Marketing and Communications Graduate Review

Coming straight out of university, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from a corporate environment, especially one as large and global as Mace. The six-month rotations meant I was constantly adapting to new teams, new priorities and new ways of working. At times it felt overwhelming, but it also pushed me to grow quickly and figure out what I actually enjoyed within marketing.
Each rotation gave me a different perspective. I got to explore everything from internal communications to business partnering and digital marketing. While I didn’t always feel confident when joining a new team, I always left with more confidence than I started with. I learned how to manage stakeholders, how to write with purpose, and how to contribute meaningfully even when I was still figuring things out.
One of the biggest challenges was learning to trust my instincts and speak up, especially in rooms where I was the most junior. But I also had supportive managers and colleagues who gave me space to ask questions and encouraged me to take ownership of projects. That made a huge difference.

My role was all about learning through doing. I rotated across five very different teams: Operations, External/Internal Communications, Consult Business Partners, and Digital, which gave me a broad view of how marketing works across the business.
Each rotation came with its own challenges. In Operations, I had to get to grips with project managing people who were more senior than me through some quite significant structural changes all while making sure our business as usual performance didn't take a hit. In External and Internal Comms, I worked on everything from internal campaigns to brand initiatives, and learned how writing is so vital in the process.
The Consult rotation was the most strategic, I worked closely with business partners and saw how marketing can influence positioning and opportunities with clients. It pushed me to think more broadly and sharpen my stakeholder management skills. And in Digital, I got hands-on with content planning and analytics, which helped me understand how to measure impact and optimise performance.
What I enjoyed most was the variety. I liked being able to move between creative and strategic tasks, and I appreciated the trust I was given to contribute meaningfully even as a graduate. It wasn’t always easy, but I came out of it with a much clearer sense of what I enjoy and where I add value.

As I said previously, I was trusted by senior colleagues and even leadership in areas and spaces I didn't expect to even be heard. I was able to influence big corporate decisions and even take the leader on global campaigns that the business invested into. I recognise that this must have been a leap of faith for my colleagues and line managers who are held accountable for the results I produced but they all reassured me of an ability to perform that I didn't even know I had.

The compensation for the graduate scheme is defintiely one of the most generous out there, especially for the Marketing industry. Not to mention, we also got pay rises twice per year so it felt like the more we proved ourselves by working, the higher we were rewarded. In terms of benefits, I haven't taken too much advantage of them - healthcare, discounts, etc. so I can't comment much on that.

The graduate role at Mace has given me a strong foundation, especially in understanding how marketing and communications operate in a large, complex organisation. Rotating across different teams helped me build a mix of creative, strategic, and operational skills, and I got exposure to both internal and external-facing work, which is really valuable.
It wasn’t always easy stepping into unfamiliar areas every six months, but that challenge helped me become more adaptable and confident. It also challenged the perceptions I had held previously about which teams would and wouldn't be helpful to work in which proved extremely useful when shaping a better picture of my career path. I can know confidently say I have quite a clear idea of where I want to head towards in the next year to five years. Given I had no idea about marketing or what I wanted to achieve before joining Mace, I'd say that's a great accomplishment to achieve.

Overall, I’d say the support I received was solid, but varied depending on the person or team. My line managers were generally approachable and gave me space to learn, which I appreciated, especially when I was new to a rotation. I felt trusted to take on responsibility, and that helped build my confidence.
My mentor was helpful in giving broader career advice, though we didn’t connect as regularly as I’d hoped. I think more structured check-ins would’ve made that relationship even more valuable. My buddy was great early on, really supportive and honest about their own experience, which helped me settle in.
Support from HR was more process-focused, and while they were responsive when I had questions, I think there could’ve been more proactive guidance around things like training opportunities or navigating the CIM qualification especially as they seemed more focused on supporting the more construction based graduates rather than our small cohort of marketing graduates.

Overall, my work-life balance during the graduate scheme was fairly manageable. The typical working week gave me enough space to maintain personal time and look after my wellbeing, though it varied depending on the rotation. Some rotations were more demanding than others, especially when deadlines were tight or I was trying to get up to speed quickly.
I appreciated that Mace encouraged flexible working and that most teams respected boundaries around working hours. That definitely helped me maintain a routine. That said, because I was new to the industry and eager to prove myself, I sometimes found it hard to switch off mentally, even when the workload wasn’t excessive.

The culture at Mace feels professional but friendly. Most teams I worked with were welcoming and open to questions, which made it easier to settle in during each rotation. There’s a strong emphasis on collaboration and doing things with purpose, which came through in both the work and the way people interacted day to day.
In terms of values, I saw a genuine effort to promote inclusion and sustainability, though how visible that was sometimes depended on the team or project. Hybrid working is well supported, and I appreciate the flexibility, it helps me manage my time better and made the transition from university to full-time work smoother.
That said, the atmosphere could feel quite corporate at times, especially in more delivery-focused teams. I think more informal touchpoints or cross-team socials would have helped build stronger connections across the graduate cohort and wider business.
Overall, the environment is positive and respectful, and I've always felt like I can be myself while still learning how to navigate a professional setting.

Mace does make an effort when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and I saw that reflected in both internal communications and some of the events and initiatives during my time on the graduate scheme. There were campaigns and awareness days that felt thoughtful and well-executed, and I appreciated that different voices and perspectives were given space.
That said, the impact of these initiatives sometimes depended on the team or rotation I was in. In some areas, the conversation around inclusion felt more embedded in the culture, while in others it was less visible day to day. I think there’s room to make these efforts feel more consistent across the business and to create more opportunities for open dialogue, especially for early careers.
Overall, I know that Mace is genuinely committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Yes

I’d recommend Mace to a friend because it’s a place where you’re given space to learn, contribute, and grow, especially early in your career. The graduate scheme gave me exposure to different areas of the business, and while it wasn’t always easy, it helped me build confidence and figure out what I enjoy.
The culture is supportive, and most teams are open and collaborative. You’re trusted to take ownership of your work, even as a graduate, and that makes a big difference in how quickly you develop. There’s also a strong focus on purpose and impact, which comes through in the company’s approach to sustainability, inclusion, and community work.
It’s not perfect (nothing is!), some areas could be more structured or consistent but overall, it’s a solid place to start your career if you’re looking for variety, challenge, and the chance to shape your path.

I’d say the role didn’t fully match my expectations, but in a way that turned out to be positive. When I joined, I was hoping to shape my rotations around more creative work, since that was the direction I saw my career heading. I recently looked back at the original job ad and realised it was titled Marketing and Communications Operations, which I hadn’t registered at the time, yet I only spent six months in Operations.
The scheme itself felt quite fluid, and I got the sense that senior leaders were still shaping it as we went along. That led to a few bumps, but also gave me unexpected opportunities to explore areas I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. While it didn’t align with what I thought I’d be doing, it helped me realise what I actually enjoy and where I want to grow next.
So although it wasn’t what I imagined, I’m glad it challenged my assumptions and gave me a broader foundation than I expected.