Career Crossroad

Advertisement Executive in the well-known New Straits Times Press or Public Relations Executive in a fairly new but promising PR Agency? There was a third job offer as a Junior Copywriter in a very small advertising agency but I was more interested in the first two. Naturally fickle, I was in turmoil pondering my next move in accepting the best offer; which would also be my very first job after graduating from university.

I've always dreamed of working in a huge Press company so NST was topmost on my list. It did not matter that I'd come in as an Advertisement Exec as opposed to the Journalist position I truly wanted. I figured the best thing to do was to get into the company first before gradually working my way into the Editorial side.

However, the PR Executive offer was mighty interesting too. When I went for the interview, my interviewer made it clear that I'd be in for one hectic ride should I decide to accept their offer. A PR Agency offers expertise in key areas of communication such as Media Relations, Brand Consultancy, Online PR, Stunts, Guerilla Marketing, Broadcast Consultancy, Crisis Management, Celebrity Endorsement, Events and Personal PR.

I was told that my job scope entailed assisting the PR Managers in the Creative Department to help clients get noticed in their respective industry through both online and offline activities. With an ultimate mission of building and upholding the reputation of companies, products and services in order to generate new and continuous business; working in a PR Agency would mean long working hours for me and plenty of entertaining on the side. I was enticed but after talking it over with my Dad, I decided to go with NST.

And that's how I ended up working in the oldest and largest newspaper publisher in Malaysia, which was also the best 4 years of my working life. I learned a lot about the industry and I made plenty of contact with Advertising and PR companies. Some of them remain as my loyal clients today when I eventually ventured into my own copywriting and translation business.

I have no regrets choosing a publishing company over the said PR Agency but sometimes I do wonder how my career path would have taken had I accepted their offer. Would I still end up pursuing my main interest in writing like I am right now or would I be some high-flying PR Consultant caught up in the glitz and glam of the hectic on-the-go lifestyle that comes with working in a PR Agency?

Okay enough of walking down memory lane! It's time to get back to the new translation job I received today. It's only Wednesday and I'm already looking forward to our 3-day weekend. B will be on leave next week so it's more like a 5-day weekend for me. Merry Christmas everyone!

-FC Scoreboard points for my first THREE commenters-

DAVID
MAXI
BILL