As an incoming university finalist looking towards the future and searching for opportunities that the real world has to offer, I feel exceptionally lucky to have experience working in PLMR’s Westminster office. Aside from the excitement of walking past the Houses of Parliament every morning, PLMR has shown me multiple avenues through which I can expand my horizons both professionally and personally.
In terms of my prior expectations for the PR industry, I had a vague impression of public relations as a more socially conscious version of advertising; a method of influencing public opinion without paying for a double-page full colour spread in the local paper. Having worked with PLMR for four weeks across their range of teams, I am pleased to say that my starry-eyed vision of PR as a force for public good has remained intact.
This is largely due to the genuinely lovely and motivational atmosphere that PLMR has cultivated for anyone that comes across the business. I’ve traversed the entirety of PLMR’s different teams. From working with a housing services client campaigning towards an upcoming ballot for local residents in Lambeth, to sitting in on calls with a fascinating ‘shareholder activism’ client based in America, I feel like I’ve been exposed to a wide and truly stimulating array of projects. None of this would have been possible without the painstaking care that has been taken by all of PLMR’s employees to guide me through processes and teach me about the most fundamental aspects of PR. I’m immensely grateful for the time these busy people have taken out of their day to train me!
In particular, I’ve learnt lots about myself and my own interests from this experience. The age-old adage that is perennially recited to students looking for professional experience: ‘stay up to date with current affairs’, is something I have truly taken to heart over these past four weeks. In every single team I’ve been a part of, there’s been a step in the process that necessitates a deep-dive into the FT, Economist or New Statesman. Working in PR essentially requires you to become a more well-rounded and knowledgeable person. Secondly, I’ve unlocked a newfound passion for all things ESG related (shoutout to PLMR’s specialist energy and sustainability team!). They’ve shown me that what I previously considered to be a deeply personal commitment to the environmental cause can be so much more. Within a communications agency such as PLMR, I’ve realised that I can learn about fascinating industry clients while still providing them with the critical writing and research skills that have been integral to my educational career.
Finally, I would like to thank the Taylor Bennett Foundation, who have made my step into the communications industry hugely accessible and has given me an amazing base to navigate my future career. My time at PLMR has been really precious, and I hope this isn’t the last that they will see of me!
