Public Relations Careers

Learn about how to start your public relations career.

A public relations career puts you in charge of a company's communications. In addition to maintaining your company's image to the general public, you may be responsible for supplying internal information to employees or external information to stockholders or business partners.

Public relations specialists create copy for media distribution, act as a liaison to the media and sometimes purchase advertising.

At some companies, public relations specialists arrange public exhibits, meetings or conferences that generate goodwill among the target audience. Some PR professionals may give lectures or speeches on behalf of their employers.

The ability to communicate well is arguably the most important skill a PR specialist can possess. Because the job hinges so much on presentation and perception, it is imperative that you are able to write clearly and effectively, talk easily with others (including media contacts) and speak comfortably in front of a group. You will also find that research skills, the ability to work quickly and efficiently, and creativity will all come into play in your public relations career.

Public Relations Career Path

	Entry Level	Mid Level	Senior Level
Types of Roles	Public relations specialist, research assistant	Account manager	Vice president, public relations director
Experience	0 - 3 years	3 - 10 years	10+ years
Getting There	Communications, marketing or public relations bachelor's degree Some work experience, in the form of part time job or internship Strong language and writing skills Understanding of media and human behavior in the marketplace	All entry-level requirements Professional accreditation Management experience Proven problem solving skills	All mid-level requirements MBA degree in marketing, communications or related field Professional accreditation and recognition Superlative management experience
Salary*	$44,523	$97,476	$130,063
Description	Develop informative, convincing promotional materials that advance company image Forge professional contacts with media	Direct team of internal public relations specialists Manage public relations for an external client	Oversee all aspects of company image and promotion Develop high-level public relations strategies

_{* Depends on company size, specific job, and location
Sources: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA); Princeton Review; Salary.com, 2009; Bureau of Labor Statistics}