Unlocking Pathways: My Journey at Codex as Part of DCU Access to the Workplace

As part of my involvement with the DCU Access to the Workplace programme and my final year studying Media Studies and French at Dublin City University, I have been enjoying a placement period at Codex for the past three months, which has all too quickly come to an end this week.

It was back in April when I submitted my CV as part of the DCU Access to the Workplace application process and received contact about possibly working at Codex as a Summer intern. Codex has been a member of DCU Access to the Workplace since it first launched in 2019, and having heard recommendations from both my lecturer and previous mentees at Codex, I knew that joining the #ClubCodex team would be hugely beneficial to me as I enter my final year of study.

I have always been interested in marketing, advertising, and branding as potential career moves. I love marketing as it enables me to use my creative side in many aspects. After graduating, I would love to work in social media and content creation. From a personal perspective, I have considered starting my own blogging channel to keep my friends and followers updated on my daily life and experiences. I also enjoy learning about and discussing important issues like race in media and how the role of women has redefined society. So, social media has always interested me because it combines my personal and professional interests.

Regarding the Media Studies and French course I am currently enrolled in, I have always been interested in media production. While during my secondary school education, I thoroughly enjoyed learning French. So, this was the perfect course for me to combine both. It also means that I can focus on progressing in a career in media should I wish to pursue that while continuing to parler Français!

Bridging Theoretical Learning with Real-World Experience

Before starting at Codex, I had two main objectives that I wanted to achieve. The first objective was to understand the practical side of marketing and how it is used in the working world. Until this point, I had just learned about the theoretics of marketing in lectures. So, I was eager to see the practice of marketing first-hand. The second objective was to gain insight into the real working world and adapt to the lifestyle of forging a career.

I was given multiple opportunities to achieve both objectives during my placement.

My first day felt like a dream, and I could not believe I was there. It consisted of a lot of introductions and information. It took a lot of work to keep up as there was a lot to grasp!

However, thanks to my mentor, Gerard Healy, I quickly adapted after a while. He gave me a rundown of how it works in the office, and I was grateful for all his advice regarding adapting to the new environment and team dynamics. It really helped me settle into my placement. Under his supervision, I always had something to do. I was given advice concerning project ideas and always felt heard during daily check-up calls. I am very grateful for his council and mentorship throughout.

Codex has a very relaxed, friendly, and calming atmosphere, which also helped me settle in during the first few days. Everyone was very welcoming and genuine. Some even gave me advice as well, which I took on board. I remember thinking how everyone was excited; everything they did was with a smile. I loved how everyone helped each other as well.

Exploring Diverse Marketing Experiences and Unexpected Discoveries at Codex

One of the most enjoyable marketing tasks I completed during my placement was web testing Codex’s new website interface and navigation update. This involved analysing the website, highlighting any faults or glitches and reporting these to the eCommerce Manager. My observations were then used to improve the website’s overall function and appearance.

I was also given the opportunity to attend the Open Doors Initiative Annual Report Launch at LinkedIn HQ with the marketing team. The Open Doors Initiative resonates with me, and it was inspiring to see people in similar situations as I succeed professionally. Attending this event also gave me a real insight into the networking and events side of marketing, which I thoroughly appreciated.

I also enjoyed participating in the launch of Codex's first-ever Environment Week and Q2 Company Day training workshop on EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion). The EDI training helped me understand how to act and come across in a professional work environment, as I found it hard to comprehend professional work culture. From a personal standpoint, it was very informative about how to treat and address your co-workers.

Other additional tasks that I enjoyed were the workplace culture and sustainability reports that I carried out that will go toward improving culture and sustainability efforts within the company.

However, quite unexpectedly, my time in the finance department was one of my favourite highlights during my three-month placement. Learning the ins and outs of trade invoices, successfully posting an invoice, and amending errors every morning was something I particularly enjoyed. I have always been good with numbers but have never been interested in a career focused on numbers and data. Working with Maria on the accounts payable team has changed this, and I am keen to explore some potential career avenues involving working with numbers.

All these experiences have helped me hone skills like attention to detail, observation and critical writing, to name a few.

Gaining Insights, Growth, and Gratitude: Reflecting on Three Transformative Months

The past three months at Codex have been nothing short of an eye-opener and highly impactful, to say the least. My time at Codex has given me a glimpse of how my working life will be in the future. I feel like I am prepared for when I get my graduate job as I have become accustomed to the lifestyle. However, that is not to say that the adjustment period was always easy. The shift from having a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant to a full-time job in an office is extreme. That said, I am glad I was exposed to it early so I can adjust to it now rather than in the future after graduation.

My placement has also taught me a lot about myself that I would have never realised if I did not participate. Initially, I came to Codex with a set mind of what I wanted to do career-wise. However, I am leaving with a different career path in mind, which I would have never thought I would enjoy or be good at.

I want to say a big thank you to all the incredible people at Codex, especially to Gerard Healy, for all his assistance and support. I would also like to give an honourable mention to some of the colleagues who guided me throughout my internship, including Maria Cowap, Jackelin Winnett and Rachel Smith. I am grateful for all the advice, mentoring, and laughs I have had over the three months. I hope our paths cross again in the future.

It is hard to summarise all the key learnings I take away from my time spent at Codex as there are so many, but one that stands out the most is knowing that people like me from less fortunate backgrounds have the support to succeed professionally. Codex has also opened me up to new career opportunities as I have learned that you may only know that you are interested in certain avenues once you experience them first-hand, much like my time in the finance department.

I now look forward to returning to college to complete my degree and take my recent learnings and experiences with me. I also look forward to plans for a gap year, including time in France to improve my French!

Áine’s Mentor and Codex Head of IT, Gerard Healy, expressed his gratitude for Áine’s time at Codex, saying:

"Working with Áine has been an absolute pleasure. Combining attention to detail, diligence, and a can-do attitude has really set Áine apart. I see a high ceiling of career progression for Áine, and I look forward to watching as Áine smashes through it!"

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As a forward-thinking company, Codex believes in investing in the future generation, providing them with invaluable opportunities to grow and succeed. We are committed to nurturing young talent and empowering them to thrive as they progress, and our partnership with DCU Access is a testament to this.

Learn more about CSR at Codex and our partnership with DCU Access.

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