At Clearbox, we’re seasoned veterans in the wondrous world of PR – some of us have even got the paper to prove it! While we’re strong believers that attaining an academic qualification is only one of many diverse life paths a person can take into the industry, studying comms at university level can be one of the most interesting and rewarding decisions of your career.

Are you starting a communications degree this September? Here’s some advice some of us wish we’d had….

Prepare to do lots of writing and thinking creatively

In a world where AI is becoming an ever-present part of day-to-day work, strong creative writing and thinking skills are needed more than ever. If you have a flair and passion for the written word and thinking outside-of-the-box, then PR is the degree for you! AI has its uses, but it can never replace human creativity, and this will be your superpower. 

Get comfortable with being ‘perceived’ (or at least be willing to learn)

When studying and working in PR, you will likely be expected to take part in presentations or shooting content for campaigns – which can be daunting at first! A bit of exposure therapy never hurt anyone – and being able to stand up in front of people and speak is an amazingly versatile skill to develop – we recommend being utterly shameless and throwing yourself into every opportunity.

Don’t be afraid of networking

Networking can be intimidating for people at all stages of their career, but it really doesn’t have to be. It’s not always about approaching industry professionals at fancy parties – it can be as simple as speaking to your lecturers in uni after class, or getting to know your classmates better! Some of these people will have worked in PR already and can usually offer guidance and further connections. Downloading LinkedIn is also a shout – if you’re like us and already prone to stalking the internet for fun, LinkedIn will open up a whole new world of easy industry connections. In fact, it’s how many students and graduates end up securing internships and even full-time jobs.

Learn the landscape

Becoming familiar with not just the people, but the agencies and brands which make up the communications sector is always a good idea. If your course doesn’t already include one, consider looking for an internship to put some of your skills into practice! You would be surprised how far a little background research and a cold call or email could get you!

Follow the news and trends

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Armed with little more than a phone and access to the internet, anyone is now capable of keeping up with the latest news and trends from across the globe. Being well-attuned to current affairs and the journalists who document them is the lifeblood of working in PR, so we recommend making this a daily ritual. Following trends can be especially helpful when it comes to thinking of campaign ideas and crafting stories that reflect your audience’s interests. Stay curious, stay informed…

Embarking on a degree in PR can seem overwhelming at first, but with enough time, learning and a solid first network, you’ll be off to a flying start! If you keep focused on your written skills and remain open to the opportunities at your disposal, it should all click eventually. Trust us, PR’s best-kept secret is that no one really knows what they’re doing – and that’s the best part! Embrace the chaos. And who knows, you might fit right in at Clearbox…