Agencies in Chicago: The trip blew me away

Alright. I am throwing up my hands and admitting something.

I think I am an agency girl.

After years of assuming that the crazy, hectic, competitive lifestyle of a public relations agency professional was not my destiny, I am strongly reconsidering my standpoint. I just returned from a trip with the Ohio Northern University PRSSA chapter to Chicago to tour four public relations agencies ranging in size, clientele, and employee atmosphere (a big thanks to Ruder Finn, Ketchum, Golin Harris and Weber Shandwick). Somewhere between massive amounts of artery-clogging deep dish pizza and sugar rushes from too many Sprinkles cupcakes, I realized that the agency playground might be the best place to put my education to the test and develop as a young public relations professional. Below are my opinions on why all recent graduates should consider checking out an agency:

1. Mentorship around every corner

Any public relations student knows the important of having close professional relationships to turn to for career guidance. In the agency field, there is always someone in the organization who was recently in your shoes. For example, as an intern, you can turn to the account coordinator who was just in your shoes for advice. Some agencies even have structured mentorship programs. Joseph Tateoka shared Ruder Finn’s mentorship program, where individuals are matched up with a company professional that shares similar interests.

2. Built-in job ladders

Agencies are all about commitment: if you put your time in, you can easily climb the organizational ladder. I heard story after story about individuals who started as interns, got hired on as account coordinators, and eventually turned into account executives. In a job market that is still relatively insecure, it is comforting to see that agencies like to keep their employees close by moving them along the path of promotions.

3. Pick your poison

I always assumed since agencies take on multiple clients, a career as an agency professional would be like eating one of those boxed chocolates…you never know what you are going to get. However, I quickly learned that is not the case. While agencies may have multiple types of clients, a professional often lands in a certain client category: healthcare, brand, B2B, consumer, etc. As a student who still enjoys exploring the field, I like the idea of trying different clients as an intern and then landing in an agency sector that best suits my interests.

Ultimately, the trip to Chicago opened up both my eyes and my career path. I am looking forward to exploring the possibilities of working in a public relations agency!