A major in public relations, advertising, or applied communication learn how toutilize communication tactics to help shape a company's, organization's, or brand's image and to deliver information to the public.

We witness public relations in action when a businessadvertises on social media, and emergency management agency spokesman answers reporters' queries after a natural catastrophe, or a corporation issues a written statement introducing a new product or project.

All About My Public Relations Major in College! (Courses, Jobs/Internships, Salary)

What Is A Public Relations Major?

A major in public relations is a subfield of communication studies. PR majors learn how to issue public comments and press releases, sometimes utilize social media, and how to collaborate with journalists to address public-interest concerns.

Why Pursue A Career In Public Relations?

Careers in public relations are appealing to ambitious persons who seek diversity in their everyday tasks and love assisting others in leveraging and promoting their greatest characteristics. Those that excel in public relations usually have an open mind, sociability, a strong eye for detail, and the capacity to flourish in high-pressure situations.

Public relations specialists must weave eventsand facts into coherent narratives that portray clients favorably. As a result, they must be persuasive and have a solid knowledge of rhetoric as it pertains to spoken and written language.

Public Relations Degree

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees are offered in public relations. Even if you're still wondering what you can accomplish with a public relations degree, any of these degree programs are accessible online, giving you more freedom as a public relations student. Students in these programs may take courses in areas such as:

• Public relations writing
• Public relations
• Strategy for Public Relations
• Public relations research
• Campaigns for public relations

If this still doesn't address the question, "What can I do with a public relations degree?" you may be dreaming too large.

As we've seen, there are numerous public relations degree positions accessible in the sector, but there are master's degree programs in public relations that may help one grow in their profession.

Those in public relations who want to develop or extend their possibilities might consider pursuing a master's degree in public speaking, businessadministration, communications, or a similar subject.

Gained Skills Through A Public Relations Degree

Students seeking a public relations degree learn how to develop a public relations plan, connect public relations goals with advertising and marketingtactics, and cultivate positive public perceptions for their businesses.

The degree improves numerous important abilities that public relations practitioners need in the workplace, such as written communication and public speaking.

• Interpersonal Skills. Public relations specialists often contact the general public and the media in order to build a positive image for their organizations. Professionals in public relations must have good interpersonal skills in order to succeed. Students in public relations learn these abilities through group projects, presentations, and internships.
• Organizational Skills. Public relations experts frequently handle numerous client accounts, plan various events, and supervise a staff of public relations specialists. Individual and group projects help students develop excellent organizing abilities.
• Public Speaking. By demanding in-class presentations, a public relations curriculum improves students' public speaking abilities. These public speaking abilities are useful for public relations specialists since they are frequently called upon to speak on behalf of their organizations.
• Writing. Papers and projects help public relations students hone their writing abilities. Public relations specialists with strong writing abilities can create news releases, speeches, and advertising material. Professionals must be able to express themselves clearly in writing.
• Communication. Communication is at the heart of public relations in many ways. The ability to communicate a message clearly and concisely assists public relations practitioners in all industries, including strategic communications, copywriting, advertising, and marketing. Papers, presentations, and internships help public relations students improve their communication abilities.

Related Programs That Might Interest You

Contact the institutions listed below to learn more about start dates, transferring credits, financial aid availability, and other topics.

After graduation, these specializations will prepare graduates for specialized public relations employment. Students should keep in mind that concentrations differ per program, therefore they should do their homework on the concentration options at each potential institution.

The following is a list of some of the most frequent job pathways for public relations graduates.

• Advertising. Public relations majors who want to work in advertising study topics such as print and broadcast media, successful advertising tactics, and advertising communications strategies. Copywriting and persuasive writing abilities are also taught to students. Advertising and public relations objectives may be linked in the curriculum.
• Strategic Communications. Students who choose this job learn how to connect communications with a strategic plan or corporate identity. Students learn how to communicate effectively to promote an organization's brand, maintain positive brand identity, and deliver successful messaging to consumers. The emphasis might also be on outreach tactics and coordinating with marketing and advertising.
• Social Media. A focus on social media equips public relations professionals to integrate social media approaches into strategic communications, public relations, and marketing. Students investigate social media theory, digital communications, and organizational uses of social media for brand identity construction. Search engine optimization(SEO), digital strategy, and digital analytics may also be included.
• Media Relations. Students of public relations who specialize in media relations study how to establish a strong relationship between an organization, agency, or corporation and the media for the goal of public relations. Students learn how to control media coverage, connect with media organizations for interviews, and use media relations to promote a business.

Common Coursework Expected Of Public Relations Majors

A public relations degree route is frequently part of a university's journalism and communication college, thus PR majors may expect to take certain coursework alongside journalism or media studies majors.

These classes might include an introduction to mass communication or a careerin communication, as well as media ethics and communication law.

PR students also take concentration-specific coursework, such as an introduction to public relations, public relations writing, public relations strategy, and public relations research.

