From the Newsroom to Something New: A Journey Into Public Relations and Digital Storytelling

Before joining SW Strategies, I worked as a journalist for two years. I never imagined leaving the newsroom, but the long shifts eventually took a toll on me. I knew I needed a change, even though I had no formal background in public relations.

I stumbled upon SW Strategies on LinkedIn. I had no expectations, no degree in public relations, and no agency experience. So when I landed the job offer, it felt surreal.

I started in February 2024. That’s when everything shifted.

Finding my footing in PR work

Everything was unfamiliar: remote work, a lean team, new expectations.

I felt like a fish out of water — awkward, unsure, yet somehow very excited.

My first campaign was for HER Courage Leaders’ Summit. When we secured a media interview on Singapore radio, I almost cried.

That tiny win made me feel like maybe I wasn’t completely lost, after all.

There were plenty of days I felt like I was stumbling around in the dark.

But I was lucky. A colleague, Danial Halim, joined around the same time, and we leaned on each other during those confusing early weeks.

His presence and camaraderie, and our Managing Director Jose Raymond’s support and guidance helped me stay grounded.

First big girl job

One of my biggest professional milestones came when I was tasked to lead our PR initiatives for the 2024 Bali International Airshow. It was my first major public relations campaign. With a background in journalism, I thought I understood the defence and aerospace sector quite well. But managing the event through a PR perspective was a completely different challenge.

Our five-person team handled everything: press releases, media relations, talking points, invites, and last-minute crisis management.

The deadlines were tight, and expectations were sky-high, but I learned so much from the experience. I learned how to work with Indonesian media, and the kinds of stories that resonate with Indonesian audiences, those with national impact and economic relevance.

I also built long-term relationships with journalists I hope to collaborate with again.

A rough patch: Mistakes, burnout and growth

But journeys are never smooth. By November 2024, things began to unravel between me and Jose.

A string of small mistakes, mostly spelling errors and slow replies to clients, began to pile up like an unstable Jenga tower.

But the one that made it all collapse was a careless email I sent to a journalist. I had misspelled the company’s name, and the journalist hit “Reply all” with a sharp, slightly mocking response.

It felt like the floor opened below me, like a trapdoor.

It wasn’t just embarrassing — it was a wake up call. I was slipping, and I knew it.

Strangely, I wasn’t afraid of losing my job.

What hit harder was the disappointment I felt in myself. I knew I could do better.

I HAD done better. But the pressure, the fatigue, and creeping self-doubt had chipped away at me.

Jose and I had a very difficult conversation afterwards.

No shouting, just the kind where every sentence feels heavier than it should. Eventually, he offered me a one-month sabbatical — not as a punishment but as a reset, for both of us.

I needed it. I took it.

And I was grateful for it.

Because sometimes, space is the most generous gift you can offer someone who’s struggling to find it.

Redesignation and Rediscovery

After my sabbatical, I came back to a new title: Digital Content Creator. It terrified me. I didn’t know anything about sports, and now I was expected to write for TMSG, our alternative sports platform which is one of the digital assets under the umbrella of our firm.

Danial became my supervisor. Jose stepped back, giving both of us space to rebuild our working relationship.

As I dove into the role , I found that it wasn’t just about match reports. It also involved social media content, Instagram carousels, and eventually, video editing. Surprisingly, I enjoyed editing.

That spark opened doors for me to try new things. I started editing for TMSG, then for SW Strategies’ client events, and later on, for personal projects.

It was in this space that I finally began to feel like I belonged.

The redesignation gave me room to express myself creatively. From wild cuts to experimenting with new formats, I had the freedom I finally needed.

Starting our podcast: “HR Won’t Like This”

Our podcast, “HR Won’t Like This”, began because Jose couldn’t get Danial and me to stop talking. We’d trade unfiltered stories about work — gossip, gripes, awkward resignations.

So, one day, Jose told us, “Why don’t the two of you start a podcast?”

And so we did.

The podcast became a platform for real, raw conversations about the workplace: topics like toxic bosses, quiet quitting, burnout. Stories that people rarely share publicly, but deserve a voice. Stories that make people feel seen, and not alone.

This not only sharpened my editing and improved my communication, it also helped me find my own voice, gave me a sense of creative ownership and vision.

Maybe someday, we’ll build our own studio.

Finding my people

I didn’t expect to get close to anyone on the team. I told myself I’d stay mysterious, do my work, and keep my head down.

But then I met Danial. We didn’t click instantly, but within months, we were trauma-dumping like lifelong friends.

Maybe it’s because we were the only Malaysians on the team at the time. Maybe we just needed someone who understood. Whatever it was, that friendship became one of the most important parts of my journey here.

Now, we talk non-stop inside and outside of work.

I also found community within the regional team. There’s an unspoken understanding. We respect each other’s work, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s room for weird memes, unfiltered jokes, and the kind of banter that makes remote work feel less isolating.

Working here also taught me to become a better listener, more open to feedback, and more intentional in giving it.

Sometimes, people just need a safe space to vent. I want to be that someone they can turn to, even if it’s just to talk about a tough day.

What I’ve learned: Growth through empathy and curiosity

In SW Strategies, I’ve learned that I thrive when I’m allowed to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow.

I’ve learned how to give and receive feedback with more empathy. And I’ve learned that being a good team player means showing up both emotionally and professionally.

Even though we’re a fully remote agency across six markets within Southeast Asia (with only the Singapore team having a dedicated office space), I still feel connected.

There’s a culture of respect here: no late-night texts, no weekend pings (unless it’s urgent).

That space for work-life balance makes all the difference.

A quiet confidence: Embracing uncertainty

This year gave me something I didn’t even know I needed: confidence.

Not the loud kind, but the quiet kind. The kind that says, I’m still learning, and that’s okay.

I still have doubts. I still ask, “What if I mess this up?” But now, I also ask, “What if it works out?”

And sometimes, it does.

So, if you’re reading this and feeling uncertain of where you belong – maybe you’re a fresh out of school or stuck in a job that doesn’t quite fit – you don’t need to have all the answers.

Take that chance. Apply. Ask. Try.

Because you just might find a place that sees your potential before you see it in yourself.

Tags: Public Relations, Remote Work, Content Creation, Digital Storytelling, Workplace Culture, Creative Careers. Career Growth, Podcasting