Sam Brown
Public Relations MA
Sam didn鈥檛 follow a straight path into PR. After five years working in Education, he found himself ready for something new, but unsure where to start. The MA Public Relations course at 探花直播 offered the mix of structure and real-world experience he was looking for. Fast forward a few years, and he is now a Senior PR Manager at one of the top PR agencies outside London, WPR.
鈥淟ike many others, I came to postgraduate study a little later in life, looking for a fresh start and a career change. After five years working in Education, I realised I wanted something different, I just wasn鈥檛 sure what. I knew I was drawn to PR but had no idea how to break into the field or even what a typical PR job really looked like. That鈥檚 where the MA in Public Relations at BCU came in.
The course offered exactly what I needed to break into the field. It had a solid mix of theory and hands-on experience, with built-in opportunities to meet industry professionals and build real-world knowledge. For me, it was a no-brainer.
My time at BCU was genuinely some of the best I鈥檝e had, even though an MA flies by way too quickly! One of the things I loved most was the mix of people it brought together. Everyone came from different walks of life, at different stages in their journey, and that made for such a rich and inspiring learning environment. I made incredible friends, both fellow students and lecturers, and found a sense of community I didn鈥檛 expect but will always cherish.
Fast forward to now, I鈥檓 a Senior PR Manager at WPR Agency, which, excitingly, was recently voted the best PR agency outside London by PRWeek! There, I manage a portfolio of clients across different industries, working with major brands like Volvo, Fujifilm, Beaverbrooks and West Midlands Safari Park. My job is to make sure their stories show up in the right places where their consumers will find them, whether that鈥檚 TV, radio, print, podcasts, or even TikTok.
My journey to WPR started not long after I graduated. I applied for a short work experience placement with the agency during my course, which turned into a job offer after just two weeks. From Junior Account Executive to Senior Manager on the consumer PR team, it鈥檚 been a whirlwind, but one I鈥檝e absolutely loved. I know it sounds like a clich茅, but it truly doesn鈥檛 feel like work when you enjoy what you do. There鈥檚 something surreal, in the best way, about seeing a story you helped craft make national headlines. It鈥檚 a little like being famous without the actual fame!
The MA gave me the perfect foundation; From the history of PR to the ethics and expectations of the modern-day industry, it helped me understand not just the 鈥渉ow鈥� but the 鈥渨hy鈥�, and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 helped me grow with confidence in such a fast-moving field -and trust me, fast-paced is an understatement when it comes to PR! No two days are the same. Just last week, I found myself coordinating a This Morning appearance for care home residents, supporting the launch of a hospital-turned-apartment-complex, and attending the opening of a new safari lodge. One day I鈥檓 writing press releases, the next I鈥檓 briefing spokespeople, pitching to journalists, or on set at a shoot.
It keeps you on your toes, and while it鈥檚 great fun, the job definitely comes with its pressures. Tight deadlines, sudden curveballs, high expectations鈥� you need to be calm, quick-thinking, and yes, being a fast typist really helps too!
Looking back now, I鈥檓 incredibly proud of how far I鈥檝e come since making that leap into a completely new field. Changing careers was scary, especially taking a financial step back at first, but I can confidently say it鈥檚 been worth every moment. I鈥檝e seen my work featured in major media, supported meaningful campaigns, and even met a few celebs along the way. Most importantly, I鈥檝e built a career I genuinely enjoy.
Looking ahead, I鈥檓 eager to keep growing. Becoming a PR Director is the goal, and I鈥檇 love to work with even bigger household brands like Cadbury or Marmite!
For anyone thinking about studying the MA Public Relations course at BCU 鈥� DO IT! It鈥檚 an incredible course, taught by lecturers who are not only knowledgeable but also respected and active within the PR world. And to those just starting in comms, get as much work experience as you can. It helps you stand out in the job market, but more importantly, it shows you what you actually enjoy. PR is a vast field and trying different things early on can help you carve out your niche.
To me, 鈥淚 AM BCU鈥� means being part of a community that stays with you long after graduation. As a born-and-bred Brummie, I鈥檓 proud to have studied at BCU and to see how the university continues to grow and thrive.鈥