New Employee - New Learnings

Hi!

My name is Macrae, and I’m the newest member of Big Sky Public Relations. I just wrapped up my first month with BSPR, and I wanted to share a bit about what it’s been like to join this incredible team.

A Little About Me

After taking a 15-year break from full-time work to raise my three boys—now 20, 16, and 15—I’m thrilled to be re-entering the workforce. Over the past few years, I’ve worked part-time in various roles, but I wasn’t actively looking for a full-time position when this opportunity came along. My background is in marketing and events, and I’ve spent time working with afterschool programs planning their events and curriculum, so this role felt like a natural fit. It also offered a chance to dive into a new industry—public relations—that I didn’t know much about. I knew I’d regret not applying, so I took a leap, and I’m so glad I did!

I’m originally from California but came to Missoula in 1993 to attend the University of Montana, where I earned a degree in Journalism and Radio-TV. After a brief stint in California working as a production assistant for a stock photographer, my now-husband and I moved back to Montana to get married and raise our family—and we’ve been here ever since.

Learning the Ropes

I began training at BSPR in late April, and I was immediately impressed by how professional, organized, and structured the process was—right up my alley! I had the chance to train in person at one of our team’s offices, which gave me a great opportunity to connect with some of my new colleagues.

At first, the idea of working from home was a little intimidating, but thanks to the systems BSPR has in place and the support of the team, it’s been a really smooth transition. Weekly check-ins and casual meetups over coffee to talk through projects (instead of relying solely on emails or Zoom calls) have made a big difference. I’m learning a lot and exploring roles I’ve never had before—and really enjoying it!

Flat Tire, Full Heart

I’ve already had a few memorable adventures! A few weeks ago, my colleague Katie and I were headed to Whitefish when we got a flat tire. Full disclosure: neither of us had ever changed a tire before. I’d seen it done a few times, but never had to do it myself.

With Katie’s help (and tools), and a little determination, I managed to change the tire! We didn’t want to drive too far on a spare, so we made it to a tire shop, where they got us two new tires and had us back on the road in under 30 minutes. We even made it to our open house right on time!

Heart, Grit and Fun

One of the things that really stood out to me during my first month was how BSPR truly lives out its core values: heart, grit and fun. While I’ve seen all three in action this first month, heart is the one that resonated with me the most. From day one, I’ve felt genuinely welcomed and supported - not just as a new employee, but as a whole person returning to work full-time after a long time away. My colleagues show up for one another with kindness, encouragement, and a true sense of teamwork. That kind of heart-centered culture makes a big difference, and it’s part of what makes logging in each morning something I look forward to. 

Looking Ahead

It’s been a busy, exciting first month—and I’m so grateful to be here. The team at BSPR is incredibly supportive and encouraging. I’m truly looking forward to all the growth and adventure still to come.