My First Month at FindAUniversity
James joined our Student Engagement Team as Senior Content Creator in June, taking a lead role in creating and optimising our student-facing guides, blogs and newsletters. We asked him to reflect on his first month in the role, what he’s been up to so far and his goals for the future!
I’ve always loved creating things. Since I was a kid, I’ve found solace in inventing games, making up songs in my head and playing around with words. My fascination with language as a whole is ultimately what’s led me to FindAUniversity.
I found my way into the world of SEO around 2017, knowing hardly anything about it. I knew it had something to do with Google – but that’s pretty much it. Turns out, it’s a fulfilling way to scratch my linguistic itch!
However, SEO is much more than writing content. It’s a data-driven, technical world that, at times, felt more like web development to me. That’s exactly why the role as Senior Content Creator at FAU appealed so much to me. It seemed like a way for me lean into my niche – content – while being able to use my SEO knowledge.
After a more-nervous-than-usual interview from myself, I was pleasantly surprised to learn I got the job.
Starting out
I’ve said this to many colleagues, friends and family members, but my first week at FAU was the best first week I’ve had at a job. There are plenty of reasons for this:
- All my tech was ready to go
- I had a ‘what you first day will look like’ email waiting in my inbox
- There were meetings scheduled with people from teams I’d be working closely with
- I had daily meetings set aside with the head of the team
- Several tasks were already there for me to start (if I had time)
- I wasn’t overwhelmed with information and/or tasks
I guess some of this won’t seem groundbreaking, but it was far better than anything I’d experienced prior. In truth, FAU is a company that’d been on my radar for a while (I’d unsuccessfully interviewed for before) so to finally be there felt like an accomplishment in itself, and the onboarding experience surpassed my expectations.
My role
My role lets me play to my strengths. So far I’ve done a little bit of everything that I love about content and SEO. I’ve been writing guides and blogs, content planning, copyediting and proofing, creating newsletters, conducting keyword research and looking at SEO recommendations for content – all of which allow me to reach into my digital marketing bag of tricks.
I’ve really enjoyed the autonomy that’s come with the role. I feel like I can come in and out of different tasks as I see fit – as long as deadlines are met. I’m also totally comfortable throwing ideas in the ring during meetings and workshops despite being new to the postgraduate world. One of the biggest compliments I can give to the team at FAU is how they’ve truly fostered a culture of collaboration where no idea is ever unwelcome or shut down. Being new to the industry is almost seen as an advantage – this speaks volumes to the environment at FAU.
Looking to the future
There are a few short-term goals I’ve set myself and I’m looking to tick these off in the next couple of months.
First, since I joined the company towards the end of Q2, I’m hoping to make significant contributions in Q3 now that I’ve fully settled in. I already have a few objectives against my name and I’m confident I’ll be able to take the necessary action to ensure these are met.
My manager and I have set some milestones for me to reach within my first 90 days at FAU and I feel confident I’ll achieve these. Goal setting is another thing I find incredibly useful as it lets me track my own progress against what’s expected of me.
All in all, I’m very excited for what’s to come next. I hope to share my knowledge with the rest of the team, and vice versa, so we can reach our goals together.
You may also like...
Life at FAU: My First Month in the Team
Our new Junior Insights Director, Jack, reflects on his first month in the role.
Last minute courses: how to promote your Masters courses throughout the summer
How to make the most of the last-minute postgraduate application window!