Academy 2026 Cohort
Julia Jurkowska
DEGREE
Birmingham City University | BA Digital Marketing
“I make content that people actually stop for.”
About julia
What was the route that brought you to Academy by Tribera?
When I was applying to university, digital marketing was the course that stood out to me the most. It was one of the first times I looked at a course and thought, this is something I’d actually enjoy learning. The structure also played a big part; it was a two-year programme with no exams, which felt completely different to the traditional route and exactly what I was looking for.
Once I started, I realised university could be both creative and practical. Through my course, I was able to work on projects that involved building ideas and creating content, which made it feel much more real than just theory.
A turning point for me was during a lecture when Kirstie came in to talk about the Academy. Sitting there, it immediately felt like something I wanted to be part of. The idea of spending four weeks in an agency environment, learning from people who have been in the industry for years stood out to me straight away.
What is it about the creative marketing world that genuinely pulls you in?
What pulls me towards marketing is understanding what actually makes people pay attention. I’m interested in why some content connects and some just gets ignored.
I like that marketing is always changing, which means there’s always something new to learn and improve on.
Why do you want to build your career here in Birmingham?
What draws me to Birmingham is the energy of a creative scene that’s still developing and open to new people getting involved. It feels like a place where you can build real experience quickly and actually be part of the work happening around you.
Where do you want your career to head over the next couple of years?
Over the next couple of years, I want to work in London in influencer marketing, ideally in a creative or strategist role.
What is something about you that has nothing to do with marketing?
I make a banging tiramisu
How has working with AI changed the way you think and work?
working with ai
Working with AI has changed how I approach ideas and research. I use tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to help me explore directions faster, organise information, and develop ideas before I fully commit to them.
It’s made my process more flexible. Instead of waiting for a “final idea”, I can test and refine things as I go, which makes the work feel more iterative and practical.
Where do you think you will thrive?
strengths and focus
I was most drawn to the social and creative side of marketing, especially developing ideas and thinking about how they connect with an audience. I also enjoyed the PR side, particularly how storytelling shapes the way something is received.
That’s where my strengths sit, coming up with ideas and thinking about how they land in real contexts.
Which technical and professional skills have you sharpened during the programme?
KEY SKILLS MASTERED
I’ve built confidence using AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to support research, idea development, and structuring creative thinking.
I’ve also developed practical marketing skills including competitor research, content and channel strategy, and using tools like GA4 and Looker Studio, along with an understanding of Meta and Google Ads.
What kinds of roles and responsibilities are you now ready to take on?
ready for
I’m ready to step into a junior creative or social media role where I can be involved in developing ideas, creating content, and supporting campaign execution. I’m comfortable working across both the creative and strategic side, from early concept thinking through to producing content that’s ready for different platforms.
I can also contribute to research, audience insight, and performance tracking, and I’m confident using AI and digital tools to support faster, more informed decision-making. Overall, I’m ready to be part of a team where I can take on real responsibility and keep building my skills in a fast-moving environment.