Two weeks at 3x1: A first look at agency life

Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to undertake work experience at 3x1, an integrated communications agency specialising in public relations, public affairs and digital marketing. Going into this experience, I was excited but also unsure of what to expect from agency life beyond what I have learnt at university.

From day one, I was welcomed into the team and encouraged to get involved in real client work. This immediately made the experience feel so rewarding, as I was able to see the work I was contributing to fit into wider campaigns and strategies. Stepping into this agency environment showed me just how fast-paced, varied and collaborative the work truly is.

This opportunity to get involved in real work for clients was definitely one of the highlights of my time at 3x1. I got the chance to support campaign ideas for major brands, giving me valuable insight into how brands are positioned and communicated within such competitive markets.

What stood out to me was how much strategy sits behind the creativity. Every piece of content and every angle is carefully thought out, not just to engage audiences, but also to align with wider campaign goals. It was great to see how ideas move from concepts to execution within an agency setting.

Alongside this, I carried out competitor and market research for a range of clients. This involved analysing how different organisations communicate, identify trends and spot gaps in the market. It quickly became clear how important research is in shaping effective communications and how it builds the foundations that everything else builds upon.

Another key part of my experience was being able to contribute to pre-election research. Coming from a background in social and public policy at university, this was particularly interesting for me and definitely one of my favourite tasks I got to work on. This involved reviewing Scottish party manifestos in detail, focusing on policy positions across key sectors such as energy infrastructure, healthcare and public sector spending.

This was where public affairs really came to life for me. Seeing how political insights is translated into practical advice and strategy highlighted the role agencies play in helping organisations navigate an ever-changing and evolving external political environment.

Beyond individual tasks, this placement gave the opportunity to develop a range of skills and get a variety of different training sessions from the team. I gained exposure to how public inquiries are handled and insight into how media training is delivered to clients, developing a clearer understanding of how organisations are prepared to engage with the media effectively and confidently.

I was also introduced to a variety of tools and platforms used across the agency, from media databases to platforms used to monitor content and communications. This reinforced to me how essential digital skills are within the industry.

At the same time, I have developed core professional skills such as time management, adaptability and attention to detail. Working in an agency means juggling multiple tasks and responding quickly to new priorities – something I was able to experience first-hand.

A big part of what made the experience so positive was the team. From day one, everyone was so welcoming, supportive and willing to share their knowledge. It made a real difference in helping me feel part of the agency rather than observing from the sidelines.

The collaborative culture within the office was something that stood out to me. Whether it was team discussions, idea generation or day-to-day work, there was a strong sense of everyone working together and helping one another to deliver the best outcomes for clients.

These two weeks gave me a much clearer understanding of what a career in communications, PR and public affairs - particularly in an agency setting - looks like.

It showed me how research, strategy and creativity come together and how public affairs plays a crucial role in helping organisations respond to political and societal changes.

Most importantly, the experience has confirmed that this is a career path I am genuinely interested in pursuing. The fast pace, the variety of work and the collaborative environment are all aspects that really appeal to me in my future career.

As I look ahead, my time at 3x1 has given me both valuable experience and confidence in my career direction.

It has been an incredibly insight two weeks and I want to extend my biggest gratitude to the whole 3x1 team for making this such an amazing two weeks and helping throughout the time.

- Amy Clark-Hutchison