June 07, 2023
I never had a “dream job,” and I definitely had no idea what I wanted to do with my life as an 18-year-old trying to choose a career path in college. I knew I loved writing and using words to make an impact, but journalism or an English degree didn’t feel like the right route at the time. Thus, I entered the world of public relations without really knowing what it was.
If you’re facing the same decision, whether you have a passion for public relations or you’re just curious to learn more, keep reading. After several years of working in public relations, this is what I wish I could’ve told my younger self about this career path:
There’s not much room for “faking it ‘till you make it” in the world of public relations, and not only is that okay, but I believe it’s one of the greatest growth opportunities anyone could have. From learning how to communicate honestly about a crisis to working with brands to help them boldly showcase their messaging, you will find that getting in touch with your own truth is vital to bringing out the truth in others.
I can’t tell you how many times I failed at a project or didn’t know the answer to a client’s question, and I learned how important honesty was to building meaningful connections and producing valuable work. Stepping into your own voice is contagious, leading everyone around you to look inward and proudly step into their voice too.
Whether you work at an agency or with an internal team, it’s no secret that public relations is a busy, fast-paced career that comes with a lot of excitement! It also creates the perfect opportunity to practice boundary setting. If you have trouble drawing lines around your work and personal life (hello, you’re in good company!), you’ll learn very quickly how vital it is to speak up for yourself and manage your time well. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. And the best part is, learning how to set boundaries clearly and kindly will benefit you in every other part of life too.
One of the reasons I got into public relations was in the name: relationships. Whether you’re more of an introvert who prefers one-on-one interactions or an extrovert who loves the idea of commanding a room (or somewhere in between!), you’ll find endless opportunities to meet new people and form lasting relationships, all while learning what it takes to make them thrive. At the core of public relations is people, and that will always stay consistent. If you value relationships and making genuine connections, chances are you’re going to be in your element in this career.
No one knows it all, from senior executives to PR newbies. If it seems like people in leadership positions have that magical aura of confidence surrounding them, it’s not that they were somehow born with it. Rather, it comes from years of practice. It’s true that nothing boosts your ego quite like the first time a media outlet agrees to cover your story or when you successfully deliver a project a client raves about, but don’t overlook the little moments to increase your confidence.
Seemingly small efforts like deleting unnecessary apologies from your emails, clearly speaking your opinion in a client meeting, or going up to someone new at a networking event are all ways to nurture your confidence and boldly show up as yourself. While I’m not sure practice ever makes perfect, you’ll find that it does make a lasting difference both in and out of the office.
Another one of my favorite things about this career choice is the constant change. While that may sound stressful to some, I think it’s a beautiful reminder that there’s always something new to learn in life. From ever-changing social media algorithms to brand-new software, there’s always room to grow in every position.
As someone who no longer works at a public relations firm, I can still say with confidence that I’m glad I chose this career. From improving your writing skills to effectively managing client relations, you’ll learn many valuable lessons that will open doors wherever your career path takes you. It’s amazing to see all the different jobs my former classmates have ended up in, from teaching to working in law to starting their own businesses — all of which use the priceless skills taught in PR.
Written by Molly Menning