Public relations majors may be required to take a course or complete a capstone project that includes demonstrating knowledge of how to run a public relations campaignand compiling a portfolio of their work. They may also be required to complete an internship before graduating.

How To Know If This Major Is The Right Fit For You?

Public relations majors must be good communicators with a strong drive to spread knowledge. You may compose press releases, design social media posts, and deliver television interviews all on the same day if you work in public relations, so you should be good at both writing and speaking in public.

You must also be able to operate under pressure and be available to accept a reporter's call or write a written comment outside of a typical 9-to-5 workweek.

To major in public relations, you don't have to be an extrovert, but you should have excellent people skills, work well in teams, and be able to create relationships.

What Can You Do With A Public Relations Major?

A major in public relations can lead to a variety of occupations, including those in public relations. Learn more about the many public relations vocations as well as the degree program itself.

Jobs In Public Relations

If you're wondering what you can do with a public relations degree, a bachelor's degree with a major in public relations may lead to a number of intriguing careers.

Public relations professions are typically concerned with communication and the dissemination of information to the general public. In this section, we will go over a few public relations majorcareers, how to acquire a PR degree, and what to do with a public relations degree in greater depth.

Public Relations Manager

A bachelor's degree in public relations or a similar subject is typically required for public relations managers, however, some companies may prefer a master's degree in public relations or a related field. These experts generally work full-time and may spend long hours to assist develop and managing their client's public image (s). They might be in charge of:

• Controlling press releases
• determining how to reach out to specific audiences
• Assisting with marketing
• Recognizing Social Trends
• Developing an image in response to trends
• Managing internal communications
• Supervising employees

Public Relations Specialist

For public relations experts, a bachelor's degree in public relations is often the ideal education. Public relations experts, like public relations managers, assist their customers to establish a favorable public image. These experts could:

• Social media should be monitored.
• Respond to media inquiries
• Press release drafts
• Check to see if the advertisement is in line with the public's image goals.
• Make time for interviews.
• Prepare speeches for their customers.

Technical Writer

A bachelor's degree is generally required for technical writers, but it might be in English or another communications discipline, such as public relations. As they create pieces for target audiences, generally on a specific product, these writers must be able to communicate coherently. They may write journal papers, instruction manuals, and other technical materials. This may need them doing the following:

• Look into the product.
• Determine the most effective method of communicating with the intended audience.
• Produce product content.
• Make changes.
• Include consumer comments.
• Maintain technical information uniformity across customer service, marketing, and other divisions.

Is Public Relations A Good Career?

Careers in public relations are in high demand. High-profile organizations, businesses, and people frequently strive to have a carefully controlled and curated public image. In the digital age, the field is more relevant than ever.

Is A Degree In Public Relations Worth It?

Employers are increasingly looking for people with specialized degrees, especially considering the effect of the internet and social media on the industry. Professionals with degrees in communications, business management, or marketing may also be qualified for specific PR roles.

Is PR A Good Major?

Yes. Public relations is a highly competitive industry, and a degree is almost always required. While English, journalism, and communications majors frequently transition to public relations, if you know you want to work in public relations, you're better off enrolling in a more specialized public relations degree program.

What Is A Career In Public Relations?

Public relations professionals plan, develop, implement, and evaluate information and communication strategies that foster knowledge and a positive perception of organizations, their goods and services, and their position in the community.

Is It Hard To Get A Job In Public Relations?

You don't have to major in public relations, but it will be more difficult to get into the field if you don't. People who majored in public relations have a big advantage, therefore if you study in the liberal arts, you should educate yourself about it through other means, such as internships.

What Is The Starting Salary For Public Relations?

Casual employment experience in a customer service environment is beneficial. Entry-level employment as a Public Relations Assistant may have a beginning annual income of $35,000 - $40,000 per year, whereas the typical compensation for a Public Relations Manageris in excess of $65,000 per year.

What Does A Career In Public Relations Look Like?

Account management in public relations includes managing business-to-business or business-to-client campaigns, recruiting clients, and planning and implementing campaigns. PR communications professions entail creating and maintaining a client's or company's public image through appearances, press releases, and social media.

Why Are You Interested In Public Relations?

Working in public relations helps people to interact and establish relationships. Those who love interacting with a diverse range of people and personalities will find this job to be ideal for optimizing their abilities. Many public relations practitioners are great writers with strong storytelling and communication abilities.

Can You Make 6 Figures In PR?

A bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a similar field is often required for public relations practitioners. PR professionals with numerous years of experience can go to management and earn six-figure salaries.

Does Public Relations Have A Future?

To summarize, the future of public relations appears to be the future of your business, and as long as the media environment changes, public relations will have to adapt to maintain brand relevance and durability.

What Do PR Students Do?

Students seeking a public relations degree learn how to develop a public relations plan, connect public relations goals with advertising and marketing tactics, and cultivate positive public perceptions for their businesses.