Joining See Media in 2020 for my first PR role, I had no idea just how firmly the social policy and stakeholder engagement seeds would take root. Now working in Participation and Engagement at the NHS, I’m pleased to say the industry insights, comms skills and team bond I gained when working at this agency, remain daily essentials in my workplace toolkit.
So, I thought I’d share some of my key takeaways.
Lesson one: Variety is the spice of life!
One day, I was interviewing council stakeholders to understand their perceptions and needs. Another day, I was on a windy street corner trying to get some giant golden ‘3’ and ‘0’ balloons under control, for a photoshoot with a lovely couple who were members of the housing co-op our client had managed for the past 30 years.
Working at See Media, I felt that I could be included in a everything and that everyone in the team was invested not only in making me feel welcome, but also genuinely supporting my growth and keeping things interesting. I feel privileged that so early in my career, I was able to test and hone my skills creating comms strategies, copywriting for many different audiences, calling journalists to pitch news stories and eventually leading on a couple of accounts.
Hand in hand with a full suite of PRCA training, I learnt the value of learning by doing, getting feedback and building confidence across a range of projects. I feel this has enabled me to face each new workplace challenge with a tactical plan and an understanding how to use my strengths and resources.
Lesson two: Start with why
I always knew I wanted to work somewhere purpose driven and creative, but it took me a while understand what that meant and why I felt it suited me well.
Working in a purpose driven full-service PR agency which committed to offering candid advice to clients, I learnt that when your work is driven by purpose first, it enables you to spot gaps and opportunities, see when to go with the flow and when to challenge things. So even when there are trips a long the way, tasks that may feel less exciting or a crisis arises – you can find your way.
Lesson three: What is in a reputation?
At work or sector events, I saw first-hand just what reputation means. Not via media outputs, but in the following real-world impact. I saw it in the way some people would light up at the mere mention my colleagues and the trust that clients would have in my team.
I now understand reputation not in terms of the ‘appearance’ off success, but in terms of displaying integrity and communicating true meaning and value through ‘how’ you move and ‘what’ you do.
Lesson four: Remote and inclusive
Somehow being based in two countries and five cities (at the time), we felt close and collaborative. Our in-person meetings were lovely, but I recall our virtual Christmas parties and regular end of the week games brought laughter and playfulness into a hard-working agency.
When our team won PRCA’s Best Small Agency in the Midlands 2022, I was pleased and proud… but not remotely surprised.
