Path to Prosek: From PA to AAE – Camille Stafford
Next up in our Path to Prosek PA to AAE series, Camille Stafford from our New York office. Camille – take it away!
What has your experience at Prosek been like thus far?
My experience at Prosek has been incredible. I continue to feel very supported by all my teams. The way in which Prosek goes about the work is unparalleled. The collaboration amongst teams a
nd the opportunity for each team member has allowed me to progress as a professional and person. Prosek is genuinely invested in the development of their people and are committed to excellence.
What was the Apprentice program like for you?
As a very recent graduate of the PA program, I can only truly appreciate the short-term benefits. It is clear how impactful these past few months will be on my career. I learn best by doing and the PA experience gave me the opportunity to do more than just learn about the industry, I was fully immersed.
With previous internships, I was exposed to the fundamentals of PR, but it wasn’t until I joined the PA program at Prosek that I began to understand the scope and impact of PR. As part of the PA program, I was paired with both a manager and media mentor who have been instrumental in my professional development.
What would you recommend about the Prosek Apprentice Program?
The Prosek PA program is a great balance between autonomy and support in the workplace. As my first experience in a full-time professional setting, the PA program afforded me the chance to learn, grow and explore financial PR.
One of the most important parts of the program is the feedback and its more than just constructive, its catered. Understanding my areas of growth and what steps to take has helped me navigate the transition from an apprentice towards a full-time employee.
What have you learned so far?
Learning is a continual process. One of the biggest things that I’m learning at Prosek is to embrace one of Jen’s mantras – “Just Ask.” Sometimes finding the courage to ask questions can be intimidating, but the response is often rewarding. Whether it be industry knowledge, or a casual catch up, connecting with colleagues has helped me become more comfortable with my teams and understanding the complex landscapes of each client.
Also, I’m learning how to communicate often and early. This is a work in progress and I’m excited to continue working with my teams to hone these skills.
What has been your top moment at Prosek thus far?
My top moment thus far at Prosek was a bit of a lightbulb moment. In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor event, but it made all the difference in my understanding of “big picture” PR and how to assess the news for potential opportunities. While clicking through the headlines of a top tier publication, I saw a piece and presented it to my team as a mere idea. Once the team determined the topic as newsworthy, we went to work.
The energy and intelligence of the team was contagious, and we all worked together to assemble a media strategy that resulted in great coverage for our client. Five months later, the topic is still covered in the media and has become a consistent stream of coverage for the account. This was the first time in my (short) career that I really saw the pieces of the PR puzzle come together. Seeing the PR process from start to finish has helped me tremendously on all my accounts. 