What can I do with this degree?
PUBLIC RELATIONS

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

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

• Reporting
• Advertising Sales
• Writing and Editing

EMPLOYERS

• Newspapers
• Online news providers
• Television
• Radio

STRATEGIES

• Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Get a summer job or internship with a newspaper, TV or radio station
• Work with college newspaper staff or radio station
• Develop strong computer skills and learn applications related to web page design
• Obtain experience in the area of sales
• Get involved with national and campus professional associations.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

• Government Relations
• Risk and Crisis Communication
• Campaign Marketing and Fundraising
• World Affairs and Diplomacy
• Media Relations

EMPLOYERS

• Government agencies (local, state,& federal)
• Chambers of commerce and tourism councils foreign embassies
• Campaign committees, coalitions, initiatives, and networks

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

• 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

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

• 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

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.

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