Starting a Career in Public Relations
You don't go out into the world without your best face on: you have a morning cup of coffee, brush your hair, and put on your best suit before you hit the street. Public relations specialists perform this same best-face function, but for companies. They make sure the company maintains a connection with the public and has a good reputation. They have the communication skills necessary to let the public know what the company is up to, and to help the company maintain a good relationship with the people.
Read MoreAdvanced Public Relations Credentials
Earning advanced public relations credentials can give you a leg up in a competitive job market, or boost your earning power by helping you quickly advance up the promotions ladder at work. You can seek professional certification, such as an APR or an IABC credential, once you have gained a few years of on the job experience and are ready to take the leap to a more senior role in the field.
Read MoreUndergraduate Public Relations Degrees
Earning a public relations degree as an undergraduate gives you an immediate advantage in the job market. However, a public relations career can start with any number of undergraduate degrees in related fields, including journalism or communications, so long as the coursework itself covers the core topics necessary to build P.R. skills.
While every school’s curriculum is unique, there are common topics you should expect to see in your major’s requirements. If you don’t find these subjects among the classes offered, you may not be enrolled in a program that meets the industry’s educational standards.
Public Relations Internship Tips
A public relations internship is often the first hands-on professional experience for a student or recent graduate, and can not only lead directly to a job through networking, but can help establish a career specialization within the public relations field.
By choosing an internship of a specific type (i.e., with a large agency or a boutique firm, in the nonprofit or international business arena, etc), you will not only get a chance to learn about that kind of career, but will gain credibility in the eyes of future potential employers within that niche. The more focused your career goals, the better you can select an internship that will propel you forward on that path.
Public Relations Salary Expectations
A public relations career can mean an annual salary of anywhere from $30,520 to over $120,000. The amount you earn depends on your background and qualifications, but there are two other major factors: what part of the industry you choose to focus on for your career, and where you’re located geographically.
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