As one chapter comes to an end – another is just beginning

By Catriona Quinn

I’VE enjoyed my time at Holyrood PR so much, I think I’ll stay a little longer.

I am beyond excited to be joining the team as a Junior Account Executive on a part-time basis until I complete my Masters later this year. The combination of study and work is a balancing act but I believe this opportunity at Holyrood PR will be a fantastic kick-start to my PR career.

Plus, there are things I have learnt over the past four weeks that I simply could not have in my 17 years of traditional education. In my final week as an intern, for example, I was lucky enough to be involved in a really exciting project with Scottish Water.

Raymond, Catriona, Craig, Sebastien and I travelled through to Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow for an event celebrating Scottish Swimming’s Learn to Swim initiative with the support of Scottish Water.

Despite the tropical climes of the poolside, we kept our cool and took pictures and videos with the children, parents and coaches involved in the Learn to Swim initiative, telling us why they felt it was so worthwhile. No amount of classroom teaching would have prepared me for this! But it was a fantastic day out and a huge learning experience about the organisation of PR events.

I have been immersed into the workplace and gained invaluable experience from the professionals who I am now lucky enough to say I work with. The team at Holyrood have taught me a great deal about the kind of practitioner that I’d like to be: hardworking, focused and creative, with a level head and a sense of humour. So if you’re joining as an intern, listen to their feedback, be observant and ask for help.

Four weeks working integrally as part of a company also means that there is less unfamiliarity when I go into work in the morning. I know my way around the office, I can almost successfully navigate the huge shared company files and folders, and I know what everyone likes in their tea and coffee. Small things like that can make a huge difference to your experience.

By far, the best thing about making the move from intern to employee is the way it doesn’t feel like much of a transition at all. I feel like part of the team already.

Would you like to follow Cat’s footsteps with our proven PR internship?

If you have the passion and the core skills for expert public relations – and want a taste of agency life – get in touch with our intern recruitment team, using the form below: