I decided to go into my first week of my internship with no assumptions about what it would be like, what I would do, who I would meet, etc. I have been fortunate enough to land myself a placement at The Communications Store (TCS) based in London - a full service public relations agency specialising in fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle. The basic research I did of the agency was enough to tell me this firm was a big player in London's public relations industry. Despite the fact that the agency is dominated by the fashion sector, the beauty team is still an impressive and fast paced environment to work in, some clients including Burberry Beauty, John Frieda and Molton Brown.
My first week was really about getting to know the place and all the girls I'm working with (literally a room full of forty females - give or take a few gay men) and actually, I feel like this has been a hard task for me. I had in my mind that all I needed to do was work hard, produce good work and remain professional at all times. Though I have come to realise that the public relations industry is more about people skills than I ever thought - my next task is to 'fit in' with all the girls naturally, on their terms. For example, the emails I sent to begin with were quite formal - dear such and such, kind regards Jessie - but I have had to accept and adapt to the way they all communicate with each other. This often involves a lot of calling each other 'babe' (I'm yet to partake in this) and ending emails with xs. I am aware this was never how we were taught to conduct ourselves in the real world, but the reality to me is that I will be alienated if I don't catch on. I have decided I can prove myself as a professional in other ways, such as always completing tasks on time and to a high quality, and going above and beyond what is expected of me.
I digress. You're probably not too interested in my reminiscent year 8 playground issues. More importantly, I've first and foremost had the opportunity to see how a real PR firm works on a day to day basis, and to be honest it really amazes me how things just get done. One day I'm asked to post a bunch of John Frieda products to a popular blogger (my second home is the post room) and what do you know, the next day it's up on the internet in high circulation for the world to see. Less than a week later we're compiling a stack of editorial to show to the client, and once that's done, it's just full steam ahead into the next week.
It really is so exciting working in public relations, and actually working in a legitimate agency has re-ignited my passion for the whirlwind profession which is media. Stay tuned to hear about my first official press release (moving up in the world!)
I hope you're all remembering to enjoy your placement, and stress less :)
Jessie.
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