From Pies to PR – Making the Switch from Hospitality

Blog
Written by Stuart Milne

PR Intern EdinburghI’ve spent my adult life between the rock of hospitality work and the (not very) hard place of academia. I’ve loved elements of both but, having completed my masters and taken up work as a chef on two continents, I was no more found than when I made the long trip to Oceania 9 months ago.

So, I found it refreshing, rewarding and ultimately satisfying to be in work where I genuinely felt I could be comfortable for years to come.

I’ve never worked in an office before, excluding sporadic bouts of menu formatting and excel ingredient entry, so as I hopped on the bus to Leith for my first day with Holyrood PR I found myself with a very grown-up excitement to do structured, directed office work.

If I had been anxious that this would lead to dull tasks, I shouldn’t have worried. Within an hour I was sat in the weekly meeting with the team and being delegated work to keep me eternally busy, using software I’ve never used for tasks I had no idea existed.

By the end of the first week I’ve written countless media coverage uploads as well as a couple of press releases that have since been picked up by print and online press. Having done internships before I have made my share of cups of tea and have been pleasantly surprised to find that agency director, Raymond, has offered me as many hot drinks that I have to him.

Every member of the team has been helpful and friendly and tolerated the barrage of questions fired at them every day positively.

What I have found most interesting are the opportunities for creativity every day. Writing releases and uploads affords regular chances to write something a little different from the last. I’ve also witnessed the silly side of PR artistry with the plan to create a mini celebrity complete with deerstalker, mutton chops and sovereign rings… Guess Who?

PR Intern EdinburghThings are set to get even more exciting. I’ve been in the office less than a day this week and I’ve already more than doubled my tally of press releases, found out that more papers have picked up the ones I wrote last week and been told that I’ll be working on a social media campaign unlike any I’ve been involved with before.

I’m used to the early mornings, getting up to make bread, or eggs for 30, but I’m less used to being really interested in what lies ahead. I’ve always loved to write and the Holyrood internship has broadened my experience; writing blogs, releases and coverage uploads.

I’ve spoken to newsdesks all across the country in different sectors, at different levels, chasing up coverage and pitching stories. The more I do, the more I want to do and the more the team are willing to delegate to me. Every day offers something new and extends my responsibilities and my experience.

Earlier last week I sent a blog out from one of the team about seizing internship opportunities while you’re an undergraduate. I couldn’t agree with the sentiment more, I missed out and I’m glad I’m catching up.

I’ve been given a taste for PR work and can’t wait to sink my teeth in to even more over the next three weeks.


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