Starting a career in communications often comes with uncertainty: fears about narrowing your focus too soon, doubts about choosing the right industry, and a lack of confidence stemming from limited experience.
For many of us who started out as interns at bicom, working at an agency quickly felt like the right fit. But at the beginning, we all faced the same questions and uncertainties. Looking back now, we can confidently say that agency life offers some major advantages when it comes to launching a career in communications.
Here are four reasons why starting out at an agency can be the perfect way to kick off your journey in the industry:
Guaranteed versatility
When we think about working at an agency, the first thing that comes to mind is the variety of projects and tasks. This diversity creates a uniquely dynamic work environment. One day, you might be coordinating a launch event for a beauty brand, and the next, you’re evaluating media coverage for a PR campaign at a shopping mall. Every day brings something new!
I quickly learned to manage several projects at once! This allowed me to quickly find strategies to optimize my priority management and sharpen my organizational skills. -Juliette, Digital Account executive
Working on several accounts offers an excellent opportunity to develop solid strategic expertise in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, while forging valuable ties with numerous journalists and influencers. Personally, I particularly appreciate the dynamic balance that makes each day unique, and that’s exactly what I love about it. -Marie-Isabel, Senior Account Manager
A fast-track school in communications
While university provides a solid theoretical foundation, working at an agency throws us directly into real-world action. At bicom especially, every assignment presents a unique context that helps us grow and sharpen our PR instincts. This exposure to diverse situations quickly enhances our ability to adapt, an invaluable skill when facing new challenges. Here are just a few examples of the skills our colleagues have rapidly developed:
I’d say the ability to write pitches. It may seem daunting at first, but we have all the information at our disposal and we can also let our creativity run free to make them both clear and captivating! -Marie-Isabel, Senior Account Manager
Not only did it allow me to quickly familiarize myself with the Canadian media landscape, it also helped me build relationships with journalists. As the mandates progressed, these contacts got to know me and my clients. Today, some journalists actively contact me to ask if I have anything new to share with them. -Victoria, Publicist
Working in an agency enabled me to rapidly acquire the ability to manage several projects at the same time. The fast-paced environment taught me to juggle priorities, adapt to unforeseen circumstances and deliver quality work within tight deadlines. It’s a real fast-track school, training the rigor, responsiveness and creativity that are essential in communications and public relations. -Souraya, Account Executive
More than an execution role
Unlike more hierarchical organizations, an agency provides an environment where everyone can make a meaningful impact from day one. Whether you’re an intern, an account manager, or a director, every role plays an active part in projects and has the opportunity to achieve great things. For our colleagues, these contributions take many forms:
When I started seeing mentions of my clients in the magazines I enjoyed reading as a youngster, and still do. I understood the power of relationships in our business and realized that this was the place for me. -Karine, Senior Account Manager
I’d say at events. Honestly, seeing the clients’, media’s and creators’ satisfaction and being able to talk to them is particularly gratifying. Events are a lot of work, but they’re also valuable occasions to see the results of our efforts. -Anne, Publicist
I always strive to exceed expectations and prioritize my clients’ needs. As soon as I started at bicom, I identified solutions to improve some of our processes, which saved us time while maintaining the quality of our work. This initiative has had a real impact, not only in my role, but for the whole team at bicom. -Souraya, Account Executive
Beyond preconceived ideas
As in many industries, the agency world is often associated with certain preconceived notions such as hectic schedules, constant stress, and limited room for work-life balance or creativity. However, for many of our colleagues, the reality has been quite different and far more fulfilling:
In all honesty, I had a negative view of agencies as a busy, competitive environment with lots of overtime. Apart from the time spent on events outside normal working hours, overtime is not encouraged, and the working atmosphere is incomparable. Agencies are a great place to build close relationships with colleagues. -Karine, Senior Account Manager
No two days are alike. Working with several clients on different projects that evolve over time means that every day is different. Some mandates end and others begin, so there’s always something new in our daily routine. -Juliette, Digital Account Executive
Starting your career at an agency means diving into a world shaped by ever-changing projects. It’s also about working in an environment that values creativity, autonomy, and team spirit. For many, this career path has served as a strong foundation for building a successful future in public relations and communications. So, if you’re still on the fence, this might just be the perfect place to begin.
