Amanda’s Placement Diary

It feels surreal that I am more than halfway through my placement. From nervously entering the office on Day 1 to confidently editing monthly e-newsletters and leading projects, this year has changed me in ways I’m only just beginning to understand.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I can adapt — and fast. Whether it was picking up new software (looking at you, InDesign), filming TikToks for a world-class orchestra, or figuring out what to do when a campaign didn’t go to plan, I’ve proved to myself that I’m resourceful, creative, and a quick learner.

I’ve also discovered how much I love working in the arts and culture sector. I used to think I’d end up in only advertising (not that there is anything wrong with that), but being surrounded by music, storytelling, and creative collaboration every day has sparked something deeper in me. I’m happiest when I’m working on something that means something and the LSO showed me I could do exactly that.

Preparing for Final Year

This placement has done more than give me experience, it’s given me direction. I now know what kind of creative I want to be: one who’s thoughtful, community-driven, and not afraid to try new things.

As I head into my final year at university, I’ll carry with me:

• Confidence in collaboration — especially since my final major project will be a paired creative brief.
• Organisation tools — including my Trello board, Teams calendar, and trusty daily to-do list (my holy trinity of staying on top of everything!).
• A deeper sense of purpose — I want my work to uplift, connect and inspire, just like the music I’ve been surrounded by this year.

Thanks to my time at the LSO, I am feeling more at ease about writing my dissertation. I now feel far more confident in my research skills from analysing digital campaigns and artist content to understanding audience behaviour. I’ve learned how to dig deeper, ask the right questions, and reflect critically on what works and why. Combined with my now well-oiled organisation system, I know I’ll be able to structure my research and writing process effectively. I’m no longer intimidated by big projects as I’ve managed real ones all year!

My New Goals

Looking ahead, here’s what’s on my radar:

1. Get involved in more artist/conductor filming — I’ve found I love content creation in more personal settings
2. Explore PR and comms — I’ve had a taste of it, and I’m excited to learn more about storytelling from a publicity perspective
3. Attend more concerts — both for fun and inspiration. Every performance I’ve seen has reminded me why I love this industry.
4. Continue networking — I’m still part of the Creative Access Springboard Programme, and I want to make the most of those resources and events

This blog has become more than just coursework. It’s become a space to process, to reflect, and to celebrate how far I’ve come. From sourcing my placement through Creative Access, to being trusted with real campaigns, I’ve learned that I am very open to working this industry.

I used to think I had to have everything figured out before I was “ready.” But now I know that showing up, being curious, and staying kind (to others and to yourself!) is what truly makes you grow.

So here’s to the next chapter. I have no idea what it holds, but I’m excited to live it.

Love,
Amanda xoxo

A collection of the LSO concerts I have attended ~

Timeline of key events ~

Find me on LinkedIn

How I’ve Changed

When I started, I second-guessed almost every creative decision. Now? I trust my gut.

One thing that’s boosted my confidence is the appreciation I get from my current daily line manager, Barbara, our Senior Digital Communications Manager. She often thanks me for my work on TikTok and those little acknowledgements mean the world. They make me want to push my ideas even further.

I’ve also become more self-aware. I now understand what environments I thrive in: collaborative ones where ideas are welcome, where mentorship is present, and where creativity and strategy go hand in hand. I’ve realised I really enjoy being in arts marketing, not just because I get to attend free concerts, but because I get to tell stories, connect people to culture, and be part of something that matters.

Here’s a little before-and-after:

Before:

• Unsure how to send a press release
• Nervous about scheduling public-facing posts
• No experience with email platforms or CMS tools
• InDesign = terrifying
• Hadn’t touched TikTok professionally

After:
✓ Confidently send press releases
✓ Schedule content across multiple platforms on Sprout Social
✓ Familiar with Charity Digital, InDesign & Spektrix
✓ Create monthly email newsletters
✓ Run TikTok content from filming to publishing
✓ Comfortable using the website CMS daily

Growth isn’t linear and it’s not always loud. Sometimes it looks like sending that slightly scary email. Other times, it’s quietly realising you can now do something that once terrified you. For me, the glow-up wasn’t just about what I learned, it was about believing I could learn it in the first place.

Challenges + What I Learned

This year definitely wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were moments where I felt overwhelmed from juggling campaigns, meeting deadlines, and battling creative block (especially during busy concert periods).

Organisation became my lifeline:

• I wrote daily to-do lists in my trusty notebook
• Used Trello to track long-term projects
• And lived by my Teams calendar for meetings and reminders.

There were times I missed deadlines — and I’m so grateful that my team was flexible and supportive when that happened. I’ve learned it’s okay to ask for help and that making mistakes is part of growing.

