General Information:

  • Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the field.
  • Obtain part-time, summer job, internship or volunteer experience within an area of interest. Public relations is a competitive field and related experience is essential to break into the industry.
  • Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up to positions of greater responsibility. Expect to complete administrative tasks in entry-level jobs.
  • Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to develop skills. Join on-campus and national professional associations related to public relations.
  • Obtain additional or advanced degrees to enhance knowledge of specific area of interests. For instance, a Master’s degree in Public Policy (MPP) will increase employability in government and non-profit agencies.
  • Take PR campaign class seriously as it is a good learning experience.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in Public Relations:

 

Account Management: Areas & Employers

Areas – Account Management

  • Issues Management
  • Counseling
  • Employee or Member Relations
  • Media Relations
  • Research

Employers

  • Public relations firms: (Representing various private and public organizations and institutions, individuals and events.)
  • PR departments in large corporations

Account Management: Strategies

Strategies

Strengthen verbal communication skills by taking speech communication courses. Enhance writing skills through additional coursework in business and marketing. Acquire an internship with a PR firm. Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up to higher positions. Consider a master’s degree in PR for higher level positions, especially at the executive level. Learn to work well with teams.

Media: Areas & Employers

Areas – Media

  • Reporting
  • Advertising Sales
  • Writing and Editing

Employers 

  • Newspapers
  • Online news providers
  • Television
  • Radio

Media: Strategies

Strategies

  • Secure federal internships in a field of interest. Develop strong research and writing skills. Get experience with student government or political campaigns.
  • Consider graduate programs in Public Policy/Affairs. Develop foreign language skills. Enhance language skills and cultural understanding through study abroad programs. Gain experience by volunteering with organizations that provide assistance to various cultural groups.

Business and Industry: Areas & Employers

Areas – Business and Industry

  • Advertising Sales
  • Sales
  • Training and Development
  • Human Resources
  • Customer Service
  • Management
  • Direct Marketing -Direct marketers work with the customer through mail, magazines, radio or TV to get an immediate response by telephone, mail or fax.

Employers

  • Public and private corporations
  • Consulting firms
  • Marketing companies
  • Internet marketers
  • Sport and athletic organizations
  • Retail stores

Business and Industry: Strategies

Strategies

Take general business and computer courses. Consider earning a graduate degree in business. Gain experience in organizational development or marketing. Become current with business and industry literature and news. Obtain sales and marketing experience. Work within college sports administration and marketing.

Non-Profit and Education: Areas & Employers

Areas – Non-Profit and Education

  • Public Relations
  • Fundraising
  • Promotion
  • Event Planning
  • Service Marketing
  • Advertising Sales
  • Administration
  • Community Affairs

Employers

  • Museums
  • Charities and foundations (i.e. within the areas of environment, arts, multicultural initiatives, religion and health)
  • Hospitals and healthcare providers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Social service agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Professional associations

Non-Profit and Education: Strategies

Strategies

Get experience through volunteering for non-profit agencies, museums and charities. Obtain internships with non-profit organizations. Gain experience planning events for campus organizations. Consider additional degrees such as MPH (Master of Public Health) to enhance employability. Get sales experience.