When I got the chance to add a professional PR qualification to what I’ve learned working as an executive in a leading agricultural PR agency, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and have never looked back.
Building on a strong foundation
Studying agriculture at Harper Adams University and growing up on a farm gave me an extensive agricultural knowledge. Since joining Pinstone as a graduate, I have learned my PR communication skills ‘on the job’. This has been a fantastic opportunity and I’ve learnt so much already. However, it’s essential to step back and look at areas where you can improve, to continue to grow within your role.
Always seeking a challenge, I put myself forward for the PRCA PR certificate. This qualification is ideal for my career stage and has enabled me to develop my skills further.
I’m currently two-thirds through the course and have learned several new skills while building on existing knowledge.
Undertaking an external course has helped me see things from a different perspective. I’ve learned valuable tools and techniques applicable to my role at Pinstone.
Key learnings to date
- Identifying new and different strategic models for PR campaigns such as Gregory’s Framework.
- Incorporating SMART objectives into day-to-day work routines and strategy documents from the outset.
- Appreciating the different tools and channels most appropriate to specific target audiences.
- Utilising influencers to strengthen a PR campaign, especially on social media, as they can do some of the hard work for you
- Taking an integrated approach to digital comms and branching out across a broad spectrum of channels
The training has helped me to build on the theory behind some of the concepts we utilise at Pinstone and I’ve been able to directly apply many of these new skills into my day-to-day role.
The training has also increased my confidence. I now regularly put my ideas forward when developing strategies internally. It’s also given me access to resources that have helped me to pull together strategic documents independently.
The training has also helped me to think outside the box particularly during client meetings, as well as not being afraid to challenge the rest of the team on our clients’ objectives.
I’m sure this additional training will play a key role in helping me progress and I’m grateful to have had the support from Pinstone to have undertaken this qualification.
I strongly encourage other people to take up these kind of opportunities and get the most out of them, as personal development is so important.
Hard work always pays off and I’m extremely passionate about the agricultural industry and feel this additional training could play a key role in allowing me to do the best job possible.
