When you work in an agency, you’re surrounded by creative communicators who thrive on collaboration and the inherent energy that comes from such a group. You learn by listening to – and simply observing – peers and managers navigate client calls, media interactions and strategy sessions. You’re supported by that look from a colleague on a busy day signaling it’s time to go for a walk, grab a coffee or enjoy a well-deserved cocktail at the end of the day. You celebrate the stellar media hit or “job well done” email from your client with people beyond your team who understand how the small wins add up to great client relationships. You get to know senior leadership by casual interactions in the kitchen, passings in the hallway or at company events. You form relationships with peers and colleagues who end up becoming close friends. These experiences are core to building a solid foundation for a career in an agency. I can say with full confidence that I learned so much from watching and listening to the professionals around me and that is at the heart of any success I’ve enjoyed.
This is why we’ve decided to have our Interns, Coordinators and Assistant Account Executives come back into the office four days a week. Matter is known for growing people from within – we have many people who started here as Interns or Coordinators who are now in management and leadership positions. We pride ourselves on being a place where junior team members have real opportunities to grow their careers and learn from some of the very best. We owe it to them to provide the structure for their professional paths and we firmly believe that experiencing the Agency in person is key to building the foundation for a wonderful, fulfilling career. Not everyone understands this change – and that’s okay – and others have shared how excited they are to re-establish a divide between work and life, to update their work wardrobe, to form closer relationships with their teams and colleagues and more. All we can do is what we believe is the best thing for the junior staff who have chosen to work at Matter – and the investments and decisions we’re making today serve the sole purpose of paving the way for their future successes.