MAM
From Campus to Corporate- A 21 year old’s guide to launching a career in PR
Mumbai: If you’re here, you either love what ‘Samantha Jones’ from ‘Sex and the City’ did, or you want to know what exactly Public Relations is and how to embark on your journey. A career in Public Relations is dynamic, ever-changing, and never dull or monotonous. As far as careers go, it is considered one of the most prestigious and well-paying ones. However, that doesn’t mean that working in PR is a never-ending party. A day in the life of a beginner PR professional mostly includes writing press releases, managing media interviews, attending industry events, and networking with potential clients.
If you want to kickstart your journey in PR, here are some tips and tricks that helped me!
1 Apply Extensively: Applying to jobs is never enough, especially in PR, as it is a competitive field. Tailor your resume according to the job description, don’t limit yourself to one or two ‘dream companies’. Consider applying to different PR firms and positions that align with your skills and interests. You might just discover an unexpected opportunity that leads to a fulfilling career path.
2 Network, Network, Network: Attend industry events, identify PR agencies and companies, follow their social media accounts (especially on LinkedIn), engage with their content, and reach out to PR professionals/hiring managers of these agencies and companies. Subtly express your interest in working for them, showcasing how you can contribute to the company’s growing success and why you think you would be a suitable candidate or how you stand out from the rest.
3 Work on your communication skills: At its core, the PR industry is all about communication. While you might believe you have amazing communication skills, there’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s refining your pitching techniques for a compelling story, effectively conveying the importance of seizing opportunities to clients, or perfecting your writing skills for press releases, authored articles, or listicles, there’s always more to learn.
4 Stay up-to-date on industry trends: In the fast-paced world of PR and communications, staying in the loop is key. Sign up for newsletters from top publications and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Grasp every piece of information you get, as no amount of information is ever enough!
5 Develop and MAINTAIN media relations: While maintaining media relations is not the sole essence of PR, it sure is a brownie point you wouldn’t want to miss. It’s all about staying in regular touch with journalists, editors, and influencers to ensure credibility and trust are maintained throughout. By keeping these relationships strong, you not only get your message out there accurately but also stay ahead of the game. It’s the secret sauce to making sure your brand shines a little brighter in the media spotlight.
If you’re someone who loves to be on their toes, juggle deadlines like a pro, stay up-to-date on trends, and know what’s happening around the globe before your friends do, loves to talk and meet new people, knows how to craft stories that are impossible to miss, PR is definitely for you! Apart from these skills, it is a cherry on top if you have an extroverted personality, as you’ll be communicating with various people throughout your average workday. And last but not least, you will also need to be a quick thinker who can handle yourself in high-pressure situations or crises. All of this might sound like a lot, but those in the industry love what they do.
The author of this article is Drisshti Asknani.
Brands
Primus Partners appoints Akasa Air co-founder Neelu Khatri as independent director
Veteran aviation and defence professional joins as independent director
NEW DELHI: Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri, a founding member of Akasa Air, as an independent director, strengthening the consulting firm’s board as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
Khatri brings more than three decades of experience across defence, aviation, aerospace technology and consulting. She was part of the core team that helped build Akasa Air from concept to launch, contributing to what has been widely described as one of the fastest airline scale ups in recent aviation history.
At Primus Partners, she will provide strategic guidance on corporate governance and help steer the firm’s long term growth plans. Her experience of building a start up into a full scale organisation is expected to support the consulting firm as it expands its footprint.
Primus Partners co-founder and chairperson Davinder Sandhu, said the appointment brings valuable expertise to the board. “Neelu’s journey across defence, aviation and consulting brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic thinking. Her experience in rapidly scaling Akasa Air will be invaluable as we continue to grow while maintaining a strong focus on corporate governance,” he said.
Primus Partners, an India headquartered management consulting and solutions firm, has emphasised governance and board oversight since its early days. The company has also taken an unconventional approach by inviting its Gen Z employees to attend board meetings so that younger perspectives can contribute to discussions.
Speaking on her appointment, Khatri said the consulting sector is entering a transformative period shaped by emerging technologies. “The industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI. This is an exciting moment for an Indian origin consulting firm like Primus Partners to expand its product offerings and strengthen its presence globally,” she said.
She added that as the firm pursues ambitious expansion plans, her focus will be on ensuring strong governance frameworks and effective risk management as the organisation scales.
