Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Account Management
- Sales
- Development
- Marketing
- Administration
- Event Planning
- Employee or Member Relations
- Media Relations
- Customer Service
- Research
- Public relations firms representing:
- Private and public organizations, individuals, and events
- PR departments in large corporations
- Public opinion research firms
- Advertising agencies
- Radio and television companies
- Sports and entertainment organizations
- Hospitality and tourism industry
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Labor unions
- Consulting firms
- Freelance
- Strengthen verbal communication skills by taking speech communication courses.
- Enhance writing skills through additional coursework.
- Learn to work well with teams.
- Serve as public relations officer of an organization.
- Get involved with related professional associations as a student member.
- Acquire one or more public relations internships even if unpaid.
- Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up to higher positions.
- Consider a master’s degree in public relations for higher level positions, especially at the executive level.
- Find a mentor in the field to guide your own career planning.
- Be willing to move to locations with more job opportunities.
Media
- Writing
- Editing
- Copywriting
- Reporting
- Broadcasting
- Producing
- Managing/Directing
- Research
- Media Sales
- Media Planning
- Publishing firms including:
- Newspapers, magazines, and books
- Wire services and syndicates
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Literary agencies
- Internet sites/online news providers
- Television and radio stations
- Film industry
- Freelance
- Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Work for campus or local newspaper, radio station, or television station.
- Complete internships in relevant settings.
- Learn applications related to web page design, desk top publishing, and other relevant technology.
- Obtain sales experience.
- Get involved with national and campus professional associations.
- Develop excellent interpersonal, presentation, and research skills.
- Be willing to take any job you can to get a foot in the door with an organization of interest.
- Develop a portfolio or audition tape depending on the industry.
Business and Industry
- Advertising Sales
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer Service
- Management
- Insurance Underwriting and Claims
- Training and Development
- Human Resources
- Labor Relations
- Writing/Editing
- Public and private corporations
- Marketing companies
- Internet marketers
- Sport and athletic organizations
- Retail stores
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Hospitals and other healthcare organizations
- Financial companies
- Insurance firms
- Real estate companies
- Print and electronic media
- Other product and service providers
- Consulting firms
- Earn a minor or double major in business.
- Obtain sales and marketing experience through part-time or summer jobs.
- Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Complete internships in fields of interest to build the skills and experiences valuable to employers.
- Hone computer skills and learn applications such as databases, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and learn to work well on a team.
- Get involved in student professional associations and other campus organizations.
- Consider earning a graduate degree in business to increase opportunities for advancement.
- Stay current with business and industry literature and news.
- Become knowledgeable about corporate social responsibility.
- Build a network of contacts.
Government
- Public Affairs
- Risk and Crisis Communication
- Campaign Marketing and Fund Raising
- Campaign Management
- Media Relations
- Public Information
- City or Town Management
- Programming
- Research
- Lobbying
- Conflict Negotiation
- Program Administration
- Community Affairs
- General Services
- Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
- Federal government:
- There are over 170 departments and agencies
- State governments
- Counties
- Municipalities
- Townships
- School districts
- Court system
- Campaign committees
- Special action committees
- Elected officials
- Political parties
- Lobbying firms
- Take courses or minor in applicable interest area(s).
- Develop strong research, writing, conflict management, and negotiation skills.
- Work on student government or local political campaigns.
- Join related campus organizations and seek leadership roles.
- Develop multi-cultural competence and learn to work well a variety of people.
- There are a large number of specialized agencies within local, state, and federal government. Do extensive research to find the area that best fits your interests and goals.
- Complete an internship with a government agency.
- Maintain a strong GPA as many government programs are competitive.
- Learn government job application processes. Seek assistance at your college career center.
- Develop a network of contacts through referrals and informational interviews.
- Consider earning a graduate degree in public policy/ affairs, public administration, or related areas.
Nonprofit
- Public Relations
- Promotion
- Event Planning
- Service Marketing
- Administration
- Community Affairs
- Fund Raising/Development
- Research
- Program Coordination
- Grant Writing
- Writing/Editing
- Volunteer Coordination
- Training
- Local and national nonprofit organizations
- Charities and foundations
- within the areas of environment, arts, multicultural initiatives, religion, and health
- Hospitals and healthcare providers
- Educational institutions
- Museums
- Historical sites and societies
- Libraries
- Chambers of commerce
- Professional associations
- Special interest groups
- Labor unions
- Gain experience through internships or volunteer positions with non-profit entities.
- Get involved planning events or fund raising for campus or local organizations.
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area, e.g. public health, environment, urban issues. Consider a minor or specific courses to develop this expertise.
- Learn to work well with different types of people.
- Develop a wide array of skills including writing, speaking, budgeting, grant writing, and leadership.
- Consider earning a graduate degree in public administration or nonprofit management to position yourself for great opportunities.
Social Media Management
- Strategy
- Content Planning
- Community Management
- Marketing and Promotions
- Blogging
- Copy Writing
- Search Engine Marketing
- Online Customer Service
- Public relations firms
- Marketing agencies
- Advertising agencies
- Social media management companies
- Media outlets
- Corporations in a variety of industries
- Web application companies
- Freelance
- Get experience with social media platforms, e.g., Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter and location- based social media sites, e.g. Yelp and Gowalla.
- Be adept at learning new technology and tools quickly. Stay abreast of industry news.
- Establish an online presence for yourself, and use it in your job search.
- Complete an internship in social media.
- Volunteer to maintain social media for campus organizations.
- Develop skills important to this field including: communication, creativity, relationship building, and project management.
- Take courses in marketing, journalism, copy writing, and technology.
- Research an industry of interest to learn about its social media presence.
- Learn how to effectively manage negative press.
Education
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
- Student Affairs
- Student Activities
- Leadership Development
- Admissions
- Orientation
- Career Services
- Residence Life
- Multi-cultural Affairs
- Study Abroad
- International Student Services
- Academic Affairs
- Academic Support Services
- Advising, Educational Advancement Programs
- Honors Programs
- Library Sciences
- Colleges and universities
- Professional or graduate schools, including medical
- Adult education programs
- Vocational-technical educational programs
- Obtain a doctorate degree to teach at colleges and universities.
- Earn a master’s degree in a specialized area e.g., College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or Library and Information Sciences to work in other roles at post-secondary institutions.
- Maintain a high GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations to prepare for graduate school.
- Seek campus leadership positions such as peer mentor, orientation leader, or resident assistant.
- Build strong interpersonal skills.
General Information and Strategies
- Develop excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Creativity and good judgment are also critical skills in this field.
- 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.
- Explore specializations within major and field. Select electives or earn a minor to enhance knowledge in area(s) of interest.
- Participate in co-curricular activities to develop skills such as public speaking, team work, leadership, event planning, and fund raising. Join professional
associations related to public relations. - Make the most of public relations campaign classes to learn as much as possible and to generate items for a portfolio.
- Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up to positions of greater responsibility. Expect to complete administrative tasks in entry-level jobs.
- Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find an experienced mentor.
- Obtain additional or advanced degrees to enhance knowledge of specific area of interests. For instance, a Master of Public Policy (MPP) will increase employability in government and non-profit agencies.
