As a recent graduate I had no real idea of what to expect from B2B PR and working in an agency.  Having previously worked in Hotel PR on a relatively small scale in Devon, I knew agency life was going to be very different, as well as, of course, living in London! However ready for the challenge, I took the plunge. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all…

With the PR industry growing, it has undoubtedly become one of the most popular and sought after careers for graduates. In fact, it is currently in the top three of the most popular career choices for graduates. This says a lot, and unfortunately has made it incredibly difficult for graduates to break into the industry. Although internships are a great stepping-stone into PR and one of the most conventional routes, they are fiercely competitive and often unpaid. This, of course, makes them inaccessible for many people who can’t afford to work without a living wage.

I luckily got a paid job doing PR for a hotel straight after university by merely picking up the phone and enquiring about an opportunity I had heard about through a friend. Being pro-active and using initiative is essential for getting into PR and will no doubt take you far, as well of course, bags of enthusiasm and a love for writing!

Wanting to work for a dynamic PR agency where the pace is hectic and no two days are ever the same, I was really excited when I got the job as an account assistant at Clareville. I have been here for three months now and already feel like I have learnt so much about business-to-business PR and working in an agency.

From writing press releases, doing research for clients, saving coverage and answering the phone, it is a varied role that has challenged me in many ways. Having to juggle many tasks at once is one of the most demanding parts of the role, and something I have had to get used to quickly, but I enjoy working under pressure and have risen to the challenge. I think working in an agency requires a willingness to turn your hand to anything, the ability to multi task, and a good attitude. It is not a job for the faint hearted, however it is a demanding, exhilarating career that offers many rewards.

Although I studied Journalism at university, as the end of my degree neared I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do. During my work experience at local newspapers I experienced churnalism on a regular basis; news stories merely churned out from press releases with no original investigation at all, and realised just how much journalism has changed. Passive processing of second hand material wasn’t for me, and I decided to use all the skills I learnt during my degree to start a career in PR.

I am so glad I took a leap of faith and went into PR after I had finished university. I have enjoyed every moment of it so far and I am 100% sure it is what I want to do. It is a very exciting time for the PR industry right now and I am really looking forward to see what the future holds.