From joining Pearl Comms after an internship following her success at the first Pearl Comms Academy, to securing national coverage and finding her feet in client meetings, Harriet has had a busy first year in PR.

We caught up with her to reflect on what she’s learned, some of her favourite moments and how her confidence has grown along the way… 

How does it feel to look back on your time at Pearl so far? 

Harriet: “It’s strange how quickly it’s gone! Looking back, I think the biggest change has been how much more confident I feel in myself and my ideas. 

“When I first joined, I was learning how an agency works and getting to grips with the basics of PR. Now, I’m much more comfortable putting forward ideas, getting involved in client brainstorms and taking the initiative when I spot an opportunity. Talking about Pearl and our ideas while networking also gives me confidence that I do contribute to our agency and I’m proud to discuss the work we do for and our offering for clients across such a range of sectors.” 

Is there anything you’ve discovered about PR that you didn’t expect? 

Harriet: “How much you can learn simply by being curious. 

“You’re constantly reading, listening, watching the news and thinking about why something matters to a particular audience. I’ve found that the more interested you are in what’s happening around you, the more ideas you have. The same goes when you’re networking. Showing an interest in other people’s careers and journeys allows you to learn so much about your industry or your client’s sectors. It gives you the confidence to take initiative and put ideas forward in the future. 

“I’ve also realised that PR is much more creative than I initially thought. It’s not just about getting coverage – it’s about finding an interesting story or content idea, understanding what makes it relevant and working out how to make people care about it.” 

What was it like working on your first Budget? 

Harriet: “The Budget was definitely one of those moments where you really see the pace of PR. 

“It was great being involved in the process of monitoring the Chancellor’s announcements, identifying opportunities for our clients and getting expert commentary out to journalists quickly. There’s a real sense of urgency because you know there are lots of other businesses and agencies trying to get their voices heard at exactly the same time. 

“It was also a great opportunity to see how much impact good timing and a strong story can have when you’re responding to something that’s dominating the news agenda.” 

What does it mean to be a Pearl? 

Harriet: “For me, being a Pearl really is about having “the fire” – being willing to put your ideas forward and get stuck in, even when something is outside your comfort zone. It’s about being curious and always looking for ways to add value, whether that’s spotting a new media opportunity for a client or putting an idea on the table during a meeting. 

“But it’s also about being part of a team. PR can be fast-paced, and you need to know that the people around you have your back. Being a Pearl means consistently showing up for your team and your clients, supporting each other when things get busy and celebrating the wins together. 

“And, of course, our Monday afternoon dinner chats and Albert Schloss team socials!” 

Want to be part of the Pearl journey? Whether you’re looking for PR support or your next career move, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch here.