Trying to decide between agency or in-house life? Here’s an honest take on the pros, cons, and what it’s really like working in a fast-paced agency like M3…
Whether you’re fresh into your marketing career or considering a switch, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is this: Should I work in-house or join an agency?
There is, of course, no one right answer to this question to suit one and all. But having worked on both sides of the fence, I wanted to break down the real-life pros and cons to help you figure out where you’ll thrive.
1. The Pace: Welcome to the Rollercoaster (In the Best Way)
Agency life is fast. If you’re someone who likes to juggle multiple clients, think on your feet, and shift between sectors (we're talking cardboard boxes to fintech to diamonds in a week), then you’ll probably love it.
The upside? It’s never boring. You’ll learn quickly, gain exposure to a huge variety of briefs, and you’ll build the kind of resilience and adaptability that sets you up for long-term career growth.
The flip side? It’s demanding. There’s real pressure to deliver, a constant need to learn new things, and nowhere to hide if you’re not up for it. But if you're the type who enjoys a challenge, you’ll probably thrive.
2. Collaboration and Learning: You’re Not on Your Own
At M3, our paid media team alone has 10 specialists, each managing up to 12 clients – from £2k to £250k+ a month in spend. That means you’re surrounded by people who know their stuff, and you learn from each other every single day.
One of the best things about agency life is how much you grow just by being around sharp, driven people across creative, SEO, dev, social, and more. If you're curious and proactive, you'll absorb more in one year than some people get in five.
3. Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Let’s be real: working in an agency can feel like theatre at times. You're often presenting to clients, explaining results, or pitching ideas. Early on, that can feel daunting – especially if you struggle with imposter syndrome or haven’t found your voice yet.
In-house you’ll have the time to craft your skills without the pressure of a client’s expectations and need to present results and ideas every month.
But here’s the good news: we help you get there. At M3, we encourage everyone to present monthly reports internally, do ‘Meet the MD’ sessions, and get used to owning the room. It’s tough love at times, but it builds confidence fast – and you will find your voice.
4. Imposter Syndrome? We’ve All Been There
Seriously, everyone feels it at some point. You might sit in your first agency meeting and think: ‘Should I even be here?’
You should. We all start there. The difference in agency life is that you’re in an environment where you’re constantly challenged and supported to grow and thrive. Whether it’s internal peer reviews, spontaneous brainstorms, or presenting to a client for the first time, you’ll keep levelling up.
5. Tools, Training and Support: We’ve Got You
Larger agency environments tend to offer more built-in learning than in-house roles. Why? Because it’s in our interest to keep our teams at the top of their game. At M3, we invest heavily in tools (we’re talking five figures a month) and always keep people sharp with training, knowledge shares, and mentorship.
On the other hand, I’ve personally had more tailored development plans in-house of what I want to focus on rather than the agency or clients’ needs. In-house, you get the time to potentially go deep into unexplored areas.
6. The People Make It
We don’t just work together – we build together. Our internal systems were built by the team, for example. Our culture is very definitely co-created. And our flexible working model is designed to go with the grain of people’s whole lives: we run a 3:2 hybrid model – set office days, and flexibility for the rest.
And when we say collaboration, we mean it. Everyone from junior execs to heads of department has a voice here – on client calls, pitches, and team decisions.
So… Should You Work Agency Side?
Here’s the honest take:
- If you want a predictable 9 to 5 with slower change, in-house might suit you better.
- If you want variety, fast development, and to become a sharper, higher tailored expertise marketer – agency is where it’s at.
Yes, it’s intense. Yes, the pace is real. But the rewards are big too. From the skills you build to the confidence you grow. And at M3, we work hard to make it not just rewarding, but supportive and fun along the way.
Thinking about making the move?
Whether you’re new to the industry or ready for a switch, drop us a line or check our latest roles. We’re always on the lookout for bright, curious people who want to make great work happen.
