Has what you’ve learnt at the FRA helped you?
Lily: Before my degree, I didn’t have the marketing and PR knowledge I do now. Now I can pick up on it, and connect what I’ve learnt in lectures to what’s being done at Truffle. It’s cool to see both the starting process and the end process.
On my course, we’ll plan out ideas and make pitches, but we don’t see the engagement at the end, because our projects aren’t always made for an actual client. At Truffle, I get to see an engagement factor for things that I’ve made.

Do you feel that Lily came to you ready for a marketing role?
Medya: Definitely! I remember when Lily started, it was nice to have that fashion-led approach and way of thinking. My background is in marketing, but not fashion specifically. It's really useful when I ask Lily to make content that she has that knowledge. Campaigns that she’d designed as part of her course could relate to projects she’s done here.
Lily herself brings a completely unbiased approach. We always think what we’re doing is great, so it’s good to get another viewpoint!
Would you recommend doing a work placement?
Lily: It’s definitely worth reaching out to Truffle in the future! They’re really welcoming to their placement students, and use our abilities to the full extent. You’re not going to be getting coffees or photocopying - you’re actually doing stuff that contributes to what clients receive.
In lockdown, I learnt how to do illustrations. Truffle saw that and got me to use it for their clients. It’s cool to see something that I’ve made on a business Instagram!

Any advice for would-be placement students?
Lily: I’d say to go in with an open mind! Sometimes looking at social media or their website won’t tell you the full story. And don’t feel like you're under pressure, think of it as if you are in the classroom. You can speak up and put your viewpoints in! You learn this in your lectures, classes and courses and you can use it in the real world. Get practice using it!
Would you look to take more interns from the FRA in future?
Medya: We defiitely would! At the moment, we’re getting so many enquiries coming in. But for us, it’s about getting people who are happy to speak up and are confident in their abilities and ideas. It’s been very successful with Lily so far, so we’d definitely take someone from the FRA again!
You can watch our full interview with Lily and Medya on our YouTube channel now. All our Level 4 and Undergraduate degree programmes include a three-week work placement with a major brand every year. Applications are now open for 2022, so this time next year, this could be you!