Thinking About a Creative Career? Start Here

Missed one of our SMS panels? Or just want a quick recap without the pressure of taking

notes? We got you!

Across our panel events, we sat down with professionals from a range of industries including marketing, PR, design, media and beauty, and asked them about everything from career paths and finding your place in the industry to creativity, social media, AI and, of course, “what am I even doing with my life?”

With people at different stages of their careers sharing their experiences, advice and the things they wish they knew when they were in our position, there was one thing that became pretty clear:

There is no perfect career path.

So, whether you know exactly what you want to do after uni or you’re still trying to figure it out, here’s what we learnt.

1. No One Knows What They’re Doing And That’s Okay

Like, genuinely. People switch degrees, change careers, and fall into roles by accident. One minute they want to be historians, the next they are in creative industries.

A lot of them did not have a clear plan, they just followed what they enjoyed and figured things out along the way.

The vibe was very much:“You’ll figure it out eventually.”

One panellist also put it simply:

“There is no right decision. Whatever you choose, you’ll make it right in hindsight.”

So if you are sitting there stressed about your future, relax. You are not behind. You are just normal. And more importantly, you are still early, which means you have time to explore.

2. Just Start. Seriously

No perfect plan. No perfect portfolio. No perfect timing. Just start making things.

• Post that video

• Design that random idea

• Write that piece

Even if it is messy. Even if you think it is not good enough.

Because in an industry where everyone is trying to stand out, the people who actually do things are already ahead. A simple project that shows your thinking is often more valuable than nothing at all

Think of it as building proof of what you can do, not waiting until you feel “ready.”

3. Your Personality Is Your Biggest Asset

The best creatives are not just good at design or marketing, they are curious people.

• Watch films

• Read random things

• Notice details

• Get inspired by literally anything

They are constantly observing the world around them and using that to shape their ideas.

As Gladys Lai, Head of Brand at Vogue, put it:“If you want to do interesting work, you need to be an interesting person.”

So yes, your random obsessions actually matter. The things you enjoy outside of uni or work are often what make your ideas different from everyone else’s.

4. Networking Is Real

Not to be dramatic, but this came up a lot.

• Do internships

• Message people on LinkedIn

• Ask questions, even if you feel annoying

Half the time, opportunities come from:“Hey, I know someone who might be good for this.”

A quick message, a conversation after an event, or staying in touch with someone can genuinely lead to future opportunities.

One panellist summed it up well:

“Ask questions, get feedback, and don’t wait for opportunities. Sometimes you have to ask for them.”

Also, if you find a mentor, hold onto them. Having someone who can guide you, give feedback, and be honest with you is one of the most valuable things you can have early on.

5. There Is No Perfect Career Path

Whether you go corporate, go creative, switch degrees, or take a random opportunity, there is no wrong move.

Everything teaches you something. Everything adds up, even the things that feel unrelated at the time.

A lot of the speakers mentioned that their “random” experiences ended up helping them later in ways they did not expect.

“Don’t feel like you’re stuck just because you started something. You can always change.”

Instead of overthinking every decision, maybe just ask:“Do I actually want to try this?”

That question alone can make decisions feel a lot less overwhelming.

6. AI And Early Roles

Yes, AI came up. Some people love it, some avoid it completely. Overall:

• It is useful

• It makes things faster

• It is not replacing creativity anytime soon

Because at the end of the day, AI can generate ideas but it cannot replace your perspective, your taste, or your understanding of people.

As one panellist explained:“AI can give you the average, but it will never give you something original. That can only come from you.”

Another added:“It’s just another tool. Like any tool, it depends how you use it.”

Early roles? Yeah, they can be a bit rough. You might deal with emails, basic tasks, and wonder why you studied all this.

But those early stages are where you learn how things actually work, how teams operate, and how ideas come together.

If you stick with it, it gets good. Real ideas, real campaigns, real creative work, that is when it clicks.

7. Final Thought

You do not need to have everything figured out right now. You do not need a perfect plan.

You do not need a perfect portfolio.

You just need to:

• Try things

• Stay curious

• Keep going

That is literally it.