Five minute Abchat - Jessica Allum

Our newest First Class Honours graduate, Jessica Allum answers the Abchat questions...

• What did you want to be when you grew up?

My first life ambition was to be a dancer, but my lack of rhythm and coordination ruled that out. After getting my first cat, Fluffkin, I then decided that I wanted to be a vet. This dream lasted until the age of 15 when I undertook some work experience in Financial PR. From that moment on I knew I wanted to work within business, ideally in the City, in a role that combined the markets with communications.

• How did you get into PR?

My degree was largely focused around business, however I specifically selected to study a module in communications which was highly beneficial as I was exposed to the academic side of PR. I studied at the University of Sheffield and I carried out work experience at a number of Financial PR companies and asset managements firms. In their own ways each placement enhanced my desire to pursue a career in communications. Having graduated in 2011, prior to my role at Abchurch, I gained experience in in-house PR at a hedge fund.

• Describe your role in ten words or less (if that’s possible!):  

Exciting, invigorating, interesting and enjoyable.

• If I wasn’t talking to you now, what would you be doing?

I would be finishing update reports and inviting analysts, lawyers and brokers to the Quoted Company Awards. At the same time I would be absorbing all the different facets to financial and corporate PR going on around me.

• What is the most interesting thing about your work?

There are a number of interesting elements, ranging from arranging analyst and media road shows for clients to witnessing how a piece of media coverage can influence a client’s share price. However I feel that the most interesting aspect of my job is the ability to work within a variety of sectors which enables me to broaden my knowledge and gain valuable experience into City life.

• What developments do you expect to see in the next twelve months?

When considering the broader area of the financial sector one of the key developments likely to be seen relates to tighter regulation in terms of corporate governance. However looking more specifically at the field of PR the first government- funded industry-wide PR apprenticeship scheme has been unveiled. Much more emphasis is likely to be placed on helping those who plan on not attending university in entering the PR sector; not a great surprise given the fact our Prime Minister is a former PR man.