Celebrating one year of Alex in digital marketing at R52

We can’t believe that it’s been over a year since Alex called us to ask whether we would take her on, a bubbly (loud) southerner eager to take on the world of marketing in all its shapes and sizes and begin to really make Burnley her home. But here we are, celebrating one year of having Alex as a firm part of our team!

In the 12 months that Alex has been with us, she has progressed from being a digital marketing apprentice to becoming our business development executive, to now beginning her new venture as assistant digital lead, and we couldn’t imagine Root Fifty-Two without her.

To celebrate the occasion, we sat down with Alex to see how she’s found the last year of working with our wonderful team here at R52.

Q – What made you decide to pursue a career in digital marketing?

I graduated with Honours in Human Geography right before lockdown hit, and whilst my university friends were all predominantly getting course related jobs once we’d moved back home, a few others went down a more creative path and I thought, I want that too.

I’m a writer/blogger and photographer in my spare time, and I love the freedom that comes with being creative and trying new things, so I knew that perhaps a career in something more academic perhaps wasn’t quite for me. Digital Marketing is brilliant, where you can lend your hand to helping Izzy with content for websites or blog writing, and trialling new ideas to apply to clients’ digital accounts.

Q – Why did you choose a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?

I didn’t really, it was circumstantial. I only moved up to Burnley in January 2022 having been long-distance with my partner prior to that, and so at the beginning I just needed a job.

That’s all I had in mind, something to see me through the days and allow me to make some money whilst I found my feet in the North. I applied to so many jobs that I didn’t realise I’d actually applied for a digital marketing apprenticeship, and so when the call came through, I jumped at the chance to pursue the creative field.

There’s a lot of opinions around apprenticeships, a corporate hierarchy (definitely not at R52) but in larger companies whereby apprentices are truly the bottom of the ladder, the brew makers of the workforce and undervalued in comparison to other employees. They aren’t considered to be capable of the same level of work as other people, and anyone doing it seemed to be ‘a bit too thick for university’.

I’m 27 and a university graduate so it felt like a step back, but it’s all in my head. You’d never have guessed I was an apprentice, and I’m grateful for the role it’s played in getting me to where I am today.

Q – What have you enjoyed the most about being at Root-Fifty Two? 

I have enjoyed wearing various hats over the last year, from working in the digital department to moving up to work alongside Kimberley as business development exec. before I sat my exams, now shifting again to becoming assistant digital lead.

Most of all, I’ve enjoyed working with our clients to understand their business and bring to life their marketing with the rest of the team. I’ve also really enjoyed attending networking events and getting Root Fifty-Two’s (and my own) name out there, and having been put forward by Kimberley to be a part of the Future Leaders programme, getting the opportunity to meet other young professionals and form great, and no-doubt long-lasting, friendships with them, whilst working on the future of Burnley’s leaders and speaking at various events to raise awareness of what we’re working towards.

Q – What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned over the last year here?

I lack self-belief so my biggest and most valuable lesson has been to never say no to an opportunity just because I’m worried that I might not be good enough, regardless of whether it makes your tummy feel a bit funny.

New experiences are (mostly) always good for you, and it’s so rewarding seeing your hard work pay off and also see your team, friends and family proud of you.

Q – How likely are you to recommend a role at Root Fifty-Two to someone else and why? 

Very! We’re a growing team of thoughtful, authentic and creative people who work hard but play hard too. Everyone wants to see people do well and are keen to throw new ideas about and try new things to help keep things fresh and new. That’s how it should be. 

Q – What’s next for you in your digital marketing career? 

Well, I’m three days into my new role as assistant digital lead so I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be quite content for the next few years! I’m looking forward to really settling into the new venture, growing the digital team and continuing to learn about all things digital. There’s so much potential and I’m thrilled to play a large part in it.