September 4th makes it one year since I started working at Ketchum and PR to be honest.
I can’t believe it’s been a year, but at the same time, I can see the growth. I’ve grown so much. I’ve learned so much. It’s giving…who’s that girl? Na na na na na na na na na na. Who’s this girl? Um. It’s been an incredible experience, and I thought it would be good to share the lessons I’ve learned especially for graduates interested in the industry, or looking to make a career switch, or transitioning from freelance to the corporate world.
Seatbelts fastened!
To give a bit of context – I studied law and eventually pivoted to freelance journalism. I ran a blog and a podcast for a number of years and kind of still do now with my site, Motunday. So my background is very creative, and writing has played a part in my life. So by virtue of freelancing for a number of years, I never really got to experience the corporate work structure. I’ve always sort of worked from my laptop, worked from home. I have done a few jobs in person, but nothing related to PR.
So coming into the work world, I didn’t intend on working full time in PR but, I got approached by a recruiter at Ketchum and they were hiring for a PR account coordinator role. I had no idea really what PR was. I was like, yes – I could see if this is something I wanted to start a career in. I came in with the trial and error mindset, and didn’t expect to stay for a year.
A year later I’m like, I really did this!
You grow and learn so much in a year
Do not underestimate how much you can grow in a year. I now understand why people ideally get promoted every year, because the amount of knowledge you consume in a year, the amount of knowledge you learn, the amount of, um, experience you have within a year from knowing how to create decks to knowing how to present in meetings the confidence you acquire, um, knowing how to deal with different personalities, um, empirical, knowing how to write a good pitch, knowing how to, um, knowing what constitutes a good selling, um, knowing how to handle when your pitch is not landing and knowing how to, you know, switch up your pitch or build good relationships with journalists, knowing how to, um, hone in on reporting and measurement and tracking and, you know, different elements of your work in agencies that you’re working with different clients at a time, different expectations. And, you know, so you learn so much in a year and, um, yeah, you become a whole new person. It’s just amazing to see the growth, you know, makes it all worth it.
You have to learn how to navigate the corporate work structure
The corporate world is a textbook that you have to learn page by page. Um, I’m an introvert. So coming into the corporate work, work structure was, um, it’s a bit daunting for me, especially coming to a, you know, um, quite a big agency like Ketchum. Um, I mean, dealing with so many people around me, um, the awkwardness, social awkwardness, not having friends. Obviously, I didn’t settle down into Ketchum until, like, six months later. So like January, February when I also had a new, um, essay join. And we got really friendly and we worked well together and I started, you know, making more friends Um, but it took me six months, um, of coming into work, not knowing where to say hi, or to keep quiet or to sit next to or, you know, getting all their small talk and their jokes here and there and socials and drinks. I don’t drink as well. And, you know, it’s just there’s just the work dynamics you have to learn and you have to know how to adapt to it. So I think every day you learn, you learn how to be different, to deal with different personalities. You learn how to, um, when to keep y, when to talk, what socials to go for, when to assert yourself. For example, when speaking with clients and internal internal meetings, you know when to assert yourself and show that you know you know your work, you’re doing your work. Um, the whole idea of just doing my work and dipping doesn’t really work in the corporate, um, world. You have to show that you’re a team player. Sure. Your team has to get to know you and put a good relationship with you, and they can vouch for you. And eventually, hopefully, they can promote you and they can recommend you for new opportunities and stuff like that. So you have to learn how the corporate, um, world works One day at a time. And just be a sponge and absorb everything you can.
You learn more about yourself and if this is the career for you
After a year, you sort of have an idea of, is this for me? You know, and I’ve gone through so many days where I’m like, is this for me? Is this not for me? Do I pivot, you know, into a more content focussed role? Do I move to marketing? You’re young, you have so many opportunities, but with so many opportunities coming, so many decisions and you know, but, um, I think one year working in PR agency level is good. You know, it’s really established. Okay. This is something I want to do. This is fun. These are some elements I like. So you get to know more about yourself. You get to know more about your industry which is good. And then after a year you can decide, okay, this is not what I want to do. This is what I want to do. So it allows you to see for yourself whether you like the career or not.
These are the key things I’ve learned so far and will probably update as time goes on.
Bottom line is that in the corporate world, everyone is fighting for a place at the top; fighting to be recognised, fighting to be noticed. Um, not everyone is going to be the nicest to, and everyone is definitely not going to be the warmest to you. You have to assert yourself. You have to fight for what you fight for what you want. Fight to be heard. If you do not like something, speak up. If you do like something, speak up. If you like a particular responsibility, say I like it. I would like to do more of it. I would say that having a good line manager really helps – someone who’s invested in your growth and someone who makes sure that you’re doing what it is you’re doing more of what you love to do, and you’re growing and thriving.
No matter how junior you are, you are valuable
For us juniors, it’s easy to feel like we don’t belong in the room or are certainly not needed. You walk into a meeting room and you’re seeing all the senior leaders of the team articulate themselves so confidently, and come up with such great creative ideas. And you’re probably thinking…”I could never, I don’t belong here!”
Well, you do. Your value might not be bringing ideas to the room but it might be coordination of the meeting itself; making sure the room is booked, invites are sent, taking good notes, preparing talking points for execs.
You have value. The truth is that most, if not all the people at the top will NOT be able to survive without the people at the bottom.
We run ish. We run the shit. We hold things together. We keep things from falling. And when they do fall, we often take the blame and have to deal with it.
So never think you’re not valuable or not needed, you are. It’s a matter of understanding what that value is and remembering it as you climb up the ladder…and sometimes reminding those at the top of the value you bring, lest they forget.
Drinks play a huge role in the UK work world
Work drinks in the UK are something else. I didn’t realize how important they are. Or like, how much or how much of an importance people place on them. Um, the UK drink culture is crazy. Every day, like every Thursday, it’s drink, drink, drink!. And just like we all need to chill. Like I don’t even drink.
And it’s not like people are pressuring you necessarily to drink alcohol. It’s more. It’s just like I’m social is not really my thing. Can I just go? I’ve spent eight hours with you guys. Why do I need to spend an extra? Why do I need to spend my evening at night with you guys? Like I’ve given you eight hours. That’s it, you know.
But the social elements here, they really place a huge importance on, I guess, the social element. So that’s something you have to get used to. If you’re not someone who drinks, you have to find, you know, other ways to keep the fun going. Maybe a mocktail that makes sense and I learned how to make small talk, even though everything I think in my opinion is very fake. Hahahahaha! No one really means what you know. Everything is just very surface level, but you have to sort of, you know, go with the flow, play the game and dip, you know.
Overall, Ketchum has a great work culture. I love the flexibility. I love the inclusive environment. I love that there’s no micromanagement. It has a very collaborative work culture. Obviously like every place it has its flaws, but I’m really blessed to have started my career off at a really good agency that has allowed me to grow, feel comfortable and included.
I’m excited to see what’s next for me. One year down in PR, um, many more to go, hopefully.
