From Precious
July, 2008
Patricia Macauley
Cultural Diversity Adviser | Marketing & PR
Precious: Tell us about your route to the job.
Whilst studying at university I did a one year work placement at Royal Mail as a Marketing Assistant. I graduated in 1998 with a BA Hons in Marketing. After hours of networking and numerous job applications, I finally found something I felt suited me. I started working at COI Communications (a government publicity agency) in 2000 as Campaigns Manager. It was here I developed my interest in cultural diversity issues as most of the publicity campaigns managed by COI have a diversity element to them. Fortunately for me there was a vacancy in the Cultural Diversity Unit, so I went for it.
Precious: Describe a typical working day.
To be honest there isn't a typical day in the office and that's what I love most about my job, that I'm not tied to mundane tasks all day long. I get to work around 9ish and leave around 5.30ish depending on my workload. My role is consultancy-based and I work on a variety of interesting projects which focus on issues relating to Black, Asian and other minority communities. The main objective of the projects are usually trying to encourage people to change their behaviour, attitudes or perceptions towards a particular issues, for example, the Armed Forces, smoking and organ donation. I spend a lot of time in meetings advising clients how to communicate effectively via media and other communication channels. I usually leave work feeling drained but wondering what challenges the next day will bring.
Precious: What are your career ambitions?
I'm hoping to complete a MA in Communications Studies in the near future. I'm still quite young (or at least I think so) and would like to keep my career options open. Having said this I'd love to be my own boss or work with like-minded people.
Precious: What do you do to relax?
I'm a gym fanatic so that keeps me busy in the evenings. I also enjoy socialising, drinking wine (lots of it) and reading trashy magazines (no names mentioned).
Precious: Any advice to those who wish to follow in your footsteps?
Register with marketing recruitment agencies, look at job ads in the specialist press e.g. Marketing, Campaign, PR Week etc., black press e.g. The Voice and mainstream press e.g. Guardian. Make contact with people within the field. Most importantly, don't lose sight of what you want to achieve. Persevere, believe in yourself and see everything as a learning experience.
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