Path to Prosek: From PA to AAE - Kelly McMahon
Next up in our Path to Prosek series, Kelly McMahon shares her experience as an AAE in New York.
Share 2-3 sentences on your general experience at Prosek so far. What’s it been like, and what have you been up to?
My experience at Prosek so far has been so amazing. Since day one, I have felt supported and pushed to be my best and step outside of my comfort zone. I have learned so much about the different aspects of PR and financial communications. I am now working on five accounts and a range of different subject matters such as asset management, private equity, hedge funds and executive visibility. I also have the privilege of working with our digital team on one of my accounts, where I write social media copy and counsel on social strategy. This particular opportunity has given me a window into one of the other offerings here at Prosek and allowed me to explore my creativity, all while working with a great team. The ability to have a “custom career” (as we say at the firm) and work on different projects has been very fulfilling.
What was the PA program like for you?
The PA program was exactly what I was looking for after college. It was an amazing opportunity to work and learn over four months, and I felt like everyone at Prosek was really invested in my career and journey as a young professional. By the time the four months were over, I felt really prepared to make the next step in my career, and I could see the improvement I made since my first day.
Why would you recommend others join/apply to the PA program?
I think joining a program like Prosek’s after college helps you ease into the workforce. Learning about the industry through this structured, four-month program is helpful since everyone at the agency takes their time to make sure everything you learn is soaking in. Also, since everyone comes from a different background, Prosek makes sure all Apprentices have the tools to build a successful career, which I personally appreciated.
Another reason I recommend joining the PA program: Apprentices frequently get together to reflect and learn from each other throughout the program; and experiencing my “first job” milestones among peers I know and trust has been a great added bonus!
What are the top 1-2 things you’ve learned at Prosek so far, and how have those lessons helped you succeed here?
I have learned about client service; how, in our industry, it is important to make sure our clients are happy; and just how far the “little things” go in the world of client service. Based on my experience, it’s clear that clients really appreciate attention to detail, and those I’ve worked with have been happy to point out when we are doing a great job.
Another thing I have learned is the importance of accountability, time management and communication. Transitioning from college, the workforce can be intimidating because you are responsible for your workload and time, and no one is reminding you of your responsibilities. Working at Prosek, I’ve learned useful skills that have helped me effectively manage my time and communicate with team members about where I am on certain projects. Learning this has helped me succeed across my teams. On one account, I helped reorganize our content calendar so that when a request comes in from our client, we are prepared and organized. Having internal processes in place and asking about where I fit in on accounts has helped me define my role and help the team work more cohesively.
If you had to choose, what’s been your favorite moment at Prosek since joining?
I think my favorite moment so far at Prosek was the day of my final review of the PA program. I was really proud of what I had accomplished over the course of the program. Walking through my review with my manager, it was nice to reflect on how I had grown and how my colleagues had helped me along the way! I love how personal my review felt and how my manager and HR took the time to walk through my progress with me from day one, halfway through and at the end of the program. I walked out of this day feeling really confident and ready to take the next step in my career as an AAE! 