One year in PR
When I got picked for an internship at Muckle Media through Queen Margaret University’s version of speed dating (but make it interviews), I was honestly a bit shocked, but also excited to dive in.
Fast forward a year and I’m still here! What started as a month internship turned into a full-time trainee role. I never expected to land a “big girl” job right out of uni, especially coming from the Scottish Borders, but the team saw potential in me, and I decided to take the leap.
Looking back, I’ve realised I never really gave myself the time to appreciate how far I’ve come. I switched my degree a month before it started (goodbye Psychology, hello PR and Marketing), juggled hospitality shifts and uni deadlines, and worried about what my future would look like. Now here I am, working in PR and writing this from my kitchen table at home in the Borders – due to our flexible working model – wild.
What I’ve learned at Muckle:
PR is a team sport
From brainstorms to client calls, media sell-ins to campaign launches – nothing happens in isolation. I’ve learned how valuable it is to bounce ideas off your team, lean on each other during tight turnaround and celebrate the wins, whether big or small, together.
Confidence grows quietly
It’s not just about presenting in meetings or owning a media list. It’s also about speaking up more, trusting your instincts and realising your voice matters!
Nobody has it all figured out
I used to think I had to get everything right the first time. Spoiler: I didn’t. At Muckle, I’ve seen firsthand that learning on the job, asking questions and being curious is way more valuable than pretending you’ve got all the answers.
Growth isn’t always obvious
Some wins come in headlines while others come in small quiet moments like leading a task you used to shy away from or finally cracking a media pitch. It all counts.
One of the biggest things that’s made this year so special is the culture at Muckle. Everyone is genuinely supportive, no matter what they’re working on, or where they’re based. Whether it’s in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Forres or beyond, the team feels connected and you never feel like you’re on your own.
Even with working at home, there’s still that day-to-day energy that makes you feel like you’re part of something. Whether it’s quick check-ins, someone offering to help you on a pitch, or team days that bring everyone together in person, the support never drops. And it’s not just all work chat either – there’s always space for the fun stuff too (like deep dives into everyone’s celebrity crush, book recs, or hot takes on what’s trending that week).
Before joining Muckle, I thought I had a solid idea of what PR was (I mean, my degree literally had it in the title). But the day-to-day has been way more varied, fast paced and exciting than I imagined. One minute you’re writing a press release, the next you’re pulling together a shoot brief, or chatting to a journalist.
It’s been a year of learning, growing and laughing – a lot. I’ve learned that imposter syndrome doesn’t go away, but a good team makes it easier to silence. I’ve learned how to ask better questions, how to pitch smarter stories, and how to back myself a bit more.
There’s still plenty to learn but I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.