One key strategy I’ve picked up? Breaking projects down into smaller, manageable chunks — and not being afraid to block out time for deep focus.

This year has been filled with projects that pushed me creatively and professionally. Some of my favourites include:

1. Running LSO St Luke’s Social Media

One of my biggest projects this year has been taking the lead on the LSO St Luke’s Instagram, Facebook and Threads accounts. When the venue closed temporarily at the end of 2024, we had to rethink our strategy — how do you keep your audience engaged when your physical space is out of action?

This taught me so much about:

• Strategic communication: I wasn’t just posting pretty pictures. I had to think about audience expectations, tone of voice, and what content was actually useful during a closure.
• Creative autonomy: I pitched my own content ideas (such as performance throwbacks and community features) and learned to trust my instincts when scheduling posts or tweaking captions.
• Analytics: I got into the habit of checking insights regularly and thinking critically about what works and why. I love being creative, but I’m starting to enjoy the data side too — weird, I know!

This project was a turning point. It showed me that I could be more than just a helper, I could lead something. It also gave me confidence in presenting my ideas and being proactive when things were unclear.

Check out my work for LSO St Luke’s: Instagram / Facebook / Threads

2. Filming Content with Sumina Studer at the Serpentine Gallery

Another standout moment? Attending the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship evening at the Serpentine Gallery and supporting the content shoot with violinist and influencer Sumina Studer.

This experience helped me:

• Build confidence in engaging with artists in a professional way — a skill I’ll carry into future filming sessions or LSO events.
• Understand the intersection between influencer marketing and classical music, something I hadn’t even thought about before.
• Develop on-site problem-solving skills. Things moved fast, so I had to be adaptable and calm.

At first, I felt a bit out of place surrounded by musicians, LSO patrons, and arts professionals. But once I got into the flow, I loved it. Helping set up shots, checking lighting, and capturing social-friendly content in real time. I felt like I was in the creative process, not just adjacent to it.

The content I helped Sumina shoot: Instagram / TikTok

3. Designing the Print Programme for Half Six Fix

This one still makes me emotional. When my original daily line manager, Meg, left the LSO at the start of 2025, I was trusted with a major responsibility: designing the print programme for our Half Six Fix concert, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

It wasn’t easy. InDesign and I had a love-hate relationship, but I learned:

• How to work with layout templates and manage print deadlines
• The importance of tone, hierarchy, and accessibility in printed materials
• To ask for help when I need it. Nathan, our Marketing Manager, was so supportive, reviewing my work and helping me polish it before it went to print.

This project showed me the emotional side of growth. I was scared to step into someone else’s shoes. But I did it and I’m proud of the result. It reminded me that being “ready” isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being willing to learn on the job.

Each experience taught me that creativity isn’t just about visuals. It’s about communication, strategy, collaboration, and empathy. I now see myself not just as a student doing a placement, but as a valuable contributor to an organisation.

Starting My Placement

There’s no other way to say it. I was buzzing. The idea of working at the Barbican, a massive hub of arts and culture, felt unreal. Getting my staff pass and walking through the building for the first time? A core memory.

Everyone was so welcoming, especially my first daily line manager, Meg, who instantly made me feel at home. Starting in such a prestigious organisation felt intimidating at first, but their warmth melted those nerves away.

I quickly had to get up to speed with a bunch of new tools:

• Charity Digital for email marketing
• Sprout Social for social media scheduling
• The LSO’s website CMS WordPress
• Plus picking up Shorthand

I adapted to a professional tone, figured out where the kitchen was and started getting used to office life! From day one, I was learning on the job — and soaking every moment of it.

Sourcing My Placement

It took me 7 months of applications before I started getting consistent responses. So trust me when I say the placement search isn’t always cute. I tweaked my CV a hundred times, crafted endless cover letters, and still often heard nothing back. But things changed when I started asking for help.

I reached out to my DPS mentors and suddenly… things clicked. In just one month, I had several offers lined up:

• Paris Baguette (thanks to a contact from one of my advertising tutors)
• Tea Rebellion (sourced through the DPS newsletter)
• And of course… the London Symphony Orchestra, which I found through Creative Access.

I ultimately chose the LSO because it felt aligned with my passions. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was little, and the idea of working behind-the-scenes at an orchestra excited me, especially in an office setting where I could grow creatively and professionally.

Creative Access was key to this opportunity. They’re an incredible organisation that helps people from underrepresented backgrounds access job opportunities within the creative industry. I’m now part of their Springboard Programme, which offers mentoring, workshops, masterclasses and ongoing support. Honestly? Game-changer.

I attended the induction session for their Springboard Programme, which was hosted at the ITV Studios in west London. It was such a cool opportunity to meet the creative access team and other young professionals who were trying to break into the creative industry.