As a student preparing to enter the working world, you might ask yourself, “Will my degree actually pay off?” After years of effort, exams, and sleepless nights, will all that hard work truly lead to the career of your dreams? It’s a question I pondered as I navigated the gap between education and my career, trying to piece together a future in Public Relations.
From Childhood Dreaming to Chasing Reality
From a young age, I was captivated by the world of PR, though my perception of it may have been slightly glamorous and unrealistic. Shows like Absolutely Fabulous and Scandal gave me a window into a fast-paced, high-stakes industry that intrigued me. But more than the glitz and drama, it was the ability to shape public perception, protect reputations, and manage narratives that truly hooked me. I felt that, with a sharp mind for strategy and communication, PR was my calling.
When I finally embarked on the path towards my chosen career, it was exhilarating. The journey was long, and the competition fierce, but the thought of working in an industry I loved fuelled me. However, the reality is that not every graduate finds themselves in the career they dreamed of. In fact, statistics show that less than half of graduates end up working in roles related to their degree.
Despite the daunting odds, I was determined that my story would be different. My job at Smith Goodfellow felt like the pot of gold at the end of a very long rainbow.
The Start of my PR Journey
I studied PR and Media at Sheffield Hallam University. Studying PR was an experience that taught me so much about the industry. From crisis communication and event management to social media strategies and a ton of writing, each new lesson felt like another tool in my PR toolkit.
By the time I finished university, despite the cloud of the pandemic looming overhead, I was euphoric. Graduation signalled the start of ‘real life’. I imagined myself securing a job in no time, maybe even buying a house, and finally living the dream I’d been building up for years.
Reality, however, was far from fantasy. With a highly competitive industry and the economic climate of a Tory government, jumping straight into my desired career wasn’t easy. Rather than diving into the PR world right away, I decided to further my education with a PR and Digital Communications master’s degree.
In hindsight, this was where I hit my first real hurdle. I soon realised that I wasn’t bridging the gap in the way I thought. The first four weeks of class, covering ‘What is PR’, felt like an uninspired repeat of what I had already learned. It became clear that another academic qualification wasn’t the answer. I couldn’t sit through the same content all over again just to pad my CV.
Detours and Dead Ends
After quitting my master’s degree, I extended my part-time retail job into full-time work. Though I made some incredible friends, the poor working conditions and management reminded me this wasn’t the place I was meant to be. A long stint in sales followed, but again, I felt like I was on a treadmill to nowhere. It felt like the PR degree I’d worked so hard for was as useful as a paper mâché umbrella. Every job felt like a deviation from my real goal.
I began to wonder whether I’d ever make it into the world of PR. As much as I tried to stay optimistic, every step felt like a reminder of the widening gap between me and the career I had envisioned.
The Turning Point
Fast forward two years into my telephone sales role, and I saw a job listing for Smith Goodfellow. It seemed too good to be true. The responsibilities described sounded like a perfect match for the skills I’d honed both in university and in previous jobs. On top of that, the office was located just behind my current workplace, a poetic twist of fate I couldn’t ignore.
I threw myself into the application process. The interview preparation was intense, involving a presentation on a topic I was passionate about, as well as a formal interview and writing task. I memorised responses to every conceivable interview question and practiced writing until I was blue in the face. This felt like my last shot at making it in PR, and I didn’t want to leave anything to chance.
The Moment It Paid Off
I got the job! That moment was indescribable – like a dream that had finally come true. Even after my first day at Smith Goodfellow, I still couldn’t quite believe it. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work on exciting campaigns, contribute to branding efforts, and manage social media. I’ve even been fortunate enough to travel to Dublin on a business trip, all while constantly growing in the field I love.
The daily grind that once felt endless has now turned into a journey I look forward to every day. It’s not just that I reached my goal, but that the work itself is more rewarding than I ever imagined. Each day holds new surprises and challenges that keep me on my toes and fuel my passion for PR.
Bridging the Gap: Was It Worth It?
Looking back, was it all worth it? Without hesitation, I can say yes. Bridging the gap between university and a career is long, hard, and often discouraging, but perseverance is key. The struggle makes the achievement that much sweeter. I consider myself lucky, but it’s important to note that luck only played a part.
The gap might seem insurmountable at times, but working to bridge it pays off. We often hear that degrees no longer hold value, but the skills and lessons learned during university are invaluable. Even when I wasn’t working in PR, the skills I developed – critical thinking, communication, adaptability – helped me along the way. In fact, those skills, combined with the challenges from my jobs outside the industry, ultimately helped me succeed at Smith Goodfellow.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the wait, the struggle, the uncertainty – the answer is yes. Keep working, keep striving, and remember: the journey may be long, but the destination is well worth it.