Are you Lost? A letter from someone with a Computer Science background working in PR
As someone who has a Computer Science background and mainly studied computer programming in languages such as C, C++, Java, PHP, and HTML – as well as graphic design as a hobby – you might be wondering how I landed a job in PR. Well, you’re about to find out!
Where did it all start?
Getting a job as a computer programmer/developer is very competitive and comes with a lot of challenges. Neophyte programmers in particular weren’t in high demand by the time I went looking for work and companies were mainly on the hunt for software developers with very specific skill sets. But at the same time, using Adobe Photoshop was the new talk of the town, and I was fascinated by it, so I tried taking that route. I watched YouTube videos – tons of them – to teach myself new techniques and functions with every new Adobe version update. I then moved to work on Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics and Adobe Premiere for video editing. I was passionate about all things graphic design and with these skills set in place, it was time to use them for what’s beyond just fun!
How did I get here?
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I was working as a graphic designer and social media manager in Iloilo, a province in the Philippines, mainly responsible for creating and editing social media content (photos, videos and graphics). However, I was always keen to broaden my horizons and step out of my comfort zone, so I began seeking new, interesting opportunities. Shortly after, I came across an opening at Atteline for a PR Admin Executive. The first question I asked myself was: “but what is a PR Admin Executive?” and “what is PR?”. I began researching the company and the role, and the qualifications required were the perfect fit for me! Then it hit me, maybe this is what I’ve been waiting for. There is nothing wrong with trying something new. The timing was spot on, so I mustered up the courage to create a portfolio of my work, hit that send button and here I am today, proudly celebrating my first year at Atteline.
What do we do?
Yes, you read that right, I am not the only one at Atteline with a computer science background! There are a few of us based here in Manila, and each of us is an expert at something; be it graphic design, research, troubleshooting, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and many more. We are the backbone of Atteline, supporting the team in Dubai, and the great thing about this company is that we are also learning all about Public Relations, and I think that is amazing. Now that I’m slowly entering the world of PR, I have my eyes wide open for all potential opportunities and learnings so I can be a bigger help to my team down the line.
So what am I, a computer science major, doing in the PR Industry? I sincerely believe that any company should have a specialised IT department, especially in our current time where computers are everywhere, and new technologies are emerging in the blink of an eye. Yes, it is a huge investment, however, it’s a worthy one that opens endless opportunities for the growth of the company. At Atteline, the team and I are working to develop tools to enhance multiple processes within the agency such as Database Systems Management, Automation, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization); one of the most successful strategies in PR today. We work relentlessly to provide easier, time-saving tools in order to ensure our clients’ needs are met.
Am I lost? No, I am perfectly where I need to be. Did I see it coming? No! But did it happen? Yes! Life is mainly about being able to adapt and think outside of the box, even when you think you are somewhere you don’t belong. I hope that you, in whichever field you may be in, become more optimistic, more eager, open to embracing new things and most importantly never tire of learning new things. Always remember to never confuse education with intelligence and you will succeed by leaps and bounds.
Words By: Jerick Conejar, PR Admin Executive at Atteline