I’ve been in the public relations industry a while now. Not a very long time by any stretch of the imagination, given that I’m only 26.
But I’ve had my fair share of jobs and internships in various sectors and love what I do.
However, when I think too hard about what I actually do for a living, it often leaves me wondering if I like what I do and what kind of person my job makes me.
Related post: Is It Such A Bad Thing to Be A ‘PR Girl’?
The ethics of PR
As an industry in general, PR has a bad reputation. Known as ‘spin doctors’, we come in and help someone/something that’s facing bad press, get out of that mess and be thought of in a better light.
Aka, spinning the narrative.
Although, I’ve never once had to be a spin doctor, thankfully. Yes, there’s the odd PR crisis to adhere to but nothing deceitful and false.
Not all publicity is good publicity, no matter what a lot of people would have you believe.
Related post: The ‘Purpose’ of PR
The beauty industry
I work in the beauty industry. It’s fun, involves a lot of amazing brands and products, and it’s booming on social media (especially TikTok).
Like I said previously, I love what I do. I love the brands I work on, the products are amazing and I love the thrill I get when I see my products featured in Vogue, ELLE or any magazine. I also love the influencer content I work on and the creators I get to work with.
However, when I deep it, I sometimes question if what I do is really adding value to the world.
What does it really mean?
I’m promoting fragrance. I’m promoting lipstick, mascara, eye shadow and more.
I’m not solving climate change. I’m not saving lives. I’m not helping the homeless crisis. So what am I doing, and why am I doing it?
Sure, a fragrance could be bought as a gift for someone and make the recipient and the gifter feel good. A luxury lipstick could be a treasured item in someone’s makeup bag.
But what value am I adding to the world as a whole by promoting beauty products?
Could I be doing something more important?
Are there other ways that I could use my PR degree? Perhaps I could join a charitable organization, but would that make me feel better?
Sure, it wouldn’t be anywhere as glamorous as the beauty industry but it might make me feel like I’m making a difference in some way. Maybe I could get into politics and fight for change that way.
Or I could use my platforms as a voice for those less fortunate, or shine a light on situations happening around the world that we’re ignorant to.
There are so many things I could do to feel like I’m making a difference in this world, but I have no idea where to start.
What’s my purpose?
But what is it that I want to do to make a difference? What invokes emotion in me the most? What am I most passionate about? Where could my skills be best put to use?
I know I haven’t found my purpose in life yet, and there’s an itch that I haven’t scratched. But it’s hard to scratch that itch when you don’t know exactly where or what it is.
What I do know, is that I want to make a difference, or help to make a difference at least. I want to feel that I’m doing something every day to help someone or many people.
When I discover what that is and how I can do that, you’ll be the first to know. Maybe it’s going to be time for some soul searching soon.
Leave a Reply