From mucking out to making an impact: A reflection on my first week at Viva 

Within hours of meeting me, you’ll hear I have a horse! So, to reflect on my first week I thought I’d lean into that. Viva definitely doesn’t muck around when it comes to impact. The mane focus is on the clients, and the account team are firmly in the saddle. 

My first week here at Viva, joining the team as a Junior Account Executive, has meant moving to bigger pastures … and I don’t regret it for a minute! OK, enough of the horsing around! 

Stepping into the office for the first time, I was greeted by the endless opportunities that public relations and Viva specifically has to offer.  

I’ve been getting to grips with their project management tools, clients and the team, and their extensive health and wellbeing offer. 

I’ve been involved in client meetings and conversations about campaigns – including one focusing on the third kit launch of my beloved Bolton Wanderers Football Club – the team my family and I idolise. That’s when I knew this was the place for me. 

I’ve been given constructive feedback and coached on how to carry out the tasks set. I’ve been greeted by a constant flow of support from the Viva team. I’ve even been presented with my own Viva merch, which has made me feel part of the strong and hardworking team. 

Viva has a hybrid working policy – two days in the office, and three days from home. Even when working from home I was never out of the loop due to the Viva virtual office.

The variety of clients Viva has is extensive, with each account requiring different skills and experience. So far, I’ve been certifying and writing content for an education client, carrying out research for a charity and feeding into the wider team. My highlight was witnessing the behind-the-scenes work for Bolton Food and Drink Festival – the biggest food and drink festival in the UK. I’m looking forward to the day I get to work on an account like that. it in the future. 

I also had the opportunity to sit with the producer of the in-house “PR in the Real World” podcast – I hope to potentially contribute towards it in the future. 

Overall, the first week has been like horse riding. It removed my blinkers of PR and made me feel confident riding swiftly into the next few weeks. However, there’s a lot to learn. I recognise that I need to canter before I can gallop.