Strive Notes

So I am coming close to finishing my first month at Strive Public Relations. It’s scary and slightly daunting in many aspects, but I also feel the more I am here the more I learn, and so far I think things are going well.

It’s fair to say from the off that I have a LOT to learn, and although my university degree is a stepping stone it is not all you need. So to anyone who assumes that because you have been to university and have a degree you have some sort of excuse to jump to the top, you will need to rethink! Experience counts for a lot so get ready to work hard, it’s about proving yourself.

However, in defence of a student, others can also be guilty of making assumptions about us too. Like how much we actually know about PR, for example. We don’t all think a degree gives us special rights, I certainly don’t. I have come straight from university and make no secret of saying I didn’t really know what I was going to do in this job, or how to do it. I need help just like anyone else, after all the real learning has actually only just begun.

For instance, at no point during my course was I taught how to write a news release. And so when asked on my first week to write press materials, to say I was petrified would be a huge understatement.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of being thrown in at the deep end at Strive PR. I am told the more I do, the more I will learn and the more I write, the better I will get. I completely agree, and think I have improved since day one. But still, I’ve an extremely long way to go. I will make mistakes, but as long as my mistakes are not held against me I’ll feel comfortable enough to keep trying.

Some of the things I have learned so far are:

Know the client and what they like: I struggled recently with a press release because I don’t have enough knowledge or if am honest, interest in the company. This is something I will then have to learn to overcome but again something I will pick up as I go along. It doesn’t apply to all clients and there are other aspects I am very knowledgeable on because I have done more work for some than others.

Remember the basics: Like I said earlier, you are not expected to know things you don’t and when these things are explained, remember them. There will be many ups and downs, but keep at it and keep asking questions along the way. It will take time but I will find my way in time.

I could go on forever with my thoughts and feeling on my first few weeks but I won’t. I’ll leave it there and until next time simply try hard, and hopefully improve.

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Filed under: public relations