– Sushma Sharma & Sukrutha S Kumar

Entering PR as a fresher was quite an eye-opening experience, differing from the glamorous image portrayed in the media. As we entered the industry and learnt to navigate through the various curve balls it threw at us, what we did not expect was that there will be learnings that will not just challenge us to up our game in our professional lives but also percolate down to our personal lives and stay there.

You Become “Client-Facing” Way Too Quickly

I had just started knowing the client team when I found myself responding to client emails with the kind of authority I absolutely did not feel at 23. There was no dramatic onboarding moment, no official “you’re ready” , it just happened even before you realised. One day you’re a new joiner quietly observing; the next, you’re in the thread, you’re expected to reply, and you’re responsible for what you say.  But surprisingly, this exposure teaches confidence faster than anything else. You learn how to communicate professionally, think carefully before replying, and most importantly, how to sound calm even when internally you are absolutely not calm.  But somewhere between the panic and the spellcheck, you figure it out ,  and then you figure it out faster next time.

That confidence flows into other aspects of your life as well.

All the mentoring and training sessions on how to ‘adult in PR’ helped !

PR Is Definitely Not a 9–5 Job , you are simply always available

Entering fields like PR to avoid a 9-5 corporate routine is the cheekiest contradiction life throws at you, because most of the times your brain never fully clocks out .

PR quietly rewires the way you think about availability. Being reachable ,  being present when it matters , is just part of how this industry operates, and you understand ‘why’ pretty quickly.

News doesn’t wait for office hours, journalists don’t always reply during the day, and client requirements can appear anytime like surprise test papers.

Your brain slowly adapts to checking notifications at all hours. Sometimes even silence feels suspicious. Let me be clear, the after office hours, the  weekends exist, and they are enjoyed. Nobody is chaining you to your desk on a Saturday. But PR taught me early on that availability is a mindset, not just a schedule , and that distinction matters more than I expected.

It clicked for me when my senior shared a story about sending out a critical press release late at night. Not as a complaint, more as a matter of fact. The client needed it out immediately, so it went out immediately. That’s just how it works. It’s less about sacrificing your personal time and more about understanding the weight of what you’re trusted with.  

This percolates down into your personal life with family and friends and suddenly you catch yourself swap crazy timetables that somehow work. You learn to be there for things that matter.

Typically, spokesperson did not write that quote, you did

This one shocked me the most. I used to read press releases and assume the CEO had typed out their own thoughtful quote between meetings, but NO. That quote was written by someone like me, in their voice, from their perspective, channelling their brand position.

You essentially become a method actor for hire, one day you’re thinking like a startup founder, the next like a seasoned CXO. You essentially become the spokesperson mentally. Watching your boss mentally inhabit five different client personas in a single afternoon is equal parts impressive and mildly terrifying. I aspire to that level of professional shape-shifting.

It forces your mind to expand and think creatively. I will not be surprised if I become the chosen spokesperson of my family at every occasion.

Relationship with Journalists is not friendly, but professional

I genuinely believed that journalists would instantly respond because technically we are helping them with story ideas.

Haaahhh !

Turns out, it’s not that simple.Building those relationships takes time, consistency, and the kind of patience that does not come naturally to someone who refreshes their inbox every four minutes. I secretly admire my seniors when journalists directly approach them for stories or comments. Meanwhile, as a fresher, even getting a reply can feel like winning an award. But then again, every senior probably went through the same phase. That thought alone keeps me patient. Currently filing that under “goals.”

Add to this the push and pull of building a relationship that stays professional without giving anyone a peek into your personal life…is a balancing art.

Building relationships that balance personal and professional is an art.

An art I would not mind trying out on a few of those nosy relatives.

You’ll move mountains for a client and receive a 👍 in return

Sometimes you finally crack a great media opportunity after multiple follow-ups, internal discussions, and praying to the email gods ,  and you excitedly send the update thinking the client will respond with fireworks, gratitude, maybe even a dramatic “Amazing work team!”

And then, One thumb. Facing up. That’s it.

My senior gave me a heads up on this that sometimes nobody has any idea what all goes  through to make this happen. I like to believe they are happy internally, but are probably juggling multiple priorities, or simply used to handling such opportunities regularly.

So far, so good. And something tells me the next round of surprises is already being drafted ,probably in someone else’s press release.

For now, am happy with my seniors noticing my small wins.

Personally, I have started noticing the small things my parents do for me, learnt to acknowledge that more often and say thank you. Much to their amusement.  

No Two Days Are Ever the Same

That’s the beauty of public relations. One day you’re pitching stories to journalists; the next, you’re managing an on-ground event, assisting on a media training workshop, attending an upskilling session, coordinating with influencers, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Time moves by in the blink of an eye.

Other days are spent drafting content, preparing media reports, updating media lists, or following up with reporters and clients.

And yet others you can’t figure out why the clock won’t move.

The variety keeps the work exciting. Every day brings a new challenge, a fresh learning experience, and a chance to grow making PR one of the most dynamic professions to be in. I am enjoying every bit of it !

Learning to live in the moment as you enjoy the fast days and appreciate the slow days … gives you a deep sense of satisfaction and calm.  

Upskilling is a full time job

I thought college was where the studying ended and we were in for a life of sharing our gyaan with people waiting in line to listen.

Turns out, I had another thing coming. Everything we learnt in college was just enough to get our foot in the door. Then came the steep learning curve. Just when you think you’ve understood a vertical, mastered a process, or figured out an industry, PR throws a googly your way and reminds you there’s still a lot to learn.

Our constant training and upskilling help, but the biggest lesson we picked up was to keep pride in the back pocket and stay curious. The moment you think you know everything, you’ve probably stopped learning.   

When this becomes a way of life, you gain immensely in other aspects of life as well. PR teaches you to keep your mind open, absorb information, ask better questions and, most importantly, understand rather than simply know.

So yes, sometimes it feels like I never really left school. And honestly, I’m beginning to think that’s a good thing.

Now, excuse me while I go learn something new.

About Nucleus PR

The 16-year old firm has clients across multiple verticals. With an already established presence in 4 major metros, they have successfully created a strong affiliate network across 88 towns across the country via a team of trusted professional experts. With its inclusion in the exclusive and prestigious worldwide collaborative network of PR firms – PRBI Boutiques International, it adds brilliant minds from over 40 agencies across 14 countries to their resource pool. As the first members from the Asian sub-continent, they represent the entire region in the prestigious international PR network. Their current portfolio includes entertainment, lifestyle, media, hospitality and corporate clients across MNCs, SMEs, and Startups.