Starting your career in public relations can feel like being expected to know the playbook before you’ve had a chance to play the game. You’re learning how to navigate a new workplace, manage competing priorities and prove what you bring to the table, all while figuring out what kind of professional you want to become.
As the recipient of this year’s PRSA Detroit’s New Professional Award, I’ve spent some time reflecting on what has helped me find my footing during my first two-plus years in the industry. I’m still learning, but a few lessons have consistently shaped how I approach my work and the opportunities that come my way.
Make Yourself an Asset, Not Just Another Team Member
As a fresh college graduate starting my career at Franco as an integrated communications intern, I made it my goal from day one to be the biggest asset I could be to my team. That means being proactive, taking initiative and looking for ways to contribute beyond what’s directly assigned to me.
The more I demonstrated what I could bring to the table, the more opportunities I was trusted to take on. Those experiences helped me build new skills, expand my capabilities and become an even stronger contributor.
My advice? Don’t wait for someone to tell you you’re ready to step up. Ask questions, share ideas and make yourself part of the conversation. Find ways to contribute where your skills can make a difference, even if that means stepping outside your comfort zone.
You don’t have to be the most experienced person in the room to bring value to it. You just have to be willing to show what you can do. Over time, that consistency can help you build trust, earn new opportunities and establish yourself as someone your team can count on.
Saying Yes Is Good. Knowing When to Speak Up Is Better.
Early in your career, saying yes can be one of the best ways to learn. New assignments expose you to different challenges, introduce you to new people and help you discover skills you might not have known you had.
But there’s a difference between being eager to help and taking on more than you can realistically manage.
Learning to communicate your capacity is just as important as showing initiative. If you’re juggling several assignments and a new priority comes your way, be transparent about what’s on your plate. You can express that you’re happy to help while asking which task should take precedence or what support you need to deliver your best work.
That isn’t a sign that you can’t handle the job. It shows that you’re thinking critically about your responsibilities and the quality of your work.
You’re going to make mistakes as a new professional. You’re also going to learn what works for you, how you work best and when you need to ask for help. Give yourself room to figure that out.
Your Experience Starts Before Graduation
One of the biggest advantages I had at Eastern Michigan University was the opportunity to explore different areas of communications before starting my full-time career. Through internships in podcast production, social media and media relations, I built a diverse skill set and gained hands-on experience I could bring into my first full-time role.
If you’re still in college, take advantage of opportunities to explore. Try an internship in an unfamiliar area, join a student organization or volunteer for a project that challenges you. You might discover a new passion or develop a skill that sets you apart.
You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out before graduation. Sometimes, exploring your options is how you figure out where you belong!
Finding Your Fit Takes Time
Let’s be honest: Starting a career isn’t always easy. The job market can be discouraging, opportunities don’t always come when you expect them to and it’s easy to question your progress when you’re still trying to find your place.
But your career isn’t a race, and someone else’s timeline isn’t yours.
Keep building your skills, making connections and putting yourself out there. Not every opportunity will be the right fit, and not every step forward will look the way you imagined. What matters is that you keep learning and find the momentum that works for you.
Nina Scarpelli is an Integrated Communications Coordinator at Franco. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
