Changing career can mean starting again, but it doesn’t mean starting from scratch. One Havas Platform participant shares how redundancy led her to rethink her career, build on the experience she already had and find a new route into advertising. Her story is followed by more about Havas Platform, the six-month paid programme designed to open up routes into advertising, media and creative careers.
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Katarzyna Leczycka, Paid Performance Executive at Havas: It's never to late to reinvent yourself
I had it all figured out. A solid career in fashion product management, years of experience behind me. Then my role was terminated, and just like that, I was out.
I thought finding something new would be straightforward. It wasn't. I applied everywhere. I wasn't even getting invited to interviews. If you've been there, you know exactly how that feels: it chips away at your confidence.
When the door closes, start knocking on others
I stopped waiting to be picked. I reached out to any organisation that would talk to me. I started volunteering. I got in touch with career support programmes designed to help people restart. Every conversation, every bit of experience, was a brick in a new foundation.
Follow the thing that always lit you up
Throughout my fashion career, I loved working alongside marketing teams. And I was always curious about the digital side: how brands connect, tell stories, reach people. So instead of chasing the career I'd lost, I leaned into the one I wanted to explore.
I qualified through a programme supporting careers in digital marketing. That led to a work experience programme at a global agency. I’m learning as I go and loving it.
Experience isn't wasted - it transfers
Everything I built in fashion: managing tasks & teams, understanding products, critical thinking - didn't disappear. It came with me. Career change isn't starting from zero. It's taking everything you already are and pointing it in a new direction.
The real lesson
When the universe throws nothing but rocks in your path, you learn something important: it's not about the money, the ego, or protecting the title you used to have. It's about accepting where you are, reworking what you've got, and reinventing what comes next.
Life is far too short to cry over spilt milk
So, if you're mid-career and everything you built has been pulled out from under you - you are not finished. You're not too old, too "set in your ways," or too late. The industry needs people with experience from other worlds, resilience, and fresh eyes. Say yes to the small things. Follow what excites you.
You might just find, like I did, that the best chapter starts right after the hardest one.
A door worth knocking on
If you're genuinely curious about working in a busy media agency, Havas Platform can be a real way in. The process is straightforward, and you don't need previous experience - just openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. What really stands out is your attitude, your potential, and the fresh perspective you bring.
Katarzyna Leczycka, Paid Performance Executive at Havas
Masruba Tasnim, DE&I Partner, Havas UK: Havas Platform
Breaking into the Advertising, Media and Creative industries can be a real challenge when every job seems to ask for experience you haven't had the chance to gain yet. That's where Havas Platform is changing the game.
Havas Platform is a six-month paid entry-level programme designed to help emerging talent, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, access meaningful careers in Advertising, Communications, Media and Creative industries. Rather than focusing solely on qualifications or industry connections, the programme is built around potential, passion and a willingness to learn.
More than an internship
From day one, Platformers become part of a real team, contributing to real projects and working with real clients. The programme is designed to provide meaningful work experience that helps Platformers develop practical skills while building confidence and professional credibility.
Whether you're interested in creative, strategy, media, communications, account management, production or another area of the industry, you'll gain hands-on exposure to agency life and see how ideas become campaigns that shape culture and influence consumer behaviour.
Learn, grow and build your future
For many job seekers, the biggest challenge isn't enthusiasm. It's getting a chance to learn.
Havas Platform combines practical experience with tailored career development. Platformers receive role-specific training, personalised learning opportunities and ongoing support designed to help them succeed in their chosen discipline. The Platform programme focuses on helping talent to develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
This commitment to learning is especially valuable in an industry that is constantly evolving. As media channels, platforms, technologies and consumer behaviours change, the ability to learn quickly and adapt is often more important than previous experience.
Networks that open doors
Careers are built on relationships as well as skills.
Throughout the programme, Platformers have opportunities to connect with colleagues, peers and industry leaders. These connections provide valuable insights, mentoring opportunities and professional networks that can continue to support career growth long after the programme ends.
For early careers talent entering the workforce, building these relationships early can make a significant difference to long-term career development.
Support beyond the job description
The programme provides Platformers with dedicated pastoral support throughout their journey.
Every Platformer benefits from a dedicated buddy, support from the Platform programme manager and access to wellbeing and mental health initiatives. This holistic approach helps ensure Platformers feel supported both professionally and personally.
The wider Havas Village culture also places a strong emphasis on wellbeing, learning and personal growth, helping create an environment where people can develop sustainable and fulfilling careers.
Who is Havas Platform for?
The simple answer: anyone who is curious about brands, culture and communication.
You don't need to have studied Advertising. You don't need industry connections. You don't even need to know exactly which career you want. What matters most is your enthusiasm, creativity, curiosity and potential to grow. The programme was specifically created to help talented people overcome barriers to entry and access opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.
The chance to apply four times a year
If you're ready to turn your creativity, curiosity and passion into a career, Havas Platform could be your platform to do exactly that.
It's not just a six-month programme. It's an opportunity to gain real experience, build meaningful connections, develop industry-relevant skills and discover where your future in Advertising, Media and Creative industries could take you.
Four cohorts a year:
- Roles open on 17 November 2026 for February 10 London Cohort start
- Roles open in February for April London cohort
- Roles open in April for Manchester June cohort
- Roles open in August for London October cohort
Masruba Tasnim, DE&I Partner, Havas UK
Explore opportunities designed to help you discover the advertising industry, gain experience and start your career.
The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and were submitted in accordance with the IPA terms and conditions regarding the uploading and contribution of content to the IPA newsletters, IPA website, or other IPA media, and should not be interpreted as representing the opinion of the IPA.
Last updated 10 November 2026