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 & EmployersAreas – 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: StrategiesStrategies
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 & EmployersAreas – Media
Reporting
Advertising Sales
Writing and Editing
Employers 
Newspapers
Online news providers
Television
Radio
Media: StrategiesStrategies
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 & EmployersAreas – 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: StrategiesStrategies
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 & EmployersAreas – 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: StrategiesStrategies
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.