A new job is a new beginning. I just began my first job out of college at a public relations (PR) agency – Catapult PR-IR. Like many people, I had anticipated my first day and was looking forward to the opportunity.
The prospect of starting a new job was exciting. The first day can be nerve-racking as you meet many new people and try to soak up as much information as possible.
I didn’t know what to expect coming into my first day, especially since I graduated with a degree in advertising. I always found PR exciting but never thought I would someday work in the industry. My past internships focused on social media advertising and content creation, which I have been learning more about on the B2C side.
I didn’t realize how much I was going to retain in such a short time. Looking back on my first month, here are some things I have learned so far:
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The Difference Between B2B and B2C Social Media Marketing
Before this opportunity, I had experience drafting social media posts for B2C businesses. The language and content are different for both types of posts. For B2C posts I spent more time designing images to post, but the copy is critical for B2B clients. Social media was the first task I pursued, and I think I’m getting the hang of it.
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Understanding the B2B Tech PR World
If someone had said “Kubernetes” to me a month ago, I would have given them a blank stare. I have learned so much about technology and startups. At first, it was intimidating to understand what exactly our clients do, but I learned fast with the help of the team at Catapult. I added many new terms to my everyday vocabulary, such as “open source” and “cloud computing.” I even started reading The Phoenix Project to get more familiar with concepts relating to DevOps. I realized this is a fascinating world, and I am excited to keep learning about it.
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Strategic Narrative Marketing
The concept of Strategic Narrative Marketing is similar to my background in advertising. This approach examines the industry rather than the company to create a unique marketing narrative that benefits the industry. I had numerous projects similar to this, where I would research a company’s competitors and find a gap in their messaging, so my client could create a competitive edge. Discovering how PR and advertising can be similar has been very fascinating.
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Public Relations as a Whole
I learned about what goes on behind the scenes in an entry-level B2B Tech PR position. This includes building lists of reporters for news blasts, researching client events and awards, and more. It’s a lot of research, which has helped me discover more about the high-tech industry. Learning about press releases and everything that goes along with them has been exciting to me, and I am looking forward to taking the reins on this process when I have more experience.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a month! I have gained valuable experience from my account coordinator position here at Catapult. Thinking back on all the things I have discovered in my first month, I wonder just how much more I will learn in the future. Even though I thought I would go into advertising, my outlook on what my career will look like has changed. I can’t wait to continue this PR adventure.
