We welcomed graduates Cathy King and Olivia Bedford to gain work experience at our Cambridge office. Here’s what they told us about life at CPL One.
What have you gained from work experience at CPL One?
Cathy: It has been incredibly valuable. It’s given me the opportunity to see first-hand how a content marketing agency works. As someone just starting out in my career, it has been both eye-opening and inspiring to witness how CPL One approaches developing content in a marketplace that is constantly evolving.
Olivia: I’ve done work experience elsewhere and it usually involves following people around and watching what they do. Here it’s been more hands-on, which I’ve really loved. I’ve been given an opportunity and been able to run with it. Everyone’s taken the time to talk to me. It’s been amazing.
What kind of work did you get involved with?
Cathy: I gained experience in both editing and writing. Proofreading for the editorial department gave me an insight into how content moves between client and editor before reaching the final publication. I also got to sit in on both company and client meetings and see how pitches are built and how departments collaborate. It gave me a much clearer understanding of how the whole business operates. Each person has a unique role, but there are also a lot of crossovers between teams, which makes the final product truly collaborative.
Olivia: I got to look at content for some theatre and opera programmes, updating last year’s listings with new names and descriptions, and rewriting a short editorial piece with a fresh spin. I also looked at some of the content for membership clients, which I found fascinating. I realised that the editorial process can be quite cyclical, but there’s always something different to look at and there’s always something that keeps it fresh.
What did you learn about content marketing?
Cathy: One of my key takeaways is how the company balances modern marketing with a respect for long-form copy, which is encouraging to see in the digital age dominated by instant information. CPL One focuses on meeting people where they are, giving them information when and how they want it, while also providing space for deeper, more detailed stories. For example, helping more traditional organisations modernise their communication while still respecting their approach.
Olivia: For me it’s about the value of the written word. Personally, I still love a hard copy of a book or magazine – I love having that physical thing and I put more trust in words in print than words on social media. But I can see how they need to work together. You can use social media in smart ways, as a tool to help you get messages out. People use social media to connect, it’s more informal, and it can help create and maintain relationships with audiences. One of CPL One’s clients is a charity, and we were looking at how YouTube videos and podcasts could help them spread the word and share advice about living with a particular condition. For younger people, especially, it would be a great way of spreading awareness.
Cathy: My time at CPL One has shown me how dynamic and exciting the content industry can be. I’ve learned that nothing here is formulaic, every client needs a unique approach and that adaptability is at the heart of good content. More personally, this experience has given me practical skills, creative confidence and a clearer understanding of the industry in which I want to build a career.
How would you describe the culture here at CPL One?
Olivia: It’s made me realise it’s not just about the work, it’s also about the environment in which you work. From my first day, everyone was kind, warm and respectful. That’s helped me feel comfortable and to value my own skill set. If I’ve had questions or needed a second opinion, I’ve been able to go to people – younger and older – and ask for help. It’s about having that level of respect and trust.
Cathy: What stood out for me was the supportive and encouraging culture at CPL One. I never once felt I couldn’t ask for help, whether about a specific task or for advice about future career steps. The team went beyond day-to-day guidance, even offering tips on presenting myself in interviews and preparing for the next stage of my career. This atmosphere really captured CPL One’s ethos of ‘helping people belong’, something that comes across not just in their client work, but in the way they treat their colleagues too.
