PR Placement | Trading newsrooms for media releases

A new chapter for Eve in the graduate placement programme with Holyrood PR

THERE’S something about being far from home that can have you feeling both unsettled and uncertain. But for the most (and better) part of it, you’re on the edge of your seat ready for the next adventure.

That’s the most straightforward way to describe my experience in Edinburgh since I moved from my small rural hometown of Timaru, New Zealand, in late January of this year.

As a former journalist, I had always appreciated my relationships with communication and PR professionals. Whether it be a last-minute case study or a connection to an influential official, they’ve been a godsend when things go sideways – more often than you think.

This is a large part of what drew me toward the public relations scene, knowing that I could bridge that gap between journalists or the general public and those who want their story told. It was that, and the opportunity to let my creative juices flow a bit more freely, that led me toward Holyrood PR.

Much like the Scots when it comes to the difference between an Aussie and Kiwi accent, I had a lot to learn about PR before I made the career change.

Holyrood’s PR graduate placement programme has provided the best learning environment in my first week. Before my week had even started, the team already had me well prepared with an hour-by-hour week schedule, a placement bible and multiple how-to guides.

The team’s supportive guidance paired with their expertise made it a seamless experience to learn the ins and outs of their systems and styles.

While it was all well-structured, no two days have been the same. In my first week, I attended an event with Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, at Bield’s Tech Hub in Linlithgow which aims to make aged living more accessible and independent. I also led a client call ahead of writing a media release and contributed to team brainstorms for upcoming campaigns.

Upon applying for the graduate placement with Holyrood PR, one thing which drew me toward the agency was their focus on people and placing interesting, relatable and influential people at the heart of many their campaigns.

It’s something that the agency and I have in common – a love for people and their stories – and I mentioned as such in the interview process.

When the team offered for me to take the lead on a client call due to the client’s people-centred key messages, I knew they had taken the time to remember my ‘why’ and cater my learning experience to fit it. This assured me I was in the right place and my learning journey ahead would be the right one for me.

I’ll be truly honest, when I walked out of my interview with the Holyrood PR team, I initially thought I’d botched it. Butchered, flopped, blundered.

I was quite sure I’d go back to waiting tables and taking orders at my local restaurant while crossing my fingers (and toes) for the next opportunity to come along. So, it’s easy to say that I was stoked when I was offered the role with Holyrood PR.

Not only has my first week taught me how to write a memorable press release, create an impressive success post or pitch a convincing proposal, but also to back myself in moments when I’m unsettled or uncertain, because there is likely to be another adventure patiently waiting just for me.