Hannah Arceri Fleurant

I attribute my success to mentorship, hands-on agency experience, and strong client relationships. The guidance I received from professors and early supervisors helped shape my foundation and gave me confidence as I entered the industry. Working in fast-paced agency environments pushed me to grow quickly and develop practical, real-world skills across a variety of clients and industries. Over time, building strong, trust-based relationships with clients has been essential, leading to meaningful media results and long-term professional success.

The best career advice I’ve received came from my university communications professors, particularly Andre Williams, along with the real-world experience I gained through internships during college. Their guidance encouraged me to stay in PR and helped me see how my skills could translate into a meaningful career in the field. Those early opportunities gave me practical, hands-on exposure that reinforced my interest and helped me build confidence as I entered the industry.

I think it would just be, you know, really get out of your own way and flex on your writing skills. I do feel like if you're already going into this field, you know how to write well. I think mentorship is a big thing in this field, too, so really depend on mentors around you that are giving you their time and their advice, because they obviously have the wisdom in the field. Really lean into parts of the field that you enjoy, because I do feel like PR has so many different definitions in other people's heads, but once you find out the vertical or the exact type of PR that you enjoy, really stick to that. Network - that is one of the best things you can do for yourself in PR. Meeting people, putting yourself in positions where you're constantly exposed to all different types of walks of life when it comes to business. Get comfortable with talking to higher-ups because you have to almost sell yourself. Find your inner confidence, and that'll get you very far, because you clearly know what you're doing if you're there now and someone's trusting you and hiring you. This is a really big opportunity to just kind of spread your wings, and each time you get nervous, just kind of remember why you're in this field, if it brings you joy. Trust your gut - if something doesn't feel right, it's probably because you're not happy within the industry you're in, so try something completely different, like food and bev, or hospitality or retail. There's so many routes within PR, so don't feel like you're pigeonholing yourself by being in one industry that isn't serving you.

The biggest challenges in my field right now include agency burnout, heavy client loads, managing client expectations, and navigating contractual or non-compete constraints that can limit flexibility and career mobility. At the same time, there are significant opportunities emerging, particularly in niche B2B PR areas such as fintech and construction, where specialized storytelling is in high demand. There is also strong growth in personal branding and LinkedIn strategy for executives, as well as in maximizing earned media by repurposing press coverage to strengthen SEO and sustain long-term visibility across digital platforms.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are mentorship, strong human connection, authenticity in storytelling, collaboration, and community engagement. I am committed to building meaningful relationships and supporting others’ growth while ensuring stories are told with honesty and intention. I value working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes and staying actively engaged with my community. Maintaining flexibility through freelancing is also important to me, as it allows me to balance my work, creativity, and personal well-being.