In July, Charlotte Woods came to Open Comms for work experience. Although she didn’t have long at the agency, she took the time to write a blog about her thoughts on a career in PR. Find out more about her experience and what she thought of agency life below.
Where do I see myself in 20 years? One thing that has always fascinated me is consumer behaviour and how brands become successful. As I grew up, I learned to understand that the key to this success is all about how a brand is marketed, and how a relationship is developed between these companies and their buyers.
This is where PR comes in: an ever-developing industry that allows for creative freedom and encourages the use of imagination in a strategic way to increase audience reach.
As an A-level student, I currently study English literature, Psychology and Media studies – all of which I find to be very stimulating and ingrained with a sense of individuality. These subjects allow me to consider the nature of existence across three different sectors, across different time periods and across different cultures.
Public Relations combines elements of Psychology: delving into how people (especially buyers) think, perceive and process information; English literature, in that creativity and the ability to critical think are valued attributes in PR, with words being a key form of expression; and Media, as studying the contemporary social climate in terms of social media and digital convergence is more prominent now in the PR sector than ever before.
The skills I have gained from my studies thus far have not only set me up well for a career in marketing but have attracted me to the industry.
Behind the scenes
Following a short placement the Open Communications, a PR agency in Wakefield, I had the chance to put some of the theory I had learned into practice.
From my experience, I have come to understand the calibre of skill that is required to be successful within such a competitive, fast-paced position.
The variety of clients across a broad range of industries is something new to me and the versatility of the companies that are marketed by Open Comms ensures that no two working days are the same, with plenty to be busy with.
The diverse nature of the world of marketing ensures that there is always an opportunity for continuous learning, whether this is being exposed to new tools, trends or platforms, such as TikTok.
I do, however, love to learn new things and thrive when doing so, so this felt like a good fit for me.
Building a high level of necessary, relevant skills associated with marketing is very much a product of the environment. The results achieved by the team at Open Comms showcases the benefits of such a relaxed, friendly work environment, which is also an ideal space for creative freedom and general wellbeing.
Communication, being a crucial part of a job within PR, is something that is very effectively done at Open Comms. During my short time here, I have witnessed the productive use of different tactics to deliver a desired outcome.
It is through my experience here that I have come to appreciate the creative talent and flare that this role requires, and it is from the struggle I faced when trying to complete a plan for a client’s social media accounts that I fully understand the key skills involved within this sector – most notably the creativity aspect.
Exploring my options
As I consider the future, contemplating different University options and potential courses (although I am leaning very much towards English Literature), I must consider the final goal and desired outcome, both in terms of career aspirations and general life goals.
I can very much see myself working in an environment such as this one provided at Open Comms, although I cannot be certain that the industry will look the same in five or ten years’ time.
This is both an advantage and disadvantage of working within the PR sector: It allows for flexibility that cannot be found in many other roles, and this means that you never feel stuck doing the same thing each day. Conversely, with the rapid growth and introduction of AI, a degree of uncertainty surrounds the future of PR and how the roles will adapt to this new concept.
So, where do I see myself in 20 years? Hopefully with a degree, a house, a family all on the back of a successful career whether this be in public relations or not. If I do choose this career path, I will embrace the teamwork, creativity and flexibility, and if I do not, I will certainly carry forward with me the knowledge and skills I have learned, both from my studies and from my experience at Open Comms.