Which PR?

After completing a year and one semester at University, I’ve got my heart set on going into the Public Relations sector. The opportunities and diversity that a career within PR has is an exciting prospect that I'm looking forward to.  It’s the whole ‘no two days are ever the same’ bit that particularly appeals to me. One day you could be meeting with clients, next day organising an event, and the day after writing press releases. Writing this blog has made me question the area of PR that I want to go into.

Samantha Jones, PR Consultancy.
Sex and the City

As much as I don’t want to base my judgment around an American Drama, does Samantha Jones from Sex in the City represent what Public Relations is and what practitioners do? If so, the expensive breakfast briefings, glamorous event planning and high profile client meetings suit my aspirations perfectly! But is that what it’s really all about?

Tench and Yeomans suggest that the type of PR practitioner you are depends upon the categories of PR you work in; In-house, Consultancy, or Freelance Practitioners. I’m drawn towards each for different reasons. Working within in-house PR is safe, reliable and familiar. I like the idea of working for one company, as part of that company. However, despite the security that in-house PR has, I’m not one to take the easy road. I have a preconceived perception that working in an office five days a week, working for one company could become somewhat mundane. For example, if I got employed by the NHS PR department, I have a limited creative platform and subsequently little diversity. Any in-house PR practitioners reading this, I would love to get your insight.

PR Consultancies where practitioners work for one or more clients seems much more exciting. Some might find it a hassle, but I would find travelling to different clients, and being in a different working environment throughout the week fresh and often a cause of creativity.  

From my experience working at 02 Marketing, no five working days were the same- an aspect I loved! For example, two days a week would be in the office, two days a week in central London at different agencies, and the final day at hotel conferences. According to Tench and Yeomans, working for a Consultancy often requires the need for “specialist areas”. Referring back to the Belbin Roles, in practise I confidently acquired the role of Specialist, formatting the presentation, experimenting with software, and using tools and tricks to make the aesthetics of the campaign professional and appropriate to the content. This leads me to believe that not only have I got benefits from the Consultancy, the Consultancy has got benefits from me.

Working as a Freelance Practitioner seems risky. A dry month where you don’t win any pitches could be worrying. I think freelance practitioners have generated years of experience, and have the financial support to develop their own company. I’m confident in saying that with the rise in tuition fees and a massive student loan, I’m not going to be working freelance for a long time after I graduate!

Be it through the influence of Samantha Jones, or the opportunities to travel and work on different projects, I am swayed towards a career at a Consultancy rather than In-house or Freelance. Any PR people in the blogosphere please tell me how it works for you?