I Found It

I always thought I'd be lost in the world, without knowing what I wanted to do as a career. I've spent so much time and energy feeling confused and upset and like I was never going to know what I wanted to do with my life. Even at school, I was just unsure. I'm intellectual, I'm a leader, I'm creative, I have great ideas and can act on them, I love writing (hence the post), I love event planning, I'm great with people, I have the power of persuasion, natural sales abilities... I have so many skills but every time I tried to hone in on one, it just didn't feel right. Events? No. Copywriting? No. Psychology? No. I just had no clue and I honestly thought that's the way it was always going to be. 

Going from working as a rep in ski resorts, to working for Just Eat, to working for a tech start-up. I loved so many different parts of the roles, but not the actual role itself. Anyway, now I'm a Partnerships Manager for the Tech start-up. Very unexpected I have to say. One day I was called into the CCO's office and they asked me to build and launch a new department in the business. Bare with me on this because the lightbulb moment is just around the corner... Or, further down the page in this case. 

I've been in the role for a few months now. I created it. It didn't exist before me. I made it and it's been so successful that they hired a second person whom I trained and mentored; on my own. The KPI's I was set to reach at month 6, I reached by month 2. I launched something called Power Up week, to focus on key partners, and it was such a hit that other businesses have used the idea for themselves. Power Up week has turned into a week of PR, blog creation, content for socials, training sessions, Beamer announcements that I get to write the skeleton for, Linkedin announcements I have an input with... 

Getting to organise events, ready for when Covid rules lift. Getting to create the attendee lists, work with the graphic designer on the branding, work with content for the socials, create the strategies for the PR of said events. 

Creating welcome packs for new partners. Designing the box, researching what to include. Branded items, eco items, tech items. Creating a hashtag for the packs for partners to share. Liaising with our clients to give them an opportunity to 'sponsor' the boxes and include their products as a form of PR for their brand. 

I choose the companies we partner with to ensure they fit our clients perfectly. Ensuring they're also a good fit for the business. To ensure they fit with our ethics, our brand. To ensure the relationship is mutually beneficial. Working with big names on mutual content, to get the best outreach possible for both parties. I mean, we create songs with our Corporate Bard about these businesses as a form of PR... How cool (and slightly weird).

And now here we are. Notice those two capital letters, popping up throughout this post? 

PR. 

Public Relations. 

Public Relations professionals help a business or individual cultivate a positive reputation with the public through various unpaid or earned communications, including traditional media, social media, and in-person engagements. - hubspot

Ladies and Gents. I did it. 

I have officially found my dream career...

Here's to 25 years of not knowing. To the different roles I've tried and not enjoyed. The tears from feeling like a failure for not knowing what I wanted. To my strength for never settling. To myself for knowing there was something inside of me waiting. I finally had my lightbulb moment. I get to use the skills I have and merge them with everything love and call it a job. 

I truly cannot wait to see where my chosen career (eek) takes me.