Employee spotlight: Q&A with Abby Major

Over the month of February, we’re focusing on showcasing some of Infinite Global’s top talent.

Helen Bertelli sat down with San Francisco Senior Account Executive Abby Major to learn about her transition from The Brookings Institution to Infinite Global, and why she chose a career in PR. 

How did you come to Infinite Global?

I came to Infinite Global from The Brookings Institution, a public policy think tank, and what I wanted next in my career was to dive into the PR industry, learn new skills and really take what I had been doing in communications to the next level at a top PR firm.

What has it been like to transition to an agency?

The onboarding process at Infinite Global, coupled with the continued willingness of my peers to answer questions, allowed me to quickly get up to speed on the best practices of an industry that was still new to me. On a day-to-day basis, the opportunity — and encouragement — to learn new subject matter has been amazing. My projects have had me learning about technology, tax, automotive, intellectual property and everything in between. I have also really appreciated the how the firm supports us developing new projects in areas of personal interest. For example, with my background in nonprofit fundraising and development, I’m excited to be building out the corporate social responsibility initiative here in San Francisco.

What accomplishment in your life makes you most proud?

I’m not sure how much credit I can take for this as an accomplishment, but a year and a half ago I donated part of my liver to my cousin, who was struggling with a serious condition. There are so many instances in life that make us feel helpless — where there isn’t a clear solution. In this case, there was. I feel fortunate that I was able to do something that so clearly had a positive and transformative effect on someone’s life — and it made me think differently about myself and my relationships with others.

Favorite food?

There is never a time of day or night when peanut butter doesn’t taste good.

What book are you currently reading and why?

I just finished The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. I’m still digesting it — and feel like it’s one I could read again and take away different things. For me, it was an interesting examination of the consequences of our actions.

What qualities do you think make someone good at PR?

At every level, public relations requires an ability to identify and create connections. This takes a variety of forms. It could mean seeing a news story and being able to relate it to a client’s work, but PR professionals also need to build interpersonal connections. We work cooperatively on teams at Infinite Global, we are trusted partners for our client contacts, and we develop patterns of interaction with sources in the media and various industries.

What tips would you give someone who is just starting their career in PR?

Always raise your hand and say yes! There are so many diverse roles and types of work within PR. Never be afraid to try something new. You might learn something about what you really enjoy most and you are bound to get a better sense of what goes into a successful strategy — something that will benefit you at every level and across every project.

Interested in a career in PR? Infinite Global is one of PR News’ Top Places to Work in PR. Check out the job opening for a junior account executive in our San Francisco office.