In 2015, I joined CX Lavender as a junior digital designer and one of the first ever Genus grads. I was just two weeks out from finishing my uni degree with a few freelance jobs and an internship under my belt, so being thrust into the world of advertising and customer experience was daunting to say the least. Nothing could have prepared me for my first day.

From the moment the elevator doors opened, it was a blur of inductions, introductions, and studying floor plans – how could I possibly remember all of this?

Despite my nerves, my first impressions of Lavender were extremely positive. Everyone I met was passionate about their work and a feeling of creativity resonated throughout the whole office. In the three interviews it took to secure my position I’d gotten a small taste of the culture, and it was just as good once I started working.

In my first few weeks I was taken under the wing of some amazing fellow creatives, some of who I now call my closest friends, and witnessed first-hand the willingness everybody has to help each other out. One thing I wasn’t expecting was the free breakfast, which quickly become an integral part of my daily routine and still is to this day!

I’ve learnt an enormous amount in my time here so far. My technical design and conceptual skills have been challenged from day one and every experience has put my abilities to the test, helping me grow both as an employee and a person.

Within the first few weeks I had been given responsibility for my own projects and become a part of the action, and it’s only been up from there. Over my 8 years at CX Lavender, I’ve designed a chatbot, presented to countless clients, upskilled through multiple courses, been a mentor, developed the look and feel for a new product and campaign, led the visual rebranding of the agency, and more.

I couldn’t have hoped for a better place to kickstart my career. And although I took a year away to explore other opportunities, when I realised CXL was my true home, I was welcomed back with opened arms.

In an industry with an average turnover of around two years, the fact I’ve racked up over 8 speaks volumes to the type of place CX Lavender is. I’ve been supported, nurtured, respected and allowed to shine in my own unique way, ever since that first day in 2015.