CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJORS
SKILLS & ABILITIES OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR
Knowledge  Communica on and Media
 Sales and Marke ng
 Customer and Personal Service
 Computers and Electronics
 Administra on / Clerical
Abili es  Oral Comprehension (Listen / Understand)
 Oral Expression (Talk)
 Wri en Expression / Comprehension
 Speech Clarity
 Speech Recogni on
 Deduc ve Reasoning– Apply general rules to spe‐
cific problems
 Close A en on to Detail
 Induc ve Reasoning– U lize specific details to
form general rules
 Problem Sensi vity
 Networking– Form strong interpersonal
rela onships
 Obtain Updated Informa on
Skills  Public Speaking
 Ac ve Listening
 Social Percep veness
 Cri cal Thinking
 Problem Sensi vity
 Service Orienta on
 Coordina on
 Time Management
 Complex Problem Solving
 Judgment and Decision‐Making
*Par ally taken from O*NET OnLIne
POTENTIAL CAREERS
Public Rela ons Occupa ons  Account Execu ve
 Public Affairs Specialist
 Public Rela ons Specialist
 Public Informa on Officer
 Communica ons Director
 Communica ons Specialist
 Public Informa on Specialist
 Public Rela ons Coordinator
 Corporate Communica ons Specialist
 Marke ng Director
*Par ally taken from O*NET OnLIne
Related Occupa ons‐ (Transferrable Skills)  Wholesale and Retail Buyers
 Market Research Analyst
 Adver sing Sales Agent
 Sales Representa ve: Technical Products
 Sales Representa ve: Scien fic Products
 Demonstrator
 Product Promoter
 Real Estate Sales Agent
 New Analysts and Reporters
 Lawyers
 Survey Researchers
*Provided by the Occupa onal Outlook Handbook
TYPES OF EMPLOYERS
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Corporate Enterprises
Labor Organiza ons
Poli cal Organiza ons
Federal Government
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Local Government
Adver sing Agencies
New Networks
Colleges & Universi es
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Professional Schools
Public Rela on Firms
Interest Groups
*Provided by the
Occupa onal Outlook Handbook
PUBLIC RELATIONS RELATED TASKS
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Respond to requests for informa on from the media or designate another appropriate spokesperson or
informa on source.
Study the objec ves, promo onal policies and needs of organiza ons to develop public rela ons strate‐
gies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products and services.
Plan and direct development and communica on of informa onal programs to maintain favorable public
and stockholder percep ons of an organiza on's accomplishments and agenda.
Establish and maintain coopera ve rela onships with representa ves of community, consumer, employ‐
ee, and public interest groups.
Prepare or edit organiza onal publica ons for internal and external audiences, including employee news‐
le ers and stockholders' reports.
Coach client representa ves in effec ve communica on with the public and with employees.
Confer with produc on and support personnel to produce adver sements and promo ons.
Arrange public appearances and exhibits for clients to increase product and service awareness
Consult with adver sing agencies or staff to arrange promo onal campaigns in all types of media for
* Par ally taken from O*Net OnLine
EARNINGS FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALISTS
Median annual wages for salaried public rela ons specialists were $51,280 in May 2008. The middle 50 per‐
cent earned between $38,400 and $71,670; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,140, and the top 10
percent earned more than $97,910. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of
public rela ons specialists in May 2008 were:
Management of companies and enterprises‐ $55,530
Professional, labor, and poli cal organiza ons‐ $55,460
Adver sing, public rela ons, and related services‐ $55, 290
Local Government‐ $51,340
*Provided by the Bureau of Labor Sta s cs (2010‐11)
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS RESOURCES
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Public Rela ons Student Society of America (PRSSA), www.prssa.org
Public Rela ons Society of America (PRSA), www.prsa.org
Public Affairs Council, www.pac.org
Source Watch: Public Rela ons Organiza ons, h p://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?
RELATED BOOKS IN THE CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY (CLC 530)
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Career Perspec ves in Electronic Media
Careers in Adver sing
Vault’s Career Guide to Media and Entertainment, 2nd Edi on
How to Get a Job in Television
Careers for Writers and Others Who Have a Way With Words
The Internship Series: The Media Internship Book 2010