I cut my teeth writing press releases. In the early days of my career, I spent countless hours crafting them—researching, interviewing, drafting, and revising.
It might not have been exactly half my job, but it sure felt like it.
Over time, I got pretty good at it. My press releases had style—sometimes more than necessary (or welcome). I saw each one as a chance to stretch creatively, even when the assignment didn’t necessarily call for it.
But they didn’t come quickly. Depending on the topic, it could take anywhere from a couple of hours to an entire day to complete just one.
Things are different now.
I don’t write many press releases anymore. And today, anyone can generate a passable draft in seconds by feeding a prompt into ChatGPT.
If AI had been available when I was starting out, I could’vechurned them out in record time.
But honestly, I would’ve missed out on a lot of valuable growth. And that’s what worries me about the next generation of communication pros.
Why Writing Still Matters
Back then, those basic writing tasks—press releases, newsletter blurbs, and other “starter” assignments—were more than just busywork. They were how we learned.
We got to know the companies we worked for, figured out how to structure a message, and began to understand how to connect with an audience.
That kind of hands-on learning built the foundation for our careers. Are today’s communicators still getting that same foundation?
From what I hear, some young professionals are skipping these steps entirely, opting instead for instant AI-generated content.
And truthfully, many managers may prefer it that way—it saves time and avoids the need to train junior staff.
I get it. But looking back, I can say with confidence that doing the hard work made me better. That’s why I offer this simple advice to anyone just starting out:
Write.
Use AI, But Don’t Rely on It
Tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly helpful. They can speed up the dull stuff and leave more room for big-picture thinking.
So no, I’m not saying don’t use AI. I’m saying don’t let it do all the work.
If you’re early in your career, take every opportunity to write on your own. If you’re not getting those chances at your job, create them.
Start a blog. Publish on LinkedIn. Launch a newsletter. Write about what you’re learning, what you’re thinking, or what you’re curious about.
Because writing isn’t just about stringing sentences together. It sharpens your thinking. It teaches strategy, builds empathy, and unlocks creativity. It helps you speak with clarity and confidence.
And if you’re someone who leads or mentors early-career communicators, give them writing assignments. Push for original work. And be willing to coach them through it.
AI is impressive. But people are still more powerful—especially when they’ve been given the chance to grow.