Think of your favorite brand for a moment. What sticks out to you about this brand? Do they have a memorable commercial? How about an awesome logo? What about your favorite football player as their endorser? If you’ve ever wondered whom the person in charge of a brand’s personality and image is, that would be the person in charge of public relations (PR). You to could be in control of representing your favorite brand’s image as well if you take up a major in PR.
Education
Public relations specialists typically need a formal degree in order to succeed in this field. You would generally get a bachelor’s degree in PR, communication, journalism, advertising, or business. PR can be a broad field of study, so you will take classes in many different areas of communication and business.
What to know before you apply
A student who studies PR is going to be doing a lot of socializing and writing. Make sure you are comfortable putting yourself out there, because that is how you will succeed in this field. It also helps to be creative and have an eye for design.
Companies are often looking for students with experience, so be prepared to complete internships in the field of PR to gain as much experience as possible. You will also need a nice portfolio to display your work, so make sure you are ready to put in the time to complete this.
Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PR majors earned an average pay of $55,680 per year as of 2014. The need for companies to maintain their public image is expected to drive up employment growth, so expect there to be strong competition for jobs in this field in the near future.
