It’s one thing to land an internship; it’s another to turn it into a career shaping the digital landscape of the open web. At Taboola, it’s always rewarding to see an eager intern thrive and join the team full-time, and Esra Üstün is no exception.
Once an intern, Esra is now an Advertising Account Manager based in our London office, helping clients navigate the complex digital advertising landscape with expertise and flair. While her growth from student to professional is impressive, we think she explains her journey—and her role—much more colorfully. Read on to learn how Esra transitioned from university student to a valued member of the advertising account management team, and what she enjoys most about life at Taboola.
From Bayes Business School to Taboola
Esra’s Taboola journey didn’t start with a cold application. While studying for her MSc in Management at Bayes Business School, she joined a university-organized trip to the Taboola office.
“This wasn’t just a general visit,” Esra recalls. “It was an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with the culture and the people. When I applied, I could reference specific insights about the company’s mission that I had understood from having been to the office.”
That genuine enthusiasm paid off. Esra transitioned from a student of International Relations in Istanbul to an intern at Taboola London, setting the stage for a career at the company that has already lasted three years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Navigating the “Coloring Book”
So, what does an Advertising Account Manager actually do? While her day-to-day involves deep-diving into performance data and collaborating with Product teams to test new features, Esra has a much more vibrant way of explaining her role:
“Imagine the internet is a big, magical coloring book. I help people who have really cool stickers—like pictures of new snacks or toys—find the best pages to put their stickers on so everyone can see them!”
As a “Sticker Specialist”, Esra acts as a trusted advisor for large advertisers, ensuring their “stickers” ( or campaigns) reach the right audience at the right time and achieve the highest possible ROI.
Growing Outside Her Comfort Zone
Esra’s transition from intern to full-time team member was fueled by Taboola’s culture of trust from Day 1. Esra credits her growth to being encouraged to lead client meetings and take ownership of accounts early on.
Thanks to Esra’s eagerness to learn and her team’s support, she has grown from an intern just learning the ropes to a trusted client-facing strategic partner – fluent in three languages (soon to be four!) and confident in navigating complex digital strategies.
Outside of her core role, Esra is a leading member of Taboola Inspire, an employee resource group dedicated to championing the company’s values of Learning, Building, and Caring. By organizing initiatives focused on mental health, charity, and fitness, she’s found a way to add tangible value to the office culture.
“Taking on this responsibility outside of my day-to-day work has been incredibly rewarding,” Esra says. “It’s allowed me to give back while strengthening my leadership skills through cross-functional projects that truly matter to the people here. The diversity and community at Taboola create an inspiring environment that challenges me to think differently and aim higher.
Inside Esra’s World
To power through her busy days, Esra starts her mornings with a coffee, although Turkish tea always holds a special place in her heart. A global citizen, Esra is fluent in Turkish, French, and English, and is working on adding Spanish to her toolkit. When she isn’t mastering a new language or optimizing campaigns, you can find her enjoying the perfect London weekend: exploring the city and discovering good food with friends.
Esra’s Pro Tip for Career Starters
“Take advantage of every opportunity to build your network. Go to as many events as you can—you never know when you’ll cross paths with those people again. And find a mentor! Having someone in your corner helps you grow with confidence.”
