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Original poster

What job would I be good at?

30 replies

Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:16

So I’m a bit stuck with what to do next in terms of jobs. I work for an MP at the moment, so do research projects, comms and PR work, social media media management, writing articles, write lots of correspondence, lots of organisation and horizon scanning politically.

I like the breadth of what I do, often no two days are the same and I get to look at lots of different issues each day which I enjoy. I also like feeling as though I make a difference to people, even if in some small way.

I also like the political strategising in my job (though not necessarily the party politics) and I’m good at it. I’m particularly interested in topics like mental health provision, violence against women, social mobility...not so great on detailed economics, DWP, and anything involving maths.....Blush

I’m good at anything requiring attention to detail but also good at the horizon scanning and forseeing problems, particularly PR related. I’m very organised. I also enjoy editing things - could I be a editor? I’ve always loved the idea but know it’s very competitive. Work for a charity? I could work for a PR agency but I’m not particularly commericially minded and not that motivated by money. I’d be interested in the civil service but not sure if I’d find it too dry (no offence meant, sorry!)

If anything springs to mind to anyone or if anyone does anything combining any of these things, I’d be really really grateful if you could share! I want to do something worthwhile and enjoy it - I just don’t know what. Currently based in London and earning just over 30k. I’d like to work in a team rather than solo, as I do at the moment. Arghhhhhh. Thank you! Smile

OP posts:
MaderiaCycle · 25/08/2018 23:20

Work for a charity? Comms? Parliamentary affairs? PR etc?

brizzledrizzle · 25/08/2018 23:22

Why do you want to change job?

BotBotticelli · 25/08/2018 23:22

PR or some sort of other corporate Comms job at a government Arms Length body. Or at a University? All the big unis in London have big, creative Comms teams promoting their research outputs. Look at jobs.ac.uk

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:27

Thank you, good ideas! I’ve looked at some PR firms but wasn’t really that interested in just pursuing commercial goals. Does anyone do this kind of work for a PR firm?

I guess doing PR work for a charity would be better, but then I don’t know if I just want to do PR, or something else entirely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:27

Looking at universities is a good idea, thanks!

OP posts:
SweatyFretty · 25/08/2018 23:35

You need a PR agency focused on social change, or perhaps a public affairs agency/team.

Have you come across places like Forster Communications or Newington?

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 25/08/2018 23:39

Lobbyist, charity or charity/issues-based PR.

Editing is fairly solitary, unless you mean being the editor of a newspaper or magazine, which would probably mean going back to the beginning in terms of salary. Journalism terribly badly paid at the moment as well...

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:40

SweatyFretty - no I haven’t come across them, I’ll look them up!

I don’t suppose there are any lists of PR agencies are there?

But I’m equally interested in any other career directions! Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:42

I probably mean journalistic editing, but yes I’m not sure I want to go right back to the beginning.. I’m young ish (under 30!) but can’t afford to take a big pay cut really

OP posts:
SweatyFretty · 25/08/2018 23:42

There is a list of PR agencies!!

www.prweek.com/article/1462518/prweek-reveals-top-150-uk-pr-consultancies-2018

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:45

Ooo thanks! Probably should have googled better...I’m half a bottle of wine down whilst soul searching!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandproud · 25/08/2018 23:46

Oh you have to have a subscription to read the articles...

OP posts:
SweatyFretty · 25/08/2018 23:56

It's free, just whack an email in! It's the industry bible and all the job listings are on there too. Well worth it.

annandale · 26/08/2018 00:03

Have a look at the civil service fast track.

Also think tanks.

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 26/08/2018 00:10

Ah ok, oops!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandproud · 26/08/2018 00:11

I do look at civil service jobs from time to time and will look at fast track too, thanks. Are you restricted to a certain salary if you go in for fast stream?

OP posts:
SweatyFretty · 26/08/2018 00:21

Ooh also - www.w4mp.org/

It is a collection of job listings specifically looking for people who have worked for MPs.

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 26/08/2018 00:25

That’s, that’s where I found my current job Smile I search it regularly for inspriration! There’s a job for Mind I’m interested in, but I don’t know if I’d be happy just specialising in one area, even if it’s something I care a lot about...

OP posts:
ButFirstTea · 26/08/2018 00:34

Definitely look at policy and public affairs roles, your experience is ideal for those. I work in education policy for a learned society. Any similar societies, charities, think tanks, professional bodies etc will have policy and public affairs teams if any of those interest you!

AsleepAllDay · 26/08/2018 06:48

You can be an editor! There's always a demand for sub editors and publishing houses need editors. More technical ones that make publications and textbooks like Thomson Reuters and Lexis Nexis can be a good start - they pay well

Law could be another field

If you wanted to work on newspapers I would suggest getting your NCTJ but it will take working your way up again

AsleepAllDay · 26/08/2018 06:49

Also more public affairs based PR firms do things like crisis management and so on

Charities always need people for PR, communications, policy and you can choose your cause

Original poster
Pinkandproud · 26/08/2018 09:42

These are really good ideas, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandproud · 26/08/2018 09:43

If anyone does these kinds of jobs would you mind saying what you do on on an average day?

OP posts:
AsleepAllDay · 26/08/2018 13:31

I am a journalist (not a sub) in the legal field & everyone in my office spends all day writing news stories about cases that happen (often very technical) and breaking company news. You have to be a subscriber to read them

So that involves staying updated as things happen - going to events, court, interviewing lawyers and others, lots of phone calls. I often had more admin tasks so would be at my desk more.

The subeditor we had would rejig and fact check stories to be in the company style. Correcting spelling and grammar of course but often one of the main checks and balances to ensure that everything we published was correct, written well & in the right style.

It's a very desk based and hands on job, everyone who was an editor was quite clever & dedicated

AsleepAllDay · 26/08/2018 13:33

I worked at a well known charity/organisation for children and the daily tasks were drafting press releases, calling journalists to get coverage in local papers, Facebook management, putting together a weekly newsletter, writing official communications like bits of the annual report and for the website

I didn't really like it but I wasn't passionate about the organisation or being the press contact

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