When I first joined Chatsworth two years ago as an Account Executive, I was making a huge career change into an industry I’d always wanted to work in but knew almost nothing about.
I’d left university with a psychology degree and no real plan to stay in that field, so like a lot of graduates in London, I went into recruitment. It taught me a lot, and while the hustle of a sales role was fun for a while, something was missing for me. Friends in PR would talk about their relationships with journalists and working on client press campaigns, and I knew instinctively that this was a career I could see myself in.
When I found the job opening on LinkedIn for an Account Executive role at Chatsworth, a fintech PR agency, I jumped at the opportunity and sent over my CV.
The interview process was thorough, and I was upfront about my lack of fintech knowledge, but willingness to learn, and I think that honesty is part of what got me the job. Everyone at Chatsworth wants to see you succeed and is more than willing to teach you. You just need to communicate what you need.
What’s struck me most since joining is how much Chatsworth invests in that learning curve. You’re not expected to arrive as an expert. You’re given time, training and support to build it, whether that’s from colleagues, industry events, or external courses the company funds. That backing is a huge part of how I’ve been able to progress from Account Executive to Account Manager in just under two years.
PR itself has taught me a huge amount too. News moves fast and opportunities can appear with no warning, so I’ve had to get better at staying organised and adaptable, and at keeping several priorities moving at once without dropping any of them.
The other thing I really value here is the trust. There’s no micromanagement, rather people are there when you need them and otherwise let you get on with it. That’s given me the confidence to keep putting my hand up for new things and trusting my instincts on client campaigns.
Two years in, I’m so incredibly glad I made the switch. I came in not knowing what a media list was, and now I’m managing accounts and mentoring the next Account Executives finding their feet, which is a nice full circle.
We were the first communications agency to focus on fintech.
We’ve been building fintech reputations for 20 years, steering start-ups through launch, growth, and onto corporate action while protecting and enhancing established infrastructures.
For intelligent, informed and connected fintech PR which delivers results and value, let us help build your reputation and tell your story.
