growing presence in digital marketing.
Key Learnings And Experiences
During my time at Arora Online, I encountered a variety of tasks that tested my creativity, adaptability, and willingness to learn. Each experience taught me something valuable, and I grew both professionally and personally throughout the internship.
Crafting Social Media Content
One of the first major tasks assigned to me was to create a social media post. I initially believed I had nailed the creative aspect of the task. However, after submitting my work, I received a revert. My manager provided detailed feedback and briefed me again, helping me refine my approach. After another round of revisions, the posts were finally approved, and to my delight, it became the featured post for that week! It was incredibly rewarding to know that the work I put into refining the creative direction, briefing the designer, and crafting the captions was appreciated. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of responding positively to feedback.
Market Research and Competitor Analysis
Market research was another critical learning area for me. I was tasked with researching two projects, which included ideating campaigns for a mall activation planned for the following year. I found it thrilling to develop strategic ideas that could potentially come to life in the future. The possibility of my ideas being implemented excites me, as it gives me a glimpse into the impact I could make in this industry.
I also had the opportunity to join the team on a site, where we observed the execution of mall activations for a planned project. This hands-on experience gave me a deeper understanding of the strategic process behind activations and how research informs campaign development. Despite my initial enthusiasm, I quickly learned that research is the unsung hero of digital marketing. It’s the foundation upon which successful campaigns are built, informing every aspect of our work, from social media and content creation to SEO and paid advertising. In fact, research drives around 60% of the effort behind effective digital marketing strategies, making it an essential skill for any aspiring digital marketer. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for the rigour and precision required in market research.
Presentation And Professionalism
Being naturally bubbly, I thought presenting would be second nature. But I soon realised that screen sharing and presenting ideas required a whole new set of skills. I honed my ability to communicate clearly, design professional presentations, and organise slides with a clean, engaging layout. Simple enhancements, such as drop shadows on screenshots elevated the overall quality of my presentations.
Learning to Brief Effectively
One of the most significant skills I developed was learning how to write a high-level design brief for a designer. This process involved outlining clear, concise, and actionable instructions, which I then paired with my creative vision. I also learned how to write a campaign brief for activations and how to use tools like Google Slides effectively – everything from font choices to styling for a professional touch.
Client Service And Brief Writing
A standout moment during my internship was being assigned a major client project. I was tasked with developing unique ideas for two new clients. Initially, I was intimidated, thinking this was a task reserved for senior team members. However, as a young professional in the field of Digital Marketing, I rose to the challenge. The experience not only boosted my confidence in my ability to deliver high-quality results under pressure but also reinforced the importance of meticulous preparation, a skill I’ve been honing through my research experience.
Challenges And How I Overcame Them
One of the biggest challenges I faced during my internship was tackling tasks that initially felt beyond my capability. I overcame these challenges by staying consistent, asking for help when needed, and not being afraid to speak up when I felt uncertain. The experience taught me that challenges are a natural part of the process, and being proactive in seeking guidance is key to overcoming them. Additionally, handling the pressure of these tasks helped me grow and build the confidence needed to take on future responsibilities.
Personal And Professional Growth
My growth over the course of the month has been remarkable. I developed key skills in market research, creative ideation, creating high-level design briefs, and social media marketing. One of the highlights of my growth was when my social media post was chosen as “Post of the Week” after multiple revisions, a moment that showed how persistence and learning from feedback can lead to success. Professionally, my mindset has shifted from one of self-doubt to one of confidence and willingness to take on new challenges. The experience has solidified my desire to work in Digital Marketing.
Final Reflections
This internship gave me a holistic view of what it takes to succeed in the Digital Marketing world. Each moment was a stepping stone toward personal and professional growth. I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to contribute, learn, and leave a mark. Reflecting on my internship, I can confidently say it has been a transformative experience. Itβs not only sharpened my skills, but itβs also given me invaluable insights into the workings of a fast-paced agency.
My most memorable moment was the team meetup at Bricklane Eatery, where I had the chance to meet my fellow colleagues. It felt more like a βwelcome to the familyβ moment than just a celebration of overcoming agency challenges. The laughter, food, and personal connections made the experience truly unforgettable. I am incredibly grateful to the team for making my time here so enjoyable. Though my workplace learning journey has come to an end, I hope to work with this amazing team again in the future.
Written by Remotlotlo Moloi.Β
