Our first vegetarian in the office and currently cross stitching Van Gogh’s Starry Night, it’s Elena’s first week at Advantec and us nosy lot want to get to know a bit more about our new team member!

Elena, our new Digital Marketing Executive, graduated with a BA Hons degree in English Literature & Creative Writing at the University of Winchester.

Firstly, how was your holiday? Do you have any more exciting plans for 2017?

My holiday was incredible, thank you. It was my first trip to Canada (and across the pond). I went to Toronto and ate a lot of Poutine and even braved walking across the glass floor up on the CN Tower – quite an achievement for me as I’m not the biggest fan of heights. I also went to Niagara Falls, which is a sight I’ll never forget. For the rest of 2017, I’ll be learning to Snowboard and I have already recruited Emma (our Senior Content Manager) and Jocelyn (our Marketing Executive) to learn with me. I’ll definitely be falling over most of the time so it’ll be great to have someone to laugh with when that happens. All my efforts will pay off though as I am (hopefully) heading back to Canada this winter to hit the slopes.

What do you do outside of work (hobbies etc)?

I love to be outside as much as possible. At the weekends I’m often off walking along the coast, or hiking along a mountain trail. Last year I climbed Mount Snowden in a storm, which was quite scary. At the top, there was absolutely nothing but cloud to look at so perhaps I’ll have to try again this summer. I love all things literature, and when I’m not up to my knees in mud I love browsing bookshops and discovering new fiction. I have an overflowing bookshelf of books at home that I’m yet to read, and I often get told off by my friends for recommending too many books to them.

What did you graduate in at the University of Winchester? Did you enjoy university?

I graduated in English Literature and Creative Writing last summer. I absolutely loved my course and learning all about the movements and styles which have contributed to its history. Thanks to my degree I now have some niche knowledge which I’m sure will come in very handy in a pub quiz one day. The best thing about my course was definitely getting to meet people from all across the world, and from so many different walks of life.

What made you want to get into marketing?

I used to work for a theatre in Southampton and the marketing team there always fascinated me. Their work always looked very creative and strategic. I worked in the Box Office and I could always see how their work really helped to boost attendance to shows and improve the patrons’ engagement. I pestered them the whole time I was working there to let me help them with their work, and after completing a few tasks I knew it was the career for me!

Is this your first job since graduating? If not, what was your last job and what did it entail?

Before this role, I worked in the marketing team at the University of Winchester. My role was very broad, working on the student blogs, analysing the data from Google Analytics and working on the website’s SEO. There was also an office dog that needed lots of walking and entertaining!

How do you feel about starting at/working at digital agency Advantec?

I’m really excited to start my role here at Advantec and join the team. I’m looking forward to working with the diverse clients that we work with and helping them get the results they’re aiming for. Our office is in a beautiful location, and I’m very much looking forward to sitting by the river and eating my lunch out there in the summer.

What do you most enjoy in marketing? What do you least enjoy?

I like the analytical side of marketing and using data to develop strategies. As a graduate of English and Writing, I also love that marketing lets you be creative with your ideas. It’s great watching your ideas develop from a brainwave to a successful campaign. So far I haven’t found anything I don’t enjoy.

This role entails working with the whole marketing team and taking on a variety of day to day tasks. What are you most excited about working on at Advantec?

I’m excited to learn about all of Advantec’s different clients and working with the marketing team to help contribute to the client’s success. I love being busy and keeping lots of to-do-lists so I’m keen to get stuck in!