People who work in public relations help to shape the image of an individual, company, or government. This is done primarily through the dissemination of information, whether via speeches, social media, phone calls, writing, or sales or marketing material. If you're a strong communicator who enjoys creative problem-solving, networking, and keeping up with current events, public relations might be a good career choice.
Working in public relations means, primarily, communicating with the public on behalf of an individual or organization. Public relations can, however, involve handling inter-agency relationships, such as relations between managers and employees. In either case, for the public relations specialist, their role is to create positive publicity for an employer or client. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this includes the following job duties:
Occupation data compiled by BLS puts the median annual salary of public relations specialists at $54,170. For public relations managers, the median salary is $95,450.
Between 2010 and 2020 public relations jobs are expected to grow by 21%, faster than the average for all other occupations. The strong projected growth of public relations specialists led U.S. News to rank the profession #51 on its 2013 list of Best Jobs.
BLS notes that public relations mangers and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree. A degree in public relations, however, isn't necessary. While some schools offer undergraduate degrees in public relations, students can prepare for a career in this field by studying journalism, communications, business, or English. An associate's (two-year) degree can be a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree.
A master degree in public relations or journalism may be needed for public relations management positions. According to BLS, 25% of public relations managers hold a master's degree. In some cases, a graduate certificate might satisfy this education requirement.
Work experience is required for public relations managers. For entry-level positions, on-the-job training is typically provided. A new hire may find himself or herself assigned in a research capacity to a client account under the supervision of more experienced colleagues.
To learn more about becoming a public relations specialist, check out the following links:
The following costs are based on national averages only. Contact individual schools for the most accurate tuition information.
Request information on public relations schools below. Find the school you've been looking for and advance your career today!