Not quite sure if a career in PR is really the right choice for you? Consider arranging a job shadowing opportunity to get an inside look at what goes on in the life of a PR specialist. You might also consider the following benefits of this type of career:
Career Versatility
Versatility can be one of the benefits of pursuing this career path. The most common career path is to become a PR specialist. PR specialists are responsible for carefully curating the brand and public image of an organization, person or other entity. This is generally an entry-level role.
After gaining some work experience as a PR specialist, you might then choose to position yourself to pursue career advancement. A PR manager may execute some of the same job duties as a PR specialist but will also generally have supervisory duties and be responsible for the overall strategy and branding of their clients.
Other similar career possibilities to consider include the following:3
- Public relations manager
- Public relations specialist
- Editor
- Technical writer
- Writer and author
- Media and communication worker
Positive Job Outlook
The job outlook of a profession is always a key consideration when evaluating one’s career possibilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth rate for PR specialists to increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 19,200 jobs in the field.4
Highly Sought-After Across Diverse Industries
As you can see, there are several career choices to consider when pursuing a public relations career path. It should also be noted that individuals with a communications or PR degree are needed in virtually every industry. Some students develop their future with an eye toward breaking into a specific industry.
For PR-inclined graduates, that list of possibilities can include the following:2,4
- Finance
- Media
- Education
- Healthcare
- Advertising and marketing
These are just a few industries where PR and communications specialists play a crucial role.
Meet Interesting People and Take on New Challenges
On any given day, you might meet with clients, interact with social media commenters, write a speech for an executive or visit a TV studio to give a live interview. To sum up, no two days are exactly alike, and no two clients are, either. The diversity of clientele and variety of responsibilities can make this career ever-changing.
Examine Skills You Can Use in Your Personal Life
If you choose to earn a communications degree, you’ll be taught skills you’ll undoubtedly find useful in your professional life. However, you may also find those skills are relevant to your personal life. For example, you’ll have opportunities to become an effective communicator who speaks and writes persuasively and applies proven strategies for conflict resolution. You will likely explore small group exchanges, public relations fundamentals, critical thinking skills and ethical decision-making.
