By Olivia Hayden, Account Manager, Comit
As most will know, starting your career can be a daunting experience. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by new expectations and unfamiliar processes. In PR, that learning curve can feel even steeper as you’re tasked with immersing yourself in multiple clients to truly getting under their skin. As such, a supportive team is crucial. The right guidance, learning, and collaboration can make the difference between simply finding your feet and genuinely accelerating your PR career.
I joined Comit just over 12 months ago. I had initially met the team as part of my MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications and had kept in touch through the initial stages of my career. What struck me from the very beginning was how warm and friendly they all were. It felt less like an interview and more like an intriguing discussion among peers, spanning everything from the media landscape, to search engine optimisation and even the Eurovision!
I’ve always had a strong interest in technology, particularly as AI became embedded in everyday life. With the tech landscape spanning healthcare, engineering, sustainability, and more, specialising in the sector naturally appealed to me – along with the added intrigue of a four-day work week.
From day one, I was writing and issuing press releases, pitching to various journalists and gaining that hands-on practical experience that would drive my career forward. I’ve been lucky to work on numerous campaigns, from Expleo’s Business Transformation Index to Pure Telecom’s Connected Lives survey, achieving tier-one national coverage, made only possible by the support and guidance of my team. In fact, each member of the team played some part in my training and development. At Comit, collaboration is everything. I was consistently trusted and empowered to do my best work – a culture that directly fuelled my progression from Senior Account Executive to Account Manager.
This level of collaboration made a real difference, along with the one-to-one mentorship with our Senior Account Director, Rebecca Hughes. Rebecca gave me the opportunity to check in, ask questions, and gain guidance on everything from client queries to navigating agency processes.
As I reflect on my time in Comit, one thing that stands out to me above all else is the focus we have here on relationships – relationships with our clients, the media and with each other. Yes, we work hard, we strategise, and we deliver great results, but what sets us apart is the values we uphold, how we treat one another, and the genuine care that underpins everything we do. It’s often the relationships we build here and the teamwork that makes the thrill of success even sweeter.
Once a quarter, all of us will get together on a Friday for a team bonding day. While we spend the morning delving into learnings and industry insights, by the afternoon, we’ve left work behind. Instead, we make time to get to know each other on a personal level and discuss our interests, often while doing a fun activity and nursing a few cheeky pints along the way.
This culture of collaboration and camaraderie not only strengthens our team but also reflects the values that make Comit such a special place to work. And it doesn’t just happen on our team bonding days. If you stroll into our office on a Thursday morning, you might hear us debating the latest celebrity gossip or updating each other on recent developments in our neighbourhood group chats. These moments are just as important as landing a big story or securing a high-profile interview – they’re what keeps our team connected, motivated, and enthusiastic. We are all rooting for each other.
Then, of course, there’s the fact that we maintain a four-day work week. Work–life balance is often considered non-existent in the world of public relations, but at Comit, that simply isn’t the case. While we might occasionally log on to fire off an email or two, Fridays give us the opportunity to focus on personal growth, hobbies, and time with loved ones. Since joining Comit, I’ve used my Fridays to learn how to drive, practice painting, and spend quality time with family and friends. That balance isn’t just encouraged – it’s celebrated. In fact, we spend the first five minutes of our Monday morning meeting sharing stories from our three-day weekends!
To those of you seeking a job in PR, I couldn’t recommend our wonderful agency enough. If you’re looking for a supportive and welcoming place to work while getting hands-on experience and learning from the very best our industry has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. We will welcome you with open arms, celebrate the small victories and cheer you on as you make your mark in the world of PR.