career advice for early-stage PR professionals
At The PR Student, I focus on:
- How to actually break into PR (writing samples, networking, resumes, internships, portfolios, interviews, etc.).
- What hiring managers look for, and what they quietly reject.
- How to use AI as a tool, not a crutch.
- Real-world skills that don’t always make it into textbooks.
- Career longevity, boundaries, and mental health in a high-pressure industry.
This isn’t theory. It’s practical, experience-based guidance from someone who’s been on both sides of the hiring table.
why listen to me?
Hi, I’m Lindsey (Linds) Bradshaw, and I’ve spent nearly two decades working in public relations — half as a freelancer and half as an agency leader supporting startups and established brands in B2B tech, cloud, security, gaming, and emerging technology. Working with over 100 startups and blue-chip clients like T-Mobile, Microsoft, Pokémon, Atari, and NASA, I’ve led PR launches, crisis communications, executive thought leadership programs, and long-term brand strategies.
While I’ve worked with really amazing brands and executives (including a former U.S. CIO), my passion is mentorship and career development. I want to help early PR professionals be as successful as possible. Why? Well, because with the advent of AI, everything we know about “how to do” PR is changing — and we need strong, confident, and well-prepared leaders.
I’ve hired, mentored, and trained PR talent; led my first agency’s career development and mentorship program for nearly five years; and managed (or mentored) as many as 25 colleagues at a time. I can tell you this clearly: the early-stage PR pros who succeed aren’t the ones with the highest degrees. Or even the internships. They’re the ones who think on their feet, can work under pressure, and are always five steps ahead.
As a nearly two-decade PR pro, I care deeply about the next generation of PR professionals — not just getting them jobs, but helping them build careers that are sustainable and human. Through my PR consultancy, I offer free 1-hour mentoring sessions to current students and very low-cost coaching to new grads and early-career PR associates.
As an ’08 WSU alum, I’ve recently headed back to school to pursue my Master’s degree in Strategic Communications at Washington State University. Someday, I hope to teach tricks of the PR trade at a WA-based university.
Outside of the PR grind, you’ll find me playing golf or in my women’s+ softball league. I’m based in Seattle, Wash. with my husband, Darrell (who I met at WSU in 2005); our blind and autistic son, Lincoln (10); our three dogs, Cooper (11), Grizzly (4), and Cal (4 months); and our three cats — a Maine Coon named Koba (8), and sibling tabbies, Ash (2) and Stone (2).
The goal
My goal for The PR Student is simple:
To help the next wave of PR professionals enter the industry prepared, credible, and confident.
Welcome to The PR Student.
The PR Student 