I didn’t know much about the PR world before I reached out to Athene Communications, seeking a work experience placement. I started studying journalism at university in 2022, and as much as I loved my course, I couldn’t quite see myself working in a newsroom. Throughout my three-year degree, I was briefly introduced to PR, and it immediately caught my attention.
From my understanding, PR and communications was a fast-paced, creative industry that brought together many of the skills I had honed as a student, making it exactly the kind of career path I wanted to pursue post-graduation.
In my final year of university, I completed two work experience placements with Athene. A year later, in January 2026, I returned as a full-time Account Executive. Now, six months into the role, it truly feels like a full-circle moment!
I honestly can’t believe how quickly the last six months have gone. Even more surprising is how much I’ve learned, not just about PR, but about myself too.
So, here are a few of my biggest takeaways from my time at Athene so far.
Say yes to trying your hand at everything.
PR covers many different areas, and working at an agency with a diverse range of clients means no two days or tasks are ever the same. I might start my day creating content for a client’s social media, and by lunch time, I’ve already drafted a press release, researched key stakeholders for an event, and edited a video for a school.
Expanding my remit across different sectors has helped me build my experience, understand my strengths, and clarify the areas I want to improve.
Mastering the art of clear communication is vital.
In a fast-paced industry, such as PR, clear and transparent communication is essential. Keeping colleagues updated on your progress helps manage expectations and ensures deadlines are met to a high standard.
Client relationships are important to us, and maintaining clear communication within the team has a positive impact on our work and our ability to deliver for them. It ensures they can trust us as a reliable and organised team that consistently keeps on top of every detail.
Don’t underestimate the importance of research.
There’s always something new to learn. When working with such a variety of clients, it’s important to adapt your writing style to reflect each client’s individuality. And the only way to do that effectively is by taking the time to understand a client, their industry, and their audience. This helps ensure your messaging is accurate, consistent, and credible.
Research also allows you to tailor your tone depending on the platform, whether that’s a formal press release or a conversational social media post.
Working in an office doesn’t have to feel daunting.
Like many 21-year-olds leaving university and entering full-time work for the first time, I had much to learn about office life and culture. I was used to a university routine with a few hours of teaching each day and plenty of free time to work on assignments or meet up with friends in between lectures. When I thought about working in an office post-graduation, I pictured an environment that would feel quite daunting to begin with.
I was so wrong.
Since joining Athene, every member of the team has gone above and beyond to support and guide me, sharing valuable advice and thoughtful feedback.
As a company, Athene really celebrates individual wins, positive client feedback and personal milestones. Between the adorable office dogs, team socials cuddling lambs or playing padel, and being located opposite a great café(!), I feel lucky to have found a workplace that perfectly balances productivity with a strong sense of community and connection.
Looking ahead
As I reflect on the past six months, I can hardly believe how much I have achieved in such a short space of time. Each day brings something new to learn, which makes the job both exciting and rewarding. While I know there is still so much for me to develop, I feel genuinely excited about what lies ahead. My journey into PR and communications has only just begun.
What I’m taking into the next six months…
- Keep saying yes to new opportunities.
- As a newbie, put your hand up for different projects and challenges, knowing that stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the best ways to build experience.
- Prioritise clear, proactive communication.
- As you take on more responsibility, keep strengthening how to communicate with both clients and the team, recognising that strong relationships create great results.
- Make research the foundation of every piece of work.
- Carry out background research before drafting content and use available information to add context.
- Keep learning from the people around me.
- Some of my biggest lessons have come from simply being around the team. Whether it’s asking questions, sharing ideas or learning from their experience.
- Celebrate all your wins, big or small.
- Take a breath, look back, and be proud of what you’ve achieved so far.
If the first six months are anything to go by, I’m excited for what’s next. I’ll continue to learn, enjoy being part of a supportive team, and embrace every opportunity that comes my way.
