What do you mean by career in Public Relations? 

Public Relations majors can be engaged into two major responsibilities: Promoting a brand and protecting it. 

On the promotional side of PR, professionals help businesses or individuals develop a positive reputation with the public through various unpaid or earned forms of communication, like placements in traditional media, social media, and blogs. 

During crises, the protective side of PR helps their company or clients maintain their public reputation or even defend it. 

The uniqueness of PR allows: 

  • It aims to create and maintain a positive image. 
  • Brand to build a relationship with an audience. 
  • Strong appeal for ambitious individuals.
  • Ability in individuals to thrive in high-pressure environments. It aims to create and maintain a positive image. 

Different Careers and Roles you can pursue in Public Relations 

what is Public Relation
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Publicist: It is where you come up with publicity campaigns and identify the best ways to promote brands to customers

Internal Relations: In this, a PR or you deal with the employees of an organization by cooperating with them during launches, events, reminders and projects. 

Social Media Manager: In this, you promote the brand on various social media channels, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Content Creation: The content creation team, of which if you are a part of, usually crafts positive stories about a brand that the media relations team pitches to journalists. 

Financial Communication: At public companies, the financial communications team forges relationships with analysts and investors to improve their financial reputations

Media Relations: Concentrate and learn how to build a strong relationship between an organisation, agency or business and the media for public relations. 

Community Relations: The community relations team makes sure their company or client lives out to their potential as a socially responsible corporation. The brand impact on the community gives journalists positive stories to write, which increases their number of press placements and strengths their public reputation. 

Public Relations Education 

Students have to have graduation first, from the desired stream which really doesn’t matter. Later, all they need is a Post-Graduate diploma or Degree course at a leading institute specialized in advertising or Mass Communication, to launch their career in PR. A Bachelor Degree in Journalism, Communication, English, Business or Public Relations followed by an MBA degree could be a great pathway. 

If students major in Public relations during college, their degree will cover three main disciplines: 

Writing For Mass Media: PR programs require students to take classes in media ethics and Law, Multimedia Storytelling, Public Speaking Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Business writing. 

Communication and Media: Learning Mass Media trends, its effects on society and benefits of Communication Skills through papers, presentations and internships. 

PR Theory and Applications: Students will learn Fundamentals and Strategic concepts of PR, specializing, advertising and marketing programs to ensure they meet the Organization’s goals and public relations strategy. 

How Long Does It Take To Get A Bachelor’s In Public Relations? 

Well, Bachelor’s students generally graduate in about four years. However, the characteristics of a program and student preferences can impact the length of the degree. And for quicker graduation, students can also take up additional credits or even enrol themselves in summer and winter courses. Some Schools allow ambitious students to pursue an accelerated course of study. 

Top Institutes In India 

  1. Indian Institute Of Journalism and Media, Bangalore
  2. Xavier Institute Of Communication, Mumbai. 
  3. Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune 
  4. Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad 
  5. Asian College of Journalism, Chennai 
  6. Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi 
  7. Times School Of Journalism, New Delhi
  8. AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research, Jamia, New Delhi
  9. International School Of Business and Media, Pune
  10. Manorama School of Communication, Kottayam

Top Institutes Abroad

  1. University Of Amsterdam ( Netherlands) 
  2. University of South California (USA) 
  3. London School of Education and Political Science (UK) 
  4. Goldsmiths, University of London (UK) 
  5. Columbia University (USA) 
  6. Stanford University (USA) 
  7. New York University (USA) 
  8. King’s College London (UK) 
  9. UC Los Angeles (USA) 
  10. Yale University (USA) 

Also Read: Things You Must Know About Architecture, Interior Design & Civil Engineering

How Can Students Enhance Their Careers In PR?

If you are a Prospective PR professional, improvise your public relations degree with additional training that includes optional professional certifications and continuing education programs to expertise in commitment to the field. 

Essential Skills gained by the help of a Public Relations degree:

  • Creativity
  • Research
  • Plan and build Strategy
  • Internal Communication and communication with the public
  • Organizational skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Writing

Different Job Options you can opt for:

  • Advertising account executive 
  • Advertising copywriter
  • Event manager 
  • Media researcher 
  • Public relations officer 
  • Social media manager 
  • Marketing executive 
  • Public affairs consultant 
  • Sales promotion account executive 

Work Experience Required to Enhance PR Skills 

As we know, PR is a competitive field and to get into any pre-entry experience, marketing and media are highly desirable. One can take advantage of any work placements in the course to develop skills and knowledge and build a network for future potential opportunities. 

Volunteering in PR related roles, you can look for internships, try all the opportunities with universities to get involved with planning events, writing press releases and contacting media outlets, which can benefit you with the initial work experience in your desired career. 

Hence, as well said, The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.” Therefore, it is up to you if you want to become a PR. Chase after your dreams and excel in them. 

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Archana Mehta
Archana Mehta

Archana. Mehta is the Co-founder of Edu.Counsell and trained Global Career Counsellor. With 10+ years of experience in the education sector, she diversified her career by becoming a Career Counsellor. While Volunteering at the Times group, she realized to help students explore skills and strengths, consider education levels and give advice about continuing education, and determine interests and personality type. That's how she came into the career counselling industry.

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