Sheffield Agency Life: A Graduate’s Perspective

From my first call with Matt, I was initially rather nervous, having not had an 'interview' in some time - which I suppose, like lots of young professionals, I blame on the current job market (I'll avoid an early tangent). However, unlike other calls, this one didn't feel like an interview, but more like a conversation with an interest in learning a bit more about myself. We discussed where my passions lie, beyond what my CV or LinkedIn profile could convey.

Being at the beginning of my career, I struggled to give a specific answer: "I enjoy design, marketing, and PR" (although with some personal hesitation about my abilities to contribute to the latter). Thinking maybe I was pushing it a bit with a new opportunity, I wanted to do and see it all within agency life. However, this was not an issue but welcomed with respect for my curiosity in the agency world, and specifically with what Chapter II does. I think this call gave me an insight into how the business deals with clients: tailoring to what suits them, whilst pushing them forward.

Finding the right agency in a changing landscape

Initial conversations with agencies in London had left me questioning whether this is the right future for me - a concern I won't fully unpack here, though it's tied to broader shifts in the industry with AI (I'll leave that analysis to the Financial Times). What I can say is that finding the right fit as an undergraduate isn't straightforward in the current landscape. I suppose this article is both for my own comfort and for others in a similar situation - to show it isn't all doom and gloom, but rather about keeping an eye out for the right agency.

My time at Chapter II has shown that smaller agencies are well-positioned here, demonstrating an ability to be nimble and build authentic client relationships. What sets Chapter II apart is how they bridge both worlds: meeting modern business needs while maintaining the culture and values that define it, with an element of Sheffield charm, of course. I personally think it's this characteristic that makes their client relationships distinct. Honesty is simply standard.

Where agencies add value

Let me try to add some real insights to help back this up.

From working on the design team, I witnessed this firsthand. They'd dial in and lock down a design while simultaneously negotiating the client's requests and fielding my constant barrage of questions about the software they use. A frequent one from me was "can you show me what you just did, all over again?"

As someone who's always been fascinated by this sector, I still overlook things that we as customers often neglect. Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems, and there are likely hundreds of layers and processes behind what you see. I think it's valuable to understand these complexities, whether that's so you can tackle design yourself at whatever level, or simply to appreciate that the journey to the final design can be both tedious and frustrating.

My time with the PR team reinforced another aspect of getting to know your client. What amazed me about this department has only come as I write this blog. It appears that PR exists in the shadows when it's done well, existing organically, and being neatly organised behind closed doors. I think I won't go into PR in too much detail, to avoid butchering what is an art which I haven't quite grasped.

Marketing research and strategy, on the other hand, as a general concept, is my bread and butter. After all, I did spend money at Bristol University to be educated on the topic. Within these fields, I felt comfortable building my own work and bringing fresh perspectives to the table. This experience solidified that I don't want this interest to be forgotten in the lecture hall, but rather to continue building on what I already know and can still learn.

Although I speak about these as separate departments, the truth is there's a lot of crossovers. Both Allie and Matt bring together a collective space where concepts are shared and developed, more than if they existed in isolation. It's therefore fair to say that at this agency, you aren't just a designer, PR specialist, or marketer, but rather someone who contributes across all fields in one way or another. The team is made up of full-stack marketers - an aspect I've identified as critical in these smaller agencies, and what I'd argue is a key factor to modern agency success.

I think the issue with larger agencies is that you get placed into a department with bureaucratic layers where you can easily end up specialised in one field, often lacking an understanding of the full operation, maybe unless you're an Account Executive. I suppose what I've learned is to keep developing my skills across design, marketing, and PR, while staying open to new perspectives. What Chapter II seem to get right - particularly those rooted in places like Sheffield - is a certain directness that larger setups lack. No corporate performance, just straightforward work and genuine relationships.