Hannah Skulnick
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom
Degree: BA Advertising and Marketing, 2015
Content & Marketing Manager, Embryo Digital
Why did you choose to study at LUMS?
I chose to study at LUMS due to its superb reputation, both in terms of staff and support, as well as the opportunities to work on some great projects. I was fortunate enough to work with Saatchi & Saatchi in my third year, a project among others that I thoroughly enjoyed.
What was the best thing about your course?
The best thing about the course was the variety, as I wasn't just constricted to marketing modules. As much I loved modules such as 'Brand Strategy' and 'Advertising', I also enjoyed, 'Socio-Cultural Approaches to Advertising', 'Media', 'Psychology' and 'Facebook, Twitter, and Political Revolution' as they widened my knowledge in subjects that I've always found engaging.
Did you do a project, placement or study abroad? What did this involve and what did you gain?
For my third year, 'Research Consultancy' project, I completed a project for Saatchi & Saatchi for their client, Head & Shoulders. In a group of 6, we had to create the basis for a viral campaign that incorporated a social experiment. This included questionnaires, focus groups and campaign development, as well as a report and presentation. Due to the amazing people I worked with and the support from our course tutor, I gained greater confidence in my abilities and appreciation for different ways of working.
Describe your time at LUMS in three words
Important. Life-Changing. Home.
What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?
The best thing about Lancaster was that no matter how tough a particular module may have been or what else was going on, there were always people there to help. Whether it was your friends, your academic tutor or even someone you just happened to meet, everyone was always so friendly and supportive. It certainly helps that I was doing a course I was passionate about, that I was vice president of the Barnardo's Society - a charity close to my heart - and feel I made the most of my time there. No wonder I decided to stay an extra year for my MSc!
Which parts of your Lancaster experience were the best preparation for your job?
Through learning the fundamentals in the lecture theatres and gaining first-hand experience by working with real clients, I feel the whole course has impacted the way I work and the skills I bring to any job I've ever had. It really was a well-rounded course.
What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?
After my undergraduate, I decided to stay at Lancaster for my MSc in the Psychology of Advertising, where again, I was lucky enough to work with brilliant people and complete a project for the charity, JDRF. I then went on to work as a copywriter at Venn Digital, creating website content and blog posts for some very well-known clients, before joining Embryo Digital as Content Strategist-turned-Content & Marketing Manager. Overall, Lancaster helped me develop the skills I needed to get to where I am today, and for that, I will always be grateful.