This week on Behind the Future, we sat down with Indy Bhogal, Associate Director of Digital at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, to hear how a university student placement turned into an 18-year career at one of the world’s biggest brands.

Indy didn’t get where he is today by following a rigid plan. In fact, he admits he never set out to work in digital communications at all. Starting out as a multimedia design technology student at Brunel University, he applied for a year-long placement with his friends and landed a role at Coca-Cola. On paper, the job sounded uninspiring, but Indy turned it into something much more. He proactively knocked on doors, started conversations, and offered his skills in design, animations and websites. By making himself visible, having conversations with people in the office, and keeping in touch with colleagues even after his placement ended, Indy created opportunities for himself. That proactive mindset, combined with a willingness to take every chance he could get, transformed his career – eventually leading him from placement student to digital director.

In this episode, Indy shares why talking to people is the most underrated skill you can build, and how being proactive can open doors in any workplace. He talks about the importance of relationships in a company of 40,000 employees, why “just being around” can matter more than you think, and what it’s really like working at Coca-Cola.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in a big company, make the most out of a work placement, or why conversations can transform your career, Indy’s story will leave you motivated to get out there and start talking.

Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.

Hosts: Becky Simms & Ruhaan Qudratiyaar

Guest: Indy Bhogal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyshall/

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