Public Relations Specialist

Print

Work Tasks

• Help an organization keep a good relationship with the public
• Write news articles about the activities of the organization
• Keep managers aware of what the public thinks about the organization
• Handle press, community, and consumer relations
• Work in offices and at local events for management and public relations firms, schools and colleges, churches, health care organizations, social services agencies, advertisers, manufacturing plants, banks, department stores, bus and train companies, electric companies, insurance firms, trade and professional groups, and the government
• Work with research materials, articles, speeches, photographs, brochures, booklets, films, slides, budgets, financial records, advertising agencies, radio/TV stations, newspapers, reports, and proposals

Salary, Size & Growth

• $56,500 average per year ($27.25 per hour)
• A large occupation (225,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.4% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in public relations, journalism, advertising, or communications
• Employers Prefer: Experience and skills in a field such as information technology, health care, science, engineering, sales, or finance
• Skills/Courses: College courses include public relations, management, business administration, communications, computer technology, advertising, journalism, political science, psychology, sociology, and creative writing.
• Certification/Licensing: Accreditation is available.