Reflections on My First Month at Adfactors PR

A month ago, I stepped into the Bengaluru office of Adfactors PR as part of my internship - an essential part of my journey as a student at SCoRe. While I was still in a learning environment, shifting from the classroom to a fast-paced professional setting came with its own set of challenges. Adjusting to the structured pace of office life took effort, and balancing expectations with execution felt overwhelming at times. However, as the days passed, I started finding my rhythm, picking up lessons that I know will stay with me beyond this internship.

The Challenge of Prioritization

The fast-paced nature of PR means there is always something to do. At first, juggling tasks felt like a struggle- what should be done first, what could wait, and how to ensure quality work without feeling stretched too thin. Over time, I realized that the key lies in understanding urgency versus importance. While the workload remains demanding, I am learning to structure my day more effectively.

Patience, Resilience, and Humility

Observing my colleagues both in Bengaluru and those sitting in the Mumbai office taught me a crucial lesson: this profession demands patience, resilience, and perseverance. Deadlines, working according to clients’ needs, and unpredictable challenges are part of the job. But above all, I’ve come to understand that humility matters just as much. Being open to learning, taking feedback positively, and knowing that improvement is a continuous process has helped me navigate my early days here.

Building Genuine Media Relations

One of the most important aspects of PR is media outreach. However, I quickly realized that establishing and fostering relationships with journalists is easier said than done. Understanding what they need, when to reach out, and how to position a story in a way that adds value is a skill that takes time to develop. While I am still learning, this challenge has motivated me to refine my approach and be more strategic in my interactions.

Asking for Work, Adding Value

One lesson that stood out this month was the importance of taking initiative. Instead of waiting for tasks, I’ve learned to step up and ask for work that could ease my teammates' load. It’s not just about completing tasks but ensuring that my contributions make a difference. Some days, I’ve been appreciated for my work, and on others, I’ve felt there’s room to improve and that I can do a lot more. Either way, the goal remains the same—adding value in whatever way I can.

Embracing Different Perspectives

PR is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Every problem has multiple approaches, and being open to different viewpoints is essential. Whether it’s feedback from seniors or observing how others tackle challenges, I’ve realized that flexibility and adaptability are crucial.

A Mindset for Growth

Each day, I walk into the office with one question in mind: What can I do better today? This mindset has kept me going, pushing me to refine my skills, be more efficient, and contribute meaningfully. The team I work under has been incredibly supportive, making me want to challenge myself even more. With one month to go in this internship, my focus remains clear - I want to contribute more and ensure that, by the end of it, I have been a value addition to the team.

This first month has been an intense learning experience, filled with challenges and small victories. But if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s that growth in PR doesn’t happen overnight - it happens in the little moments of learning, adapting, and striving to be better every day. For many, the ultimate goal of an internship could perhaps be securing a PPO, and while I share that ambition, I see it as a by-product of the work done throughout the journey. What matters most to me right now is taking it one step at a time - embracing every challenge, staying consistent, learning, and focusing on adding value each day. If I can do that, the outcomes will take care of themselves.