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Communications / Public Relations Degrees

Career summary: Public Relations Specialists

Average Salary

$61,150

National Average, Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

Good

6% job growth by 2028, which is as fast as average

Earn a degree in communications / public relations from an accredited college

The field of communications encompasses all forms of conveying knowledge, thinking, and ideas to others including speech, writing, acting, presentation of visual images and sound, etc. If you are interested in media, broadcasting, performing, journalism, telecommunications, computer presentation, movie making, public relations or the business aspects of any of these areas, a degree in communications may be right for you.

Overview

Communications original

Why would I want a public relations degree?

Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Employers prefer candidates who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

Job Description

What does a public relations specialist do?

Public relations specialists typically do the following:

  • Write press releases and prepare information for the media
  • Respond to information requests from the media
  • Help clients communicate effectively with the public
  • Help maintain their organization’s corporate image and identity
  • Draft speeches and arrange interviews for an organization’s top executives
  • Evaluate advertising and promotion programs to determine whether they are compatible with their organization’s public relations effort

Salary

How much do public relations specialists make?

The median annual wage for public relations specialists is $61,150 as of April 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Most public relations specialists work full time during regular business hours. Long workdays are common, as is overtime.

Career Outlook

How popular are public relations specialist jobs?

Organizations will continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations as a way to maintain and enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly because both good and bad news spreads rapidly through the Internet. Consequently, public relations specialists will be needed to respond to news developments and maintain their organization’s reputation.

Increased use of social media also is expected to increase employment for public relations specialists. These media outlets will create more work for public relations specialists as they try to appeal to consumers and the general public in new ways. Public relations specialists will be needed to help their clients use these new types of social media effectively.

Career Path

How do I become a public relations specialist?

Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business. Through such programs, students produce a portfolio of work that demonstrates their ability to prospective employers.

Employers prefer graduates who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

Salary and career outlook data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Learning Format

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