For newcomers to public relations and those who have been working in the industry for many years, one important question dogs their career: should you work for an agency or go in-house? Working ‘in-house’ means working within a company, so all your PR tasks are solely for them. At an agency, however, you could be working on several clients a day, giving you a better chance to broaden your portfolio.

Not sure which path to choose? Read on for a quick guide on the benefits of working in-house or for a PR agency.

The benefits of working in-house

Whether or not you’re suited to an in-house job largely depends on your personality. By and large, your workload in-house will be smaller and more predictable. That’s because you’ll be working directly for the company whose PR needs you deal with. So if there’s an upcoming product launch or a major event on the horizon, you’ll probably know months in advance and be better able to prepare for them. In contrast, working at an agency means you’re relying on your client for information – more planning on their part may lead to lots of last minute requests and less time to get the job done right.

Moreover, in-house PR gives you the opportunity to concentrate on the industry that means the most to you. For instance, a PR agency that specialises in live performance is likely to have you working on big theatrical events, music festivals and stand-up tours that span the entire country, if not further afield. But if your particular passion lies in the stage, working in-house for a theatre means you can concentrate on public relations for the discipline you love the most.

Why agency life might suit you

Despite the relative comfort of life as an in-house public relations expert, there are a slew of advantages to working at an agency too – whether it’s PR in Scotland (http://www.holyroodpr.co.uk/), London or all over the world. For example, an agency offers the perfect introduction to the industry if it’s your first job in PR and you’re still unsure of your favoured vertical. At an agency, you’ll get to work with a range of clients from a variety of industries, which should give you a chance to develop your own passions and skills.

Agencies also offer a more fast-paced and creative atmosphere for PR professionals. In-house, you may be the only PR manager around but you’ll be surrounded by like-minded colleagues at an agency, all of whom are interested in the same industry developments as you. This makes an agency the perfect dynamic environment in which to hone your public relations skills.