Surviving week one in a public relations agency as a total PR rookie

PR first-timer, Natasha Cutler shares her initial thoughts of an award winning Scottish public relations agency.

WITH the toil of exams not long behind me it was time to swap the traditional student attire of general dishevelment, with a new slightly more sophisticated look – office wear.

Having so far studied three years of History at the University of Edinburgh, naturally I was clueless to what working in a public relations agency truly entailed.

Whilst I consider myself to be a driven and tenacious person who enjoys working with a variety of people, I was still unsure of what career would allow me to combine all these qualities together. Hence, when I found Holyrood PR, I was dead set on discovering what they were all about.

Despite first day jitters, one week down and it’s safe to say – it’s been a blast!

Each day has consisted of a diverse array of tasks, from updating the website with the latest press releases and image galleries, to newspaper sweeps and contacting clients via email and phone call. Thanks to the careful planning and organisation of the amazing team, each new task would require just a bit more responsibility, allowing me to gradually grow with confidence rather than feel overwhelmed and paralysed.

Alongside the support of the most welcoming and encouraging professionals I could have possibly hoped for, within my first couple of days I was given autonomy over a media montage. As someone who is by no means tech savvy, Photoshop was an intimidating concept to me. Nevertheless, after a solid hour of asking questions, trying and failing – and trying again – I finally got the knack for it. It was overcoming challenges like this that were most satisfying, especially when admiring the glossy end result on the company website.

The office environment is relaxed yet focused with all team members more than happy to lend a helping hand at any point.

As the week progressed I found I was getting into the flow of the working day in a PR agency a lot easier. This also included the public relations style of writing, a language all in itself. I was finally beginning to wrap my head around the lingo, the difference between a media release and a media coverage report, as well as Holyrood PR’s extensive list of passionate clients.

What I had previously worried about was the dreaded fear of writer’s block, something that I find worsens when you have someone over your shoulder. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find I could write freely and at ease, entrusted with a number of assignments to keep me enthused.

Overall, the week has encouraged me to conquer a multitude of phobias. Having once actively avoided anything even remotely techy I have since grasped Photoshop, written my first press release and overcome my phone phobia.

At the end of the day there really is only so much that Wiki can tell you about careers. When it comes to actual life experience, I would suggest that it is imperative to throw on your best Zara Basics work shirt (approved by Mum) and hit the ground running in a real working environment.

I am thrilled to see how the rest of my time here at Holyrood PR will pan out. One things for sure – no two days are the same.