By Natalie Whitehouse
Most graduates dream about getting straight into work upon completing their degree, and fortunately for English language and Journalism graduate Rae Stephenson, her dream became a reality.
The 22-year-old secured herself a PR role upon completing her degree, with Leicester-based PR company spottydog Communications:
“I was actually just doing a general search online for PR companies in Leicester because I was looking to gain some work experience or an internship,” admits Rae, “I wouldn’t say I was actively looking for a job because I didn’t think it was possible straight out of university, especially because my degree isn’t directly related to PR!”
Rae then found spottydog Communications’ website, where they were advertising for an Account Executive on a three month internship basis, so she applied for the role straight away – and got more than she bargained for:
“I went through a writing test, two interviews and a presentation and actually walked away with the full-time executive role rather than the internship, which I still find completely amazing!”
Previous experience at a newspaper as well as a couple of stints with a local PR company ensured that English Language and Journalism graduate went straight from her degree to full time work, in a transition she hasn’t found too difficult to handle:
“I had worked part time throughout university and was busy doing full time internships as soon as my dissertation was handed in, so I never felt a huge transition. I would say though, obviously, once you are being paid and are officially part of the team there’s a lot more responsibility, which makes you work much harder. That side of things does take a little time to get used to, but it’s also really rewarding so worth the extra hours you put in.”
Rae (front left) and the spottydog team
Rae began her role at spottydog Communications in June last year, not long after handing in her dissertation and a month before she even graduated. Her job includes supporting the account managers, responding to enquiries, liaising with clients and drafting press releases, along with a whole host of other tasks to ensure that her role is both varied and interesting – the perfect combination:
“It sounds cliché, but there’s not actually anything that I don’t enjoy about my job! I love that each day is completely different and I’m constantly getting involved with new opportunities.
“I love the fact that as a fresh graduate I was never sidelined to tasks nobody else wanted or just making tea. Since the day I started I’ve been a fully-fledged member of the team and have had the opportunity to do amazing things, whether that is achieving national coverage or getting involved with big client meetings, I’ve had some fantastic experiences already.”
Having worked on projects alongside big industry names such as Mitchells & Butlers and Motorola, Rae is thriving in her role as PR Communications and Social Media Executive, ensuring that she gets to enjoy the perks of the job:
“I loved going to London with Heritage Bathrooms to meet with journalists in the home-interest sector. I think schmoozing journalists in stunning offices overlooking the London skyline is what people dream of when going into PR, so it was so exciting to actually go and experience that glamorous side of PR so early in my career.”
In terms of her future in the industry, Rae has set her sights on growing her career and building relationships to help her climb up the PR ladder:
“It’s really important to me to build up great contacts within the media and PR industry too, so I like to think in the future I could become a pro at networking like my colleagues and be really well connected.
“Other than that, right now my plan is just to improve and keep learning in an environment which is very supportive and nurturing. I honestly don’t think I would have had the same opportunities and mentoring I’ve had at spottydog in a huge agency. I’ve been incredibly lucky, and I just plan to work really hard and get better and better to repay them for taking a chance on me and giving me the job I love.”
And not only does she love her role, Rae also feels that this truly falls into her definition of what her dream job looks like:
“I have always said that my dream is to have a job that is rewarding, fun, and that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning, so I would say I have definitely landed my dream job. It’s also important to me to have opportunities for growth and progression and there is a real emphasis on training and development at my agency, and as a whole in the PR industry, which is really inspiring.”
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