By: Mayla Lohnes
So, you want to work in Public Relations, after graduation? If you are interested in this type of industry, you will need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as be proficient in people skills. Public Relations is “the profession or practice of creating and maintaining goodwill of an organization’s various publics, usually through publicity and other unpaid forms of communication” (Business Dictionary). If you have often been left wondering what specific job you can obtain within this field, have no fear! The job opportunities are endless.
(Promotional Careers in Public Relations:) https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/public-relations-jobs
One area of PR worth considering is working in non-profit. Non-profit companies benefit from PR in the sense that they need the publicity to help raise awareness for an organization, share a cause, or help to promote an event of interest. While the downfall may be that they don’t pay as well as other areas of PR, they are great jobs to consider if you feel passionate about an organization that you want to get behind. As Brianna Whiting describes, from an online study group on Public Relations and the Non-Profit Sector, non-profit organizations “are those organizations that are tax exempt and rely heavily on donations to keep operating. They often use effective communication, stories, spokespersons, and social media as public relations methods to promote their cause.” The great thing about working for a non-profit is that it usually is a tight-knit organization focused on a larger area of value. Some examples include: The American Red Cross, Special Olympics, or various charities. If you feel strongly inclined to help other people and work for a company that speaks to you, you may want to look into working for a non-profit. Check out the link below to learn more about nonprofit PR.
(Different Types of Jobs in Public Relations:)
https://www.wayup.com/guide/what-are-the-different-types-of-public-relations-jobs/
Another aspect of public relations is working within the digital field of social media, such as a social media coordinator or content creator. In this type of work, you would be responsible for planning, executing, and branding the social media for a company and increasing the company’s brand awareness for their media. Not only are you responsible for creating an appealing social media layout for the brand, but you would be responsible for making the media stand out, so as to increase a brand’s sales as well. It is also important that you have an understanding of how to use social media, such as: Facebook, Linkedin, Snapchat, and Instagram. While it pays to have a knack for social media, it is important to understand that so much more goes into being able to work in this type of field. You must have the passion and the drive, as well as organizational skills to help you stay on top of your work.
(Public Relations Specialists Jobs:)
https://collegegrad.com/careers/public-relations-specialists
Another avenue public relations is a part of is event planning management. One important thing to remember is that public relations is all about building relationships and creating a cohesive reputation for the client, and using those relationships to help create events for a group of people. While public relations within the event planning industry is a rewarding and tedious job, it is not the sole purpose of the job. If you are considering a job in event planning, you must be organized, detail-oriented, and create schedules and objectives. As an event planner in public relations, it is important that you understand the event as a whole (from beginning to end). You must be able to think creatively, as you will want to come up with ideas that are unique and that stand out. It is also important to remember that in event planning, the client is who you will report to the most. Building and maintaining a relationship with your client will keep them satisfied, and make sure you get the wages you deserve. While event planners and PR people sometimes collide, it is the PR people that need to make sure they are working alongside the event planners, so that they are able to give the media coverage on the event at hand.
(Public Relations Job Titles:)
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/public-relations-job-titles-2061504h
While there are a wide variety of jobs in public relations, non-profit jobs, social media coordinator, and event planning are just a few of the many jobs you can get into. Ultimately, it is up to you and your passions that will allow to you narrow down the job that is right for you. Just remember, do something that intrigues you, keep practicing your writing and communication skills, and never give up on your dreams! Public relations can be a rewarding and fulfilling job at the end of the day.
If you want to know more about what public relations entails, don’t hesitate to come to a PRSSA panel. As a member, you will be able to network and build relationships with the panelists.
→ Make sure to follow @csufprssa on Instagram to learn more information about the organization, and to see what nights we will be having our panels. ←
