Encouraging Diversity in PR
2nd September 2024
The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), in partnership with Harris PR and the Open Doors Initiative (ODI), is delighted to announce that Carolina Lucca is this year’s recipient of the PRII Scholarship.
Part of the PRII Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative, the scholarship is offered annually to someone from a background or community under-represented in the public relations sector, and covers fees for the PRII Diploma in PR and, this year, for the first time, a nine-month paid internship with award-winning agency Harris PR.
The selection process is run with the guidance and expertise of The Open Doors Initiative which provides opportunities to some of the under-represented members of our society by creating pathways to work through training, education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors says, “The Open Doors Initiative is delighted to work with the PRII and Harris PR to create this paid internship and scholarship opportunity.
It gives those who face barriers to work and education a chance to upskill and develop a career in their chosen field.
It also makes for a more diverse and open workforce in this area that more closely reflects Irish society as it is now. We wish the chosen individual the best and look forward to a great partnership with all, now and into the future.”
Carolina Lucca moved to Ireland from Brazil in 2017 and has over nine years of experience in customer service, relationship building, and gastronomy. She is now intent on pursuing a career in public relations and with the help of the Scholarship will begin the PRII Diploma along with her internship at Harris PR this month.
“Demand for public relations and strategic communications advice has been growing steadily in recent years and, as a sector that wants to employ the brightest and most creative thinkers, it needs to be recognised as open and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds and identities,” says PRII CEO Dr Martina Byrne.
She adds, “Everyday public relations teams in all sorts of organisations are tasked to reach various stakeholders and populations and that works best when the communication strategy is informed by a diversity of lived experience among those responding.
This PRII Scholarship and Internship is about spreading the word that there are opportunities and good careers to be had in public relations.”
Carolina Lucca (Recipient of the PR Bursary) says: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to have received both a bursary and an internship in Public Relations through Open Doors Initiative, Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), and Harris Public Relations.
As an immigrant in Ireland, this opportunity means even more to me, as I understand how challenging it can be to secure such opportunities.
Continuing my studies and starting this new role in PR gives me the chance to be part of something amazing, working alongside such talented people within the Irish work environment. I am eager to learn as much as possible from this experience and am deeply grateful for the support that is helping me advance in my career.”
Harris PR marks 15 years in business this year. Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR, Sonia Harris Pope says:” We set out to mark our 15-year milestone in business by establishing this initiative with the PRII and ODI hoping to help to safeguard the future of the PR industry in Ireland and provide a legacy for the years ahead.
Our industry really benefits from diverse perspectives and experiences, and as Ireland continues to evolve into a more diverse and inclusive nation, so must the PR industry.
At Harris PR we’re keen to invest in the next generation of talent and already have a proven commitment to supporting those new to the profession and encouraging others to consider it. We would like to see more of our peers in the industry consider how they too can take an inclusive approach to nurturing new talent.
We look forward to welcoming Carolina to our team; she immediately stood out with her enthusiasm, positivity and warmth, as well as her drive to further her studies and upweight her skillset. It’s an exciting time to join the agency with lots of interesting campaigns planned for the next few months, and I’m sure Carolina will settle right in.”
Pictured (L-R): PRII CEO, Dr Martina Byrne with 2024 PRII Diploma in PR Scholarship recipient Carolina Lucca and Sonia Harris Pope, MPRII, Founder and Managing Director, Harris PR.
