I used to be the one asking the questions. Armed with a mic, a deadline and enough caffeine to fell a horse, I spent years reporting from the field – first in Stockholm, then at BBC Scotland – dashing between press conferences, interviews and the occasional chaotic live shot.

These days, I’m the one crafting the answers, along with the key messages, talking points and spokesperson bios. Yes, I’ve gone to the dark side. And honestly? The lighting’s pretty good over here.

Life Before PR

I loved the pace, the people and the occasional chaos when a story broke five minutes before air. But during the pandemic, when everyone was baking sourdough and rethinking their life choices, I started craving something new. PR felt like the mirror world of journalism: same tools, different objectives. And as it turns out, swapping the mic for the message was a lot more fun than I’d expected.

Now I work in property and construction PR – an industry full of passionate people, planning applications and a lot of wellies. (Perfect for someone who secretly loves a site visit and a Gantt chart.)

So, what’s the difference between journalism and PR?

In journalism, you’re in constant reaction mode – the news breaks, and you scramble. PR has a different rhythm. It still demands quick thinking and the ability to respond in real time, but it’s also about being proactive – anticipating the headlines, shaping the narrative and guiding clients through it all with confidence. At Building Relations PR, that’s exactly what we do: we offer strategic counsel, spot opportunities others might miss and help clients decide when to speak – and how to be heard. The tools may differ, but the fundamentals are the same: sharp writing, sound judgement and relentless curiosity.

The best part is, I love being on the answering side. It’s genuinely rewarding helping clients define what they stand for, shape their stories and make technical detail sound human. Journalism taught me how to find the gold in a haystack – PR lets me polish it, frame it and make sure the right people see it. And it’s not just about coverage – it’s about building trust, creating impact and connecting clients with the audiences that matter.

A Future in PR

As a millennial, I feel like I’ve straddled two eras. I grew up with newspapers at the breakfast table, not push notifications. Now I’m writing press releases with one hand and scheduling social content with the other. Media has become all-encompassing – traditional coverage still matters hugely, but so does LinkedIn, podcasts, thought pieces and Instagram. It’s a different world, but the thrill of telling a great story still holds. PR just gives you more ways to do it.

Swapping journalism for PR wasn’t just a career move. It was a change in mindset from reporter to storyteller, from observer to orchestrator and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

If you’re curious about a career in PR or want to see what it’s like on the other side of the story, we offer work experience and internship opportunities at Building Relations. We’d love to hear from you.