Getting ready to enter the PR field can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Starting out at a public relations apprenticeship can be a challenge, however if you are prepared it won’t seem so intimidating. Here are some of our top tips to help you prepare for entry into this exciting career field.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn whilst actually working in the field you want to. An apprentice is guided, coached and mentored by individuals who are already established in their field of expertise. Often a mentor will be a professional that makes time to meet with the apprentice to offer support. Apprenticeships can take 6 to 18 months to complete depending on the program and sector.
Apprenticeships can either be found via generic job websites such as Indeed, by specific industry job websites such as PR Week Jobs or by contacting PR agencies directly that you’d love to work with and learn from with a letter. It never hurts to put yourself out there even if there isn’t currently a job – people in Personal Relations will remember you for your letter as it stands out from the crowd!
Take a look here to find out who provides apprenticeships in the UK.
What tasks might you be given in a Public Relations apprenticeship?
- Undertake research
- Develop presentations
- Write press and media releases
- Deal with day-to-day media queries
- Promote events
- Implement PR policies
- Develop digital content
- Communicate with different people such as the media, the public, internal colleagues or clients
- Work closely with colleagues in a team environment.
How to prepare for a Public Relations apprenticeship:
When preparing for your new PR apprenticeship, research research and research some more! Whether it’s about the company itself, clients or their niche… you need to be clued up. Try and learn the lingo and get in on the news loop by setting some Google alerts. Try and think about what you would want to keep up if you were at the very top of the PR agency because one day you just might be and you need that passion and fire to get there.
Ask yourself:
- What is going on in the PR world today?
- How can we stay current and up to date?
- What do our clients need from us?
- How can we be the best?
Women in Agencies chatted to the digital PR agency Blue Array last week so take a look into how a head of a PR agency thinks.
Don’t forget, a Personal Relations apprenticeship is a learning experience so always ask questions. You are not silly for asking questions, you accept that you don’t know everything.
If you are currently looking for a public relations apprenticeship take a look here for all things PR apprenticeships and here for some advice on your cover letter.
If you are in the PR world, then please consider joining Women in Agencies for support, resources and community. It will only be free for a limited amount of time.