The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Communications Coordinator / Junior PR Executive
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering basic media monitoring, drafting accurate press releases, building media lists, and supporting internal comms initiatives. Getting really good at the fundamentals.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering accurate and timely comms support.
- Proactively identifying opportunities for media coverage.
- Receiving positive feedback on written communication skills.
- Demonstrating a solid understanding of the company's core messages.
- 2
Marketing Executive (with Comms focus)
3-4 yearsSkills to master
- Developing a strong understanding of overall marketing strategy, how comms fits in, and experience in content creation that has a public relations angle. You'll have a good grasp of the bigger picture.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managing small marketing campaigns with a PR component.
- Demonstrating strong copywriting and content creation skills for external audiences.
- Understanding how comms supports broader marketing objectives.
- Showing initiative in identifying PR opportunities within marketing campaigns.
- 3
Journalist / Editor (transitioning)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Adapting journalistic writing style to corporate messaging, understanding internal stakeholder management, and learning corporate media relations protocols. You'll already be a great writer, but it's a different kind of writing.
You're ready to move on when
- Quickly grasping company messaging and brand voice.
- Successfully drafting corporate communications that meet business objectives.
- Building good relationships with internal teams.
- Demonstrating an understanding of the difference between news reporting and corporate advocacy.