Starting a placement is one thing. Contributing to real client work from day one is another. Caitlin Lanigan, a third-year Business with Marketing student at Robert Gordon University, has joined AB Fiftyone for a 12-week marketing placement in Aberdeen, getting stuck into social media, SEO and strategy from the outset.
Caitlin’s route into university hasn’t been the traditional one. After completing two years at college, she progressed directly into third year at Robert Gordon University to study Business with Marketing, a path that gave her a strong practical foundation before stepping into degree-level study.
Working remotely throughout her placement, Caitlin is already involved in live client work across the agency. From supporting social media content to carrying out competitor analysis and contributing ideas for campaigns, she’s gaining a clear understanding of how digital marketing works in practice.
The experience has also brought a new level of responsibility. Without the structure of an office, she has had to quickly build a routine, manage her time effectively and stay proactive in her communication with the team.
“It’s been a big step up from university,” she said. “You’re working on real campaigns, not just theory. Managing your time is a big part of it, especially working remotely, but it’s helped me become more confident and take more ownership of my work.”
Alongside content and research, she is developing her understanding of SEO and user experience, learning how visibility, engagement and performance connect across digital channels. It’s a combination of creative and analytical work that is shaping her view of where she wants to take her career.
As a digital marketing agency based in Aberdeenshire, AB Fiftyone focuses on giving placement students real involvement in client work. Caitlin has been part of the day-to-day from the start, building practical skills that reflect the pace and expectations of agency life.
Pamela Miller, Founder of AB Fiftyone, said: “Placements at AB Fiftyone are about real involvement, not observation. We expect students to contribute from day one, because that’s how they learn what actually works in a live marketing environment.”
As her 12-week graduate placement in Aberdeen continues, Caitlin is building a strong foundation across content, strategy and digital performance, setting her up for a career in modern marketing.
AB Fiftyone continues to support students looking to gain hands-on experience through graduate marketing placements in Aberdeen, helping bridge the gap between education and industry.
