I felt welcome from the very beginning. During the onboarding phase, I was introduced to the company and its internal processes, and got to know my colleagues. I quickly became involved in client-related work, providing support and even taking on smaller projects. I was immediately introduced and included in client meetings. Overall, I found the first few weeks pleasant, and my initial impression of an open and relaxed working atmosphere has been confirmed.
There were two main approaches to my onboarding. Firstly, experienced colleagues clearly explained our agency’s core competencies, such as professional and consumer media relations. Secondly, during my first few weeks, I actively supported projects within my client team while also learning a great deal by observing. This meant there wasn’t too much pressure initially, especially since many tasks, like writing social media content or organizing press events, were new to me post-university. At the same time, this combination of hands-on experience and observation allowed me to learn a lot quickly. Regular feedback sessions with my team lead and management are also incredibly helpful for continuous development and quickly identifying areas for improvement. Furthermore, I have a mentor by my side whom I can confidently turn to. I find this very important, as there might be topics – such as personal development, team dynamics, or other concerns – that I prefer not to discuss directly with my team lead.
There are slight differences from team to team. Generally, a team lead is responsible for the client. Depending on the requirements, teams consist of Senior Consultants, Consultants, Junior Consultants, and Trainees working for the clients. Everyone is usually familiar with each other’s tasks, so we can support and cover for one another.
In the initial phase, it was one client, but now it’s two. The primary focus remains on one client, for whom 70 percent of my working time is allocated. I was involved in projects from the very first week, and after about three weeks, I took on my first independent project as the primary lead.
My tasks vary significantly depending on the client and the current projects. I frequently draft content for collaborations with specialized medical journals, focusing on conveying study data and real-world case studies for healthcare professionals. Other typical tasks include media monitoring, writing contributions for social media, and planning client-initiated press events and conference support.
I’d have to say it’s the variety of tasks that I enjoy most. I find it exciting how different the approach is for the same topic when communicating to professionals versus lay audiences. Given my scientific background, writing articles for professional journals suits me best.
After completing my trainee period, I want to take the next step and continue developing my skills as a Junior Consultant, taking on even more responsibility. Professionally, I’m particularly keen to gain more experience and expand my skills in consumer communications.
First and foremost: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Everyone is helpful and appreciates the interest. Be open to new experiences and be patient with yourself if a task doesn’t come naturally right away. Most things will come with time.
I was surprised by how versatile the tasks are and that everyone in the team is familiar with them. This ensures variety. I was also amazed at how quickly I was integrated into projects and could take on responsibility. Furthermore, I didn’t expect how straightforward communication is within the agency. This is due to the flat hierarchies – everyone interacts as equals. I find the working atmosphere to be very pleasant because of this.
