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
Senior PR Specialist (In-house)
3-5 years as a Senior SpecialistSkills to master
- Leading complex campaigns, managing multiple projects simultaneously, building strong Tier 1 media relationships, mentoring junior staff, and beginning to advise on strategic comms decisions.
You're ready to move on when
- You're consistently securing high-impact media placements without much oversight.
- You're the go-to person for specific types of campaigns or media relationships.
- You've successfully managed a small crisis or challenging media situation.
- You're already informally mentoring new joiners and taking initiative on team projects.
- 2
Account Manager / Senior Account Manager (PR Agency)
4-6 years in an agency settingSkills to master
- Managing client accounts (including budgets and expectations), leading client strategy, pitching a wide variety of stories across different industries, and developing strong media contacts. You'll have seen a lot of different challenges.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed multiple client accounts, hitting their KPIs and retaining business.
- You're comfortable advising clients on complex media strategies and handling difficult conversations.
- You have a robust network of journalist contacts across various beats.
- You've managed junior account executives and are ready to lead a small team.
- 3
Journalist / Editor (transition)
Roughly 8-10 years in journalism, then 1-2 years in an entry-level PR role to learn the ropes.Skills to master
- Understanding the media's perspective, strong writing and storytelling, critical thinking, and an existing network of media contacts. You'll need to learn the 'other side' of the fence, like corporate messaging and stakeholder management.
You're ready to move on when
- You have a deep understanding of what makes a story newsworthy and how newsrooms operate.
- You're keen to apply your journalistic skills to shaping narratives for a brand.
- You're comfortable building relationships and can adapt to a more persuasive, advocacy-based role.
- You've already started to learn about corporate communications or marketing principles.