Natasha Ferguson

TBF alumni Natasha Ferguson answers some quick fire questions about signing up to TBF and where she is now.

Where did you go to university and what did you study?
I attended London South Bank University and studied Journalism. I graduated in 2017. After graduating, I applied for the Foundation’s PR Training programme and was successful in joining the Winter 2018 cohort, sponsored by FTI Consulting.

Did you always know you wanted to work in PR?
No not really. I was intrigued as working in journalism and then becoming an editor piqued my interest in public relations.

What was the highlight about your time on the TBF programme?
Attending the visits with agencies and in-house comms teams.

What did you find most challenging?
Managing the day to day workload as the weeks went on.

What did you take away from it?
That passion doesn’t take you far. Discipline and determination does.

Were you able to put into practise what you learnt on the PR Training programme?
Yes, I did and how invaluable it has been!

True success is to see the dreams you once envisioned become a reality. If you make this your life’s purpose, then your passion will allow you to do what you have never done, so that you can go where you have never been.

What happened when you left the PR Training programme?
I joined the FTI Consulting Brussels office in May 2018.

Where are you now?
I am a programme manager at the Taylor Bennett Foundation.

As a young person coming into the industry, what skills do think you need to work in PR?
The basics! As a consultant, your first year is fundamental and a determining factor in progression of your career. My top five skills that a junior must possess, learn or strengthen to thrive in PR are:

• Be a great note taker- the more you note down and can relay back to your team makes you more valuable to have in the room.
• Learn how to manage up and down- learning how to project manage deliverables now builds your confidence to manage clients and your team as you develop in your career.
• Organisation is key- from scheduling calls to booking in meetings, be the go-to person when it comes to day to day management of a project.
• Learn the filing system- make sure that all documents are saved and standardised in the appropriate format so that anyone in your team can find them.
• Ask questions- in your new role no question is a silly question. If you don’t ask, you won’t know. Never stop asking questions!