We love supporting the next generation at PLMR. Sixth form student James Davies joined us for a week’s work experience in our Coventry office last month, as he was given a crash course in PR and communications.

This summer, I was fortunate enough to complete a five-day work experience placement at PLMR Midlands where I gained first-hand insight into public relations, public affairs, communications, political lobbying and the built environment.

Before starting my placement, I had an interest in public relations, but I had never experienced what working in this environment was actually like. Over the course of the five days, I was able to see how varied, fast paced and collaborative the industry can be.

Experiencing the working environment

One of the first things I noticed was how much communication and collaboration goes into the work at PLMR. I had the opportunity to sit on a team meeting involving colleagues from the Westminster office, giving me an insight into how teams work together across different locations and the importance of maintaining a positive working environment.

I also had the opportunity to speak with members of from different departments about their own careers and experiences which made me more aware of the different sectors I could go into. Hearing about the different routes people had taken into public affairs, PR and communications helped me understand that there is no singe pathway into the industry.

A different task every day

One of the best parts of the placement was the variety of work I was able to experience.

Throughout the week, I worked on different research projects, researched media contacts, contributed to stakeholder mapping and helped produce media releases. Having a different type of task each day kept the placement engaging and allowed me to develop a range of skills.

Understanding public affairs and politics

Another important lesson from the week was seeing how closely the work of a public affairs agency is connected to the changing political landscape.

I was able to see how changes in ministers, government priorities and policies can influence the issues clients need advice on. This demonstrated to me why keeping up with current affairs is so important within public affairs and political communications.

Political developments and changes can happen quickly or suddenly meaning agencies need to be able to respond and provide clients with relevant advice.

GCSE Results Day

One of the highlights of my placement was attending a site visit with Paul Suart on GCSE Results Day.

I had the opportunity to interview students about their results, how they felt about their achievements and what they planned to do next. I then used the information gathered from these conversations to contribute to a media release for local newspapers.

This was particularly valuable because I was able to see the process of turning real-life experiences into a story that could be shared with the media. It gave me a much better understanding of how PR works beyond simply writing a press release.

The importance of relationships

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the week was the importance of communication and relationships.

Whether communicating with clients, colleagues, journalists or stakeholders, building positive and professional relationships is central to the industry. I saw this first-hand through the work of Rob Milne, particularly in the way he maintained strong relationships with clients and ensured they were supported.

What I have taken away

By the end of the week, I had gained a much clearer understanding of what a career in communications and public affairs could look like.

I developed new skills, strengthened existing ones and, most importantly, gained practical experience that I would not have been able to get from studying alone.

I was also lucky enough to work alongside people across different areas of the business and hear about the different journeys that had brought them to PLMR. Their experiences have given me plenty to think about as I consider my own future career.

A huge thank you to Tom Howell, Sam Jackson, Rebecca Langton, Posie Allaway and Isabella Shepherd for taking the time to speak with me, share your experiences and give me such valuable advice throughout the week.

I am extremely grateful to everyone at PLMR Midlands for making my five-day placement so enjoyable, welcoming and worthwhile. It has given me an experience that I will carry forward into my future studies and career.