A Day in the Life of a PR Executive

We recently caught up with Bright Network member, Emma, to chat about how her career is going. Emma has been working as a PR executive and told us about her personal experience of what a day in the life of a PR executive is really like. Read on to learn what a PR executive does and whether it’s the career path for you.

What does a PR executive do?

Public Relations (PR) is the department responsible for being the face of a company, representing them whenever they need to speak to the public and advising them on the potential impact of decisions they make. In PR, you could either work for an agency where you have a number of companies that you represent, or you could work for a specific company with all your efforts focused on them. Emma is the latter type and works for a university fulfilling all their PR needs.

We started by asking Emma to reflect on working as a PR executive.

Is there a project or task that has stood out to you?

In my old role, I launched a project doing communications for the Gates Foundation. It was incredibly interesting to work for an organisation with such a heavy emphasis on health and vaccine equity throughout a pandemic.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Career paths aren’t linear. People dip and dive into different areas. The best managers I’ve had have all taken lateral moves, ‘backward steps’, and pursued their interests. My old boss was an Ex-Pro basketball player and it made him incredible team builder. Leadership tools don’t come from following a straight line, but a whole career adapting to change.

The working conditions of a PR Executive

The hours you work as a PR executive depend on the companies you work for and your requirements within that company. For example, with some companies you may work the standard office hours of 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. However, with other companies you may have to attend events on behalf of the company outside of working hours, do TV appearances for them or even wake up in the night to help out in a crisis. Most of the work you do will be office-based, but the additional tasks like TV appearances and events will take you out of the office.

We asked Emma about what it’s like working as a PR executive.

What’s been a highlight of working for the company so far?

I was involved in the communications for the university’s annual Africa forum. Ahead of the event, I interviewed a former student, who is currently running to be the next president of Nigeria. Politics interest me, so this was great to do. As part of the event, I attended a big dinner at Balliol, which reminded me of my own university college formals!

What’s one thing you didn’t expect?

I think the impact of my work has always surprised me. When you start, you give yourself the impression that what you’re doing is small and inconsequential. But it’s not true. Your work matters, and you can make visible, positive contributions to your projects and your team.

A typical day in the life of a PR executive

The tasks you do as a PR executive will depend on the type of company you’re working with. You may be writing press releases to inform the public about what the company is doing. Alternatively, you might build up strategies for the company, including how they can most effectively prepare for future events and launches.

Emma took us through what a day in the life of a PR executive is really like.

What do you typically do throughout the day?

Normally, I start by monitoring our media coverage and responding to any press enquiries that might’ve come in. This is especially important if we’ve just issued a big press release or new bit of research. Then, I normally work on whatever stories I’m writing.

What are the main tasks associated with your job?

Report on media coverage, write articles (these are often based on research, events, awards, achievements), create and issue press releases, pitch to journalists, liaise with academics over media apprentices, and handle press inquiries.

How you could become a PR executive

Working in PR usually requires having an aptitude for writing. Making sure you can carefully craft a piece of work to portray exactly what you want it to is important and will help you succeed in your career. Being charismatic and persuasive can also be useful! Many PR agencies and companies hiring in the PR department will prefer you to have an undergraduate degree, although it’s not always necessary. Relevant degrees are in marketing or business, but humanities subjects in general can qualify you for the type of work you’ll be doing.

We asked Emma for her advice on how you can break into the PR profession.

What three tips would you give to Bright Network members wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Consider an agency. This was how I started my career, not only does it give you fantastic exposure to different industries, it gives you lots of skills and a strong sense of what you enjoy. Plus, you can build a big client portfolio. By my first year, I had worked for Coca-Cola, Microsoft, The Gates Foundation, The World Economic Forum, TATA, and many more blue-chip brands!

Learn. I was lucky to start my career surrounded by incredible people with years of press experience, who were amazing to learn from. Find those people in your organisation; listen to them and learn from them.

Focus on other areas of your life. Your job is an important part of it, but once you’ve settled in, take the time to focus on your family, your friends, and yourself. Get healthy, mind, body, and soul. Join a sports team. Read. Oh, and START SAVING!

Have you been inspired by Emma? Are you considering working as a PR executive? Explore the current jobs in marketing and PR and read our public relations officer job profile to learn the facts about the industry.