Public Relations Career Options
The way we perceive major brands or well-known people is carefully shaped by expert public relations specialists. Public relations can involve creating marketing strategies, communication and press releases, incident response and conducting public perception surveys. A career in public relations is an exciting choice for individuals who enjoy communication, strategic thinking and dealing with the unpredictable. Learn more about the career paths and opportunities created by a public relations degree.
Why should I earn a Degree in Public Relations?
Public relations involves representing a person or brand’s public image and communicating on their behalf. Studying public relations will allow you to study fascinating topics such as the social dynamics and the psychology of public opinion, persuasive communication, narrative and multimedia communication. A degree in public relations offers intriguing career options.
What can you do with a Public Relations degree?
Here are some common career paths for graduates of public relations degrees.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages the reputation of a company or person by writing press releases, managing campaigns and staying up to date on the public perception of a brand.
- Average Public Relations Specialist Salary: $67,440 per year
- Job Outlook: 6% growth
Social Media Manager
Social media managers run social media accounts for a brand or person. They work to engage with a target audience through posting on social media and interacting with the public through websites and apps.
- Average Marketing Manager Salary: $138,730 per year
- Job Outlook: 6% growth
Event Planning
Public relations graduates have the skills necessary to become excellent event planners. They know how to excel in project management, communication and logistics.
- Average Event Planner Salary: $52,560 per year
- Job Outlook: 8% growth
Journalism
Working as a journalist has a lot of overlap with public relations. The field of journalism requires creative copywriting, connecting with an audience and crafting compelling stories to convey a message about a person, brand, or event.
- Average Journalist Salary: $55,960 per year
- Job Outlook: 3% decline
Marketing and Advertising
Marketing and advertising require an ability to grasp how messaging will be received by different audiences. The skills needed for success in marketing and advertising overlap significantly with public relations.
- Average Advertising and Marketing Manager Salary: $138,730 per year
- Job Outlook: 6% growth
Copywriting and Publishing
While public relations include communication in many different media, professional writing is a major component of public relations training. Public relations graduates can find success as professional writers and publishers.
- Average Writer and Author Salary: $73,150 per year
- Job Outlook: 4% growth
Editorial Assistant
A degree in public relations will sharpen your writing skills and allow you to communicate with precision. Public relations graduates often find work as editorial assistants due to their attention to detail and communication skills.
- Average Editor Salary: $73,080 per year
- Job Outlook: 4% decline
News & Broadcasting
Graduates of public relations degrees will also be well equipped for careers in broadcasting and news media. Many aspects of communication and public perception can be applied in many professional contexts.
- Average News Analyst & Reporter Salary: $55,960 per year
- Job Outlook: 3% decline
Human Resources
Public relations graduates make great human resource specialists. Human resources involves recruiting and hiring new staff, training and supporting existing staff within a company.
- Average Human Resource Specialist Salary: $64,240 per year
- Job Outlook: 6% growth
Nonprofit Program Manager
Working for a nonprofit is a highly rewarding career choice for many public relations specialists. Nonprofit program managers work to manage the reputation of an organization and spread the word about the work the nonprofit does in their community.
- Average Social and Community Service Manager Salary: $74,240 per year
- Job Outlook: 9% growth
Professor
Become a professor by earning an advanced degree in public relations or a similar field. Professors support students as they become experts in their field and conduct academic research.
- Average Postsecondary Teacher Salary: $80,840 per year
- Job Outlook: 8% growth
What do you learn in a Public Relations degree program?
The courses offered in a public relations major will vary depending on the program, so it is important to choose a program that aligns with your interests.
At Palm Beach Atlantic University, Public Relations majors take courses such as:
- Introduction to Media
- Interpersonal Communication
- Communication Ethics
- Communication Theory & Research
- Social Media Management
- Media Law
- Foundations of Journalism
- Foundations of Public Relations
Specializations and Concentrations
A great way to set yourself apart from others in the field is to earn a specialization. Having a specific area of expertise can help you during the interview process. The public relations field is very broad, so developing your skill set in one area can help you narrow down your career aspirations.
Some areas of specialization include:
- Corporate Communications
- Digital Communications
- Government Relations
- Political Campaigns
- Social Media
- Speechwriting
- Investor Relations
Career Projection for Public Relations Degrees
Public relations specialist roles are projected to grow by 6% over the next decade, making now a great time to enter the field. Around 27,100 new jobs are expected to open every year for public relations related roles.
Top Skills for Public Relations Majors
Some of the most important skills to have as a Public Relations major include:
- Creative writing
- Interpersonal communication
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Brand Management
Public relations specialists often deal with unpredictable events and find solutions in short amounts of time. Successful public relations professionals should be comfortable thinking on their feet, taking multiple perspectives and communicating with confidence. While some students may start with higher degrees of these abilities, a degree in public relations is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to succeed in even the most high-pressure situations.
Apply to PBA’s Online Public Relations Degree and Start Your Career in Public Relations Today
Enroll in Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and open doors across a variety of industries.