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Daryl Ho

Profession
BA (Hons) Public Relations graduate
College
London College of Communication
Person Type
Alumni
Daryl Ho

Biography

Daryl Ho graduated from BA (Hons) Public Relations at London College of Communication in 2019.

Interview

Why did you choose to study BA (Hons) Public Relations at London College of Communication (LCC)?

I’ve always been fascinated by stories and I think public relations is simply a creative way of storytelling. I did a mass communication diploma in college back home in Singapore and found myself gravitating towards the discipline, so I decided I wanted to pursue it in university. I’ve always wanted to study abroad in a city that’s dynamic and exciting, and also had the opportunities for me to pursue what I’m passionate about, and LCC ticked all those boxes for me.

What have you been up to since graduating?

Since graduating, I've been with Manifest, a brand communications agency in Clerkenwell. I'm currently a Campaign Executive and my day-to-day role essentially involves keeping our client accounts and creative campaigns running in tip-top shape. That probably sounds like a broad description, but that's what I love the most about my job; I get to manage and support different strategic functions within accounts - from press office and media relations, to influencers and social content, to creative activations and executions. I never have the same day twice!

What opportunities did the course / LCC provide you with to enhance your employability? 

The course has a module called Public Relations Professionalism which you study in year two, and this really helps you with professional development and preparation through work-based learning. The module coves essentials like crafting CVs and cover letters, interview skills and how to prepare a portfolio of work. We also undertook work placements and internships as part of the term, which is a good stepping stone to accessing the industry.

In what ways did you engage with industry whilst studying BA (Hons) Public Relations?

I was fortunate enough to have had many opportunities throughout my three years! For starters, I attended regular guest lectures and networking events with renowned academics and practitioners, which gave valuable insights into the dynamic industry. In my first year, I also visited New York as part of Creative Week, where we visited various PR and creative agencies giving us a flavour of the PR industry across the pond. We also got to attend The One Show which showcased some of the best creativity and talent around the world. As mentioned above, I also completed internships and work placements as part of a Public Relations Professionalism module - that's how I ended up with my current role at Manifest! Finally, for my final major project in third year, I worked on a live brief with PR agency Hotwire, who were great mentors in preparing me for my professional endavours ahead!

What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from studying the course?

Make all the mistakes you can and then learn from it. No one ever gets things right the first time, and that's one of the greatest things of being in university. Being able to fail in a risk-free environment, but also being able to improve yourself with the support system and resources available around you. You can only get better from there after all.

Why would you recommend studying the course to others?

The course gives a very good insight into what public relations is all about. It's been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, learning about and getting involved in one of the most dynamic creative industries in a city like London. Not to mention, the vast industry network we have within the course and the wider college is unparalleled. I don't think a lot of people can say that they landed their dream job even before graduating university, and none of this would have been possible without the opportunities presented by the course.

What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?

Come in with an open mind – the course doesn’t teach you to be a PR practitioner in a specific industry/sector, but it equips you with the skills and knowledge to be industry-elastic.

Also, don’t be afraid of making mistakes and learning from them. It allows you to understand your strengths and weaknesses and what you like and dislike, which is important to think about once you graduate into professional practice.

What was the highlight of your LCC experience?

I’d say meeting so many fantastic people from all over the world.

Related area

View the BA (Hons) Public Relations course page.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500

Address

Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB