An inside look on the hustle and bustle of the PR world

The challenges and highlights of interning at an award-winning PR agency

My first week of interning at Holyrood PR has been a memorable learning experience, opening my eyes to a career in the PR industry.

After graduating in Law from Edinburgh Napier University, I decided to change my career path and venture down the route of PR and marketing as I developed an interest in writing and creative media relations. This led me to further my studies and begin an MSc in Strategic Communication and Public Relations at Queen Margaret University.

Although enjoying my course, I felt there was a lack of practicality to it and wondered how different the day-to-day working life would be in a PR agency. So, when I had the opportunity to start an internship at Holyrood PR, I jumped at the chance to gain a real insight.

I can honestly say that in the first week alone, I have learnt more about the PR industry than I have in doing almost a full year of my course.

From day one I was welcomed into the team and given responsibility from the get-go. This was frightening but also exciting as I knew that throwing myself in at the deep end was what I needed to gain the important skills for a career in this field.

During my first week, I was given the task of writing press releases for two major clients – Mackie’s of Scotland and Edinburgh First. This was not something I thought I would be given the responsibility to do on my own, never mind in my first week, so it was an amazing opportunity test my skills.

I felt a bit nervous as Mackie’s of Scotland is one of Holyrood PR’s biggest clients, however, with a few pointers and bit of encouragement from the team I got to work. The ability to be creative with my writing was something I have never had the opportunity to do before, especially coming from a Law background. I have already gained invaluable experience that I will be able to take with me throughout my career.

I was also given tasks such as drafting clients’ social media, communicating with clients and being digitally creative on Canva and Photoshop.

After helping draft social media content for a new Edinburgh restaurant Pier Brasserie, it was great to be invited out for dinner and drinks with the entire team at the restaurant, putting some context to the place and food I’d been writing about. Although there may have been a few sore heads in the morning, it was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my first week!

The clients are so varied and all have different requirements, which keeps each day in the office interesting – no two days have been the same so far. Moving into week two I am excited to continue to work on tasks for all of Holyrood’s interesting clients and further my skills and knowledge in the industry.