Reflecting on my eight-month journey at ID Africa, the saying “time flies when you are having fun” comes to mind. How has it been eight months already? It feels like just yesterday when I nervously walked into the office, admiring the workspace’s aesthetics.
Looking back on my first day in the office with little knowledge about public relations, although I had successfully participated in group PR activations in school and found them interesting, I was also accustomed to the sleepless nights that come with being a PRAD (Public Relations and Advertising) student – shout out to Dr. Odiboh. I thought I had mastered PR and was ready to take my abilities to the next level.
My first month made me realize that all I knew was just the tip of what PR entails, I began to understand the gravity of the term “maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship between an organization and its publics” and that was something I found intriguing. It meant I had the opportunity to learn a lot there. I dove headfirst into work, familiarized myself with the company’s ethics and rules, and faced some challenges. However, with the support of my team members, I began to find my rhythm.
One thing I struggled with in my first month was writing, like I had earlier said, I had little knowledge about PR, and I never thought that writing would be such a significant aspect of it. Did my teammates consider my lack of writing skills? No! Instead, I had to wear my “ready to learn” cap and catch up. I might not be perfect now, but here I am, a better writer, with my stories gaining media coverage.
By the second month, I started to take on more responsibilities. I had taken up handling reports from daily, to weekly, situational and final reports. And in my head, the Instagram video “I just arrived” kept playing. I was opportune to lead some tasks, which were both daunting and exhilarating, but I pulled them off with the guidance of my team members. Seeing the results of my hard work being recognized was incredibly rewarding.
As I progressed at ID Africa, I felt a newfound confidence in my abilities. I had gained a good understanding of what needed to be done and how it should be done. I was indeed learning at ID Africa. I enjoyed every brainstorming session because I already got comfortable sharing ideas and not only were they welcomed but encouraged, and I felt like a valued member of the team.
Now, with eight months of experience and knowledge under my belt, having worked with top clients across different teams, I have come to appreciate how much I have grown both personally and professionally. What began as an overwhelming first experience has transformed into a fulfilling and enriching experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to be an ID African, surrounded by talented and supportive colleagues, the fun moments shared, and of course, working with the best humans ever!
With each passing day, I am left with one question, If I have grown this much in just eight months, then what happens after one year at ID Africa? I look forward to continuing my growth journey and seeing my great accomplishments by the end of my internship year under the supervision of my leads at ID Africa.