What my first job taught me about investing in young talent

Today marks the end of my journey at Briscoe PR after nearly three years.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much has changed. I joined as a graduate with an undergraduate degree in marketing and a postgraduate degree in digital marketing, plenty of enthusiasm and lots of ideas, but very little understanding of what agency life was really like.

I am leaving my role with experiences, confidence and skills that simply couldn’t have been learnt in a lecture theatre.

Reflecting on that journey has made me realise something I think more businesses should recognise: investing in graduates and early-career professionals isn’t just about developing future talent. It can strengthen your business today.

Your newest employee can offer your freshest perspective

Experience will always be invaluable, but fresh thinking has its place too.

Graduates enter the workplace with different perspectives. They’re often immersed in emerging technologies, social media trends, AI tools and changing consumer behaviours because they’ve grown up alongside them.

They aren’t constrained by “the way it’s always been done”, which means they’re more likely to ask questions, challenge assumptions and suggest new approaches, and that doesn’t replace experience – it complements it.

The strongest businesses create environments where fresh ideas and experienced judgement work together.

Learning happens far beyond the classroom

University gave me an excellent foundation in marketing, communications, PR strategy and research.

What it couldn’t teach me was how to manage client relationships, identify stories, adapt my writing for different audiences, navigate challenging conversations or think commercially.

Those lessons only come from experience.

Over the past three years, I’ve worked with businesses across hospitality, commercial property, technology, healthcare, logistics and professional services. Every client has brought a new challenge, a new industry to understand and a different way of thinking.

That variety has accelerated my learning more than I ever imagined.

Confidence grows when people trust you

One of the biggest factors in any young professional’s development is trust.

The confidence I have today didn’t happen overnight. It came from being trusted with opportunities that stretched me, from leading meetings and presenting ideas to managing client relationships and taking ownership of campaigns.

Kevin saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. He was willing to hand over responsibility, offer guidance when I needed it and, importantly, give me the space to learn through experience.

That doesn’t mean getting everything right the first time. Sometimes growth comes from making mistakes, reflecting on them and coming back stronger. More often, it comes from discovering what you’re capable of because someone believed you were ready before you did.

Looking back, that trust has been one of the most valuable parts of my career so far, and I’m sure many other graduates would say the same.

The best teams combine experience with fresh thinking

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learnt is that experience and youth are not competing strengths; they’re complementary.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from professionals with decades of experience in journalism, communications and public relations. Their strategic thinking, judgement and ability to navigate complex situations have shaped how I approach my own work.

At the same time, I’ve also seen how younger professionals can introduce new ideas, challenge existing processes and help businesses adapt to changing audiences and technology.

The best organisations don’t choose one over the other. They bring both together, creating teams that are stronger, more innovative and better equipped to adapt to change.

Investing in young talent is an investment in your business

Hiring graduates or apprentices shouldn’t be viewed as simply filling an entry-level role. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your business with people who bring fresh perspectives, digital confidence, curiosity and a genuine desire to make an impact.

Of course, early-career professionals don’t have decades of experience. What they do have is the willingness to learn, adapt quickly and ask questions that can challenge established ways of thinking. Paired with the guidance of experienced colleagues, that combination can be incredibly powerful.

When businesses invest time in developing young talent, the return isn’t something that only comes years down the line. It’s reflected in new ideas, different perspectives, greater innovation and a workforce that’s continually evolving alongside the industries it serves.

After nearly three years in my first full-time role, I’m living proof of what can happen when a business is willing to invest in potential. The opportunities I was given didn’t just help me grow professionally; they allowed me to contribute in meaningful ways while continuing to learn every day.

A personal thank you

As I reach the end of my time at Briscoe PR, I feel incredibly grateful for where my career began.

Thank you to Kevin for believing in me as a graduate, sharing his knowledge so generously and showing that learning never stops, no matter how experienced you become. Thank you to every member of the Briscoe PR team, past and present, for your support, encouragement and friendship over the last two years and 11 months.

Starting your career is exciting, but it can also be daunting. Having people who trust you, challenge you and encourage you to keep growing makes all the difference.

I’ll always be proud that Briscoe PR was the place where I took those first steps.