By its very nature, public relations is an industry that doesn’t allow things to be done by half. The role typically demands high resilience levels, enough passion to push you when you’re doing overtime and the sheer determination to meet client needs.

For Sophie Donne, account executive at Work & Class, overdelivering at 100mph was not an issue — but it did turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as she is now one of the only part-time account executives in the UK. 

The spark

Before she had even finished her masters degree in journalism from Goldsmiths, Donne picked up her first PR internship in April 2022.

“It was pretty intense doing both at the same time. I wouldn't recommend it,” Donne laughs, but also makes it clear she isn’t really joking.

She had previously completed an internship with Humanitarian Operations which she says was only, “a little bit of PR, but mostly social stuff”, so scoring her first proper PR internship was a huge moment.

But, just as Donne began to enter the world of work and prove her moxy with a PR internship, a close family member passed away, and Donne was “let go”.

During her first PR internship, a close family member passed away. This impacted Donne personally and professionally, and exacerbated a period of low mental health.

This caused a rising level of uncertainty within Donne, as she questioned whether she had what it takes to be in PR. She eventually came to the conclusion that it wasn’t a reflection of her ability, but rather a lack of support.

The internship left Donne feeling like a damp squib, but she dusted herself off and reignited the PR spark with a new job.

“I then went on to get a job as a junior account executive [in 2023], but I was struggling more than anyone else. I didn’t understand why.

“It was around that time I realised that I was neurodivergent.”

Donne explains that she assumed she had ADHD, and is currently waiting for an assessment, but was diagnosed with autism in 2024. A diagnosis which she says “made a lot of sense” given the areas she was facing significant difficulties with.

Striking a match

Having struggled with depression from a young age, Donne says she “always knew” something was going on.

“It was always misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression. Then TikTok exploded and people were sharing their own stories about how neurodivergence in women presents itself.”

This clicked for her, as she had been “struggling” with things like, “status reports, staying on track of all the granular details and being able to hear and process conversations” for call notes.

“Now I can understand where my difficulties come from and I can actually accommodate those,” she adds.

Receiving a diagnosis of this nature can set off a grieving process within a person, who perhaps remembers instances they were not supported or given the help they needed, especially in educational or workplace settings.

This was true for Donne, who despite having her suspicions about neurodiversity still found the diagnosis a shock. While this was happening, Donne who was one of her agency’s top media leads, tragically lost another close family member.

The combination of the two meant she had to take time off to focus on her wellbeing.

“During that time I was reflecting on my career journey. I realised that I love PR but I'm just not able to do it full-time. I was trying to find a part-time role, and saw occupational health therapists. I was trying to make it work with my agency at the time because it's a great agency and the culture is amazing, and very supportive.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t make a part-time position work but luckily, I got an email from Laura Burch, the founder of Work & Class, which was looking to take on someone at my level on a part-time basis.

“And, as far as I'm aware, it's the only part-time role available at my level. I haven't ever come across another part-time role.

“Since starting, I've been incredibly productive and I haven't had to take any sick days. Whereas when I was working full-time, I would need more working from home days or I would have to call in sick [from burnout].

“With three working days, I'm able to be productive enough to do five days of work within three days because I hyperfocus but need that time in between to recover and come back next week and be ready to go again.

“Work & Class being so flexible has been exactly what I need, meaning I haven't had to take any sick days. It's sad to see that the PR industry in general doesn't really have that.”

Tending to the fire

Donne is now calling on the PR industry to start looking at disability reporting so PRs that need reasonable adjustments will see agencies “taking a chance” on them.

“That's something that the PR industry really needs to start looking at, because neurodivergent people can bring so much to PR.

“A lot of agencies are scared of taking that chance on people, but it can work.

“I've met lots of junior account executives that have come into the role and are looking into the possibility of being neurodivergent.

“They found it very difficult to keep up with agency life and being on five to six clients; it's a lot. I don't think that there's much available to support people with that.

“If people had a bit more support at the beginning of their career, it would set them up for the rest of it. There's a lot of strengths that come with being neurodivergent that really lends itself to PR, but there's a lot of challenging things as well. And I think it's just having the right support in place to be able to deal with that.”

She also says that young PR professionals, and graduates, should not view taking time off after university as a failure. But she adds that she understands that personal situations, like her own, do not always allow the luxury of a gap year.

“I know a lot of people who have started in PR and then had to take a break after a couple of years because it can be so intense.

“It's definitely worth pacing yourself and carving time out, but I don't regret doing what I've done because it got me where I am today.

“I've been very lucky that I've had people take a chance on me. I've been very lucky to get the accommodations I needed, because that's not widespread across the industry. The biggest help was cutting down to part-time.

“I would like to say to anybody who thinks they might be Neurodivergent and is struggling; it's okay, it's valid that you're struggling and you deserve that support.

“Don't feel defeated, anything is possible. I never thought that I would [be here now], I thought I would have to leave PR. I didn't think that I would be able to continue within the industry. But luckily, I found my people.

“I think things are changing slowly, so just hold on to hope and keep being you."