What has your journey into Edelman looked like and how did you get into the communications industry?
Coming from the Philippines to complete my master's degree in London, I was not expecting to find a job immediately after graduation. Aware of the competitive landscape on top of the sudden onset of a global pandemic, I knew opportunities were going to be few and far between at the time.
Luckily, as the world started to re-open, I took part in the 13th iteration of Media Trust’s Creativity Works Futures Program. An 8-week intensive bootcamp that gave young Londoners the opportunity to be immersed in creative workshops and masterclasses from the likes of Google, Unreal Engine, BBH, Meta, TikTok, ITV and of course, Edelman. Through a workshop with Edelman DxI, I got a glimpse of Edelman's incredible work for its global client portfolio. Through the workshop, I was also able to meet some of the teams at Edelman and was encouraged to take part in the ongoing applications for the Edelman Open Scheme.
A few interviews and an assessment day later, I received the great news that I had been accepted to the 6-month rotational scheme, as part of the Open Scheme cohort. We had the pleasure of working with amazing teams such as Assembly, DxI, Smithfield and Strategy. After productive months working with the most incredible team members and getting involved in different processes, I found my place in Strategy & Planning as a Junior Strategist.
This was where I found my home team and the career that I knew I wanted to pursue. It was a challenge in the beginning, as Strategy is a little different from traditional PR work. But armed with my research and writing skills, refined from graduate school, plus a hunger to learn and develop, I learned to appreciate the wonderfully creative and insightful world of strategy.
What do you find most rewarding about the job?
Working with my team allowed me to see just how pivotal and influential strategy is to effective communications. From helping FMCG brands effectively navigate a global crisis to inculcating purpose into each project - I have found Strategy to be an amazing resource that is always constructive to business and to society. Knowing I contribute to the betterment of our world in big and small ways through my work is the most rewarding part.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced throughout your time at Edelman?
Starting my Edelman journey after a pandemic and during a global crisis has of course made life a little more challenging. But being around a supportive and positive environment in my team helps a lot.
How do you stay motivated?
Knowing I am privileged to be part of a welcoming and highly collaborative network of strategists from across the globe motivates me.
To be able to work on a wide variety of interesting projects with brilliant minds from different parts of the world makes every day at Strategy exciting and new.
If you could offer one piece of advice to someone considering a role in the Strategy & Planning team at Edelman, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to be your authentic self. It’s something only you can bring to the table. In Strategy, everyone’s perspective is valued because everyone’s experience is uniquely their own.
What do you do outside of work to relax?
Not many people know this, but I was actually a very proud member of my college’s choral group. And I reminisce a lot about our days of rehearsing and performing. So now I do private concerts for my family in my living room on Sundays with my fully-fledged karaoke system, until the day my neighbours come knocking on my door (hopefully asking to join in!)
