Transitioning from Agency to In-House PR (or Vice Versa)

Navigating the pivot and how to succeed on either side.

The grass is always greener, right?

Whether you find yourself navigating the fast-paced world of agency PR or tackling the demands of in-house communications, you’ve likely wondered what life is like on the other side. The reality? Each comes with its own challenges and rewards.

I started my career on the agency side, as an intern at People’s Revolution with Kelly Cutrone—the legendary If You Have to Cry, Go Outside powerhouse herself. (Trust me, "You wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me" couldn’t be more accurate.) From there, I moved on to BPCM and Full Picture before ultimately making the official pivot to in-house comms at Hearst in 2012.

And if you ask me—maybe because of how I got my start—everyone should begin their PR career on the agency side. It’s where you learn to hustle, where you truly understand how results-driven this business is (especially when you’re working to retain clients), and where you master the art of juggling multiple priorities while staying focused on what really moves the needle. That said, the path I took surely isn’t the only one out there.

So, whether you're considering a move from agency to in-house (or vice versa) or just starting out and unsure where to send your resume first, here’s what you need to know to hit the ground running—no media training required.