Chart your course: How to grow in PR without losing yourself
By Monique Farmer, APR
In early January, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of eager learners who met early in the morning via a virtual webinar. All were ready to dig into their 2026 goals and hit the ground running at the very start of this year.
Let’s talk about your career for a minute. Whether you’re just breaking into public relations or you’ve been at it for a while, there comes a point when you start asking yourself: Am I growing? Am I fulfilled? Where am I even headed?
Trust me, I’ve been there.
Years ago, I was leading communications for Nebraska’s largest school district. It was a 24/7 role, and I mean literally 24/7. Media calls at all hours. Issue after issue. Constant demands. From the outside, it likely looked like I was always steady and ready. But on the inside? I was exhausted. And something had to change.
That shift didn’t come overnight. It started with a question from my life coach, Julie Landi:
“What would your perfect workday look like? Not a vacation day, but a real, fulfilling workday?”
That question changed everything for me. And now, I want to pass that pivotal moment on to you.
Step One: Figure Out Where You Are
Before you can decide where you want to go, let’s pause and figure out where you actually are.
Here’s a quick gut-check:
- What part of your work lights you up?
- What part drains the life out of you?
- What are people always coming to you for?
- Is that the thing you want to be known for?
Take stock. Because when you can name where you are you can start mapping out your next step, not someone else’s step, but yours.
Step Two: Create Your “Perfect Day” Vision
Yes, I’m serious. Write it down.
Where are you working? What kind of clients or projects are you tackling? Who’s on your team? How are you spending your time? How do you feel at the end of the day?
When I wrote mine, I didn’t realize it would lead to a total pivot. But within a year, I made the decision to work in my PR firm full-time versus part-time, published a book, pared down my teaching load to one course and aligned my life with the impact I wanted to make.
That vision didn’t just live in my journal. It became my compass.
So go ahead. Write yours. No filters. No “what-ifs.” Just envision.
Step Three: Choose the Lens That Fits Right Now
Not everyone’s in the same place. Your growth plan shouldn’t be either.
Here are four ways to look at your career path, depending on where you’re standing:
1. The Builder Lens
You’re in learning mode. Maybe you’re early in your career or switching industries. This is your time to build core skills, soak up knowledge and figure out what kind of communicator you really want to be.
2. The Explorer Lens
You’ve got some experience, but things feel… stale. This is your permission slip to try something new. Volunteer for a different kind of project. Take on a new sector. See what sticks.
3. The Strategist Lens
You’re ready to lead. Not just do the work, but influence it. It’s time to build your reputation, mentor others or maybe even speak, teach or publish.
4. The Harmonizer Lens
You’re tired. You’ve been doing the most for a long time, and you’re ready to work smarter, not harder. It’s time to reclaim your time and design a career that honors your life, too.
There’s no “best” lens. There’s only the one that fits your season. So ask yourself: Which one feels most like me right now?
Step Four: Let Tech Work For You, Not Overwhelm You
Look, the tech is here. AI tools, writing assistants, media monitoring bots. It’s all evolving fast. But don’t let that intimidate you.
Think of AI like an enthusiastic intern. It can help you brainstorm, organize your thoughts or speed up research. But it still needs your eyes, your judgment and your voice.
You’re the strategist. The creative. The human who brings the why to the what.
Use the tools that make your job easier. Ignore the hype. And don’t forget to gut-check everything with your professional integrity.
Step Five: Build Your Career GPS (Gaps, People, Steps)
Here’s a quick system to use when I’m feeling stuck:
Gaps
Where do you need to grow? Is it in writing, leadership, crisis comms, pitching? Be honest. No shame here.
People
Who’s in your corner? Who’s mentoring you, challenging you, opening doors for you? Build a “personal board of directors,” even if it starts with just one person.
Steps
What’s one small action you can take this week? Maybe it’s signing up for a course. Maybe it’s scheduling a coffee chat with someone you admire. Small steps move mountains.
Step Six: Advocate for Yourself with Receipts
Want that promotion? Need to push back on unrealistic workloads? Don’t just feel it. Show it.
Track your wins. Document the results you’re driving. Create visual dashboards or simple bullet-point reports. The more clearly you show your value, the easier it is to advocate for yourself and for others.
Step Seven: Redefine What Success Looks Like (For You)
Let’s be real: Success in PR used to be defined by how busy you were. How fast you responded. How many press hits you got.
But real success? That’s impact. Alignment. Peace.
Maybe your next big move isn’t about climbing higher. It could be about stepping into a role that fits your season or finally saying no to work that doesn’t serve you. Maybe it’s about believing you’re worth more — because you are.
Final Thought: You’re Not Stuck. You’re Becoming
Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
You don’t need permission to pivot. You don’t need a title to lead. And you don’t need to have it all figured out to take the next right step.
Just start where you are. Write your perfect day. Pick your growth lens. Take one bold step. Then another.
Your path is yours and you get to chart it.
Want to Bring This to Your Organization?
If you’re an event planner, university leader or professional association looking for a keynote or workshop that helps your audience think more clearly about the direction of their career and their education, feel more connected and take purposeful action, let’s talk soon.
Monique Farmer, APR, runs an award-winning PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions and is the creator of Anvil Ready, an online communication strategy builder that helps communication professionals create communication plans. She has taught at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Farmer spent 12 years working in the federal government before her time in corporate communications at ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands), then leading communication strategy for Nebraska’s largest school district. In March 2024, she published her first book, Chart Your Path: A 9-step Method to Getting Unstuck.