Q&A with Ivy Madoc Jones, Digital Intern at Freshwater

Ivy Madoc Jones, 22, from London joined Freshwater in October 2025 on its newly launched Bart Haines and Lisa Durston Internship Programme. The programme was launched in Spring 2025 in memory of two much loved former colleagues of Freshwater, who are sadly no longer with us.

The internship programme provides an opportunity for two eager individuals, who are keen to get their foot on the career ladder in marketing and communications. It was established as a way of honouring Bart and Lisa, who were both exceptional role models and whose names are helping to inspire those just starting out in the industry.

Ivy has joined Freshwater as a digital intern on the Bart Haines internship placement. We sat down with Ivy to see how her first six weeks at Freshwater have been.

 

Tell us a little bit about your internship placement at Freshwater.

I’m part of the digital team at Freshwater, where I support and deliver a variety of online campaigns for both clients and internal projects. My role involves using online platforms to help bring these campaigns to life, as well as working with digital analytics tools to track performance and provide insights into how campaigns and websites are performing.

 

What were you doing before you joined Freshwater and how did you hear about the internship?

I graduated from Cardiff University in 2025 with a degree in Business Management with Marketing and was getting some work experience over the summer while looking for graduate roles. I came across the Freshwater internship on LinkedIn, and it immediately stood out as an exciting chance to build my digital marketing experience and work with a diverse range of clients. I was already familiar with Freshwater, as a friend had completed an internship there and spoke very highly of the experience. This made me even more eager to apply.

 

How did you feel when you found out you were successful in securing the placement?

I was thrilled when I found out I got the position. The role was an amazing opportunity, and I felt that Freshwater was an organisation that would really support me and give me the most out of an internship.

 

What sorts of things have you done so far? And what have you learned?

So far, I’ve been getting to grips with creating online campaigns and using digital analytics tools to track performance, measure conversions and produce clear, insightful reports. I’ve learned how to use a wide range of platforms and software that I hadn’t encountered before, and I now understand the level of detail and insight they can offer. I’ve also had the opportunity to attend several marketing events and panel discussions around Cardiff, which has been invaluable for expanding my industry knowledge and building new professional connections.

 

What have been the highlights – and what have been the challenges?

One of the biggest highlights of my internship has been the opportunity to learn how to use new software and tools, especially those for reporting on campaign and website performance. I’ve also really enjoyed getting involved in setting up digital campaigns and seeing how each element comes together.

One of the challenges has been getting to grips with platforms like Google Analytics and Looker Studio. Learning how to pull the right data and interpret it accurately can be complex, but since I will be doing it a lot throughout my internship, I’m sure it will become easier over time.

 

What have you got lined up over the next few months?

Over the next few months, I’ll be continuing to build on everything I’ve learned so far. I’m looking forward to developing my skills further by taking on more training in the digital tools and platforms I use day to day, particularly in areas like campaign setup, reporting and analytics. I’ll also be working on a wider range of campaigns, giving me the chance to apply what I’ve learned and gain more experience in creating, managing and evaluating live projects. As I become more confident with tools, like Google Analytics and Looker Studio, I’m hoping to produce even more in-depth reports and insights. I’m excited to keep growing my skillset, take on new challenges and contribute to even more of the team’s digital work.

 

What do you hope to do after the internship has finished?

I’ve really enjoyed working in the digital team and would love to continue working in that area. I would love to stay at Freshwater, but if not, I feel the internship will give me a strong foundation in key digital marketing skills and tools, and I’m confident I’ll be well-equipped to continue my career elsewhere.

 

What benefits do you think the internship has given you personally?

The internship has made me feel more confident in my abilities and decision-making. I have also developed a broader skillset, gaining experience with a wide range of digital marketing tools and software. I’ve also gained practical experience in creating and reporting on live campaigns, which has strengthened my understanding of how marketing projects operate from start to finish. Overall, I feel like I have a much deeper understanding of the digital marketing world and how it functions in practice.

 

Would you recommend an internship to anybody else in your position? What advice would you give them?

I would absolutely recommend an internship to anyone in my position. It’s an excellent way to gain experience in the industry and to discover which areas you genuinely enjoy. An internship gives you the freedom to learn, make mistakes and explore different paths without the pressure of already having everything figured out.

My advice would be to stay open-minded and throw yourself in the deep end. By trying new areas, you naturally start to understand what you enjoy and what you don’t, which is incredibly valuable for shaping your future career direction.

 

When you’re not at Freshwater, what do you do in your spare time?

When I’m not at Freshwater, I love exploring Cardiff and the wider South Wales area. I’ve really enjoyed living here and I’m always on the lookout for new places to visit and new restaurants to try. I also spend a lot of my free time discovering new music and seeking out smaller gigs and events.