We’re pleased to have another guest blog post, this time from our most recent work experience placement – Danielle Stott.
Before my time at Smoking Gun, I’d never had the chance to sample agency life.
University teaches you all about PR. You learn how to write a press release, all about Grunig and his theories, get an insight into marketing and start to produce a portfolio. That’s all you could possibly need to know to head straight into the world of PR, right?
Not exactly.
Don’t get me wrong, University is fantastic and a great experience. I know my degree (touchwood!) will be incredibly useful in the future and I really have learnt a lot, but it doesn’t really help in knowing what it’s actually like to work in an agency. The daily routine, and producing work for an actual client is something you could never learn in a classroom.
Throughout my placement I’ve found myself writing press releases, searching the news for stories that relate to our clients, and researching and contacting bloggers who would be interested in one of our projects. I’ve been able to gain a real insight into the clients, and the different work the agency does for them. Knowing that the work you’ve helped with could gain coverage for real clients is much better than gaining a 2:1 in an assignment!
My time at Smoking Gun has given me the opportunity to not only help out with agency work, but also observe the team doing what I hope to be doing in the future. In my opinion, there’s no better way to learn than by throwing yourself into it, and taking in everything from people who do the job everyday. Working at Smoking Gun meant I had the chance to get real opinions on my work, and see firsthand what it would be like to do the job I’m learning about at Uni.
The experience of working in an agency is something everyone who wants to work in PR should try, and Smoking Gun was definitely a great place for me to start. The team couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful, and I leave with a fresh knowledge and excitement about PR.
The question remains, however. Has it put me off working in an agency?
Absolutely not!
