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
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
