Life After Graduation: Landing a Killer Job in Public Relations

Entry-level positions require recent graduates to possess experience in the field

by Connie Ojeda

​Entry-level job. It’s the key phrase that is on almost every senior’s mind right now. With nearly three months left until commencement ceremonies take place, it is essential for senior public relations students to begin familiarizing themselves with the qualifications necessary for landing a killer job in public relations, soon after receiving a degree.

Despite our eagerness to jump into the workforce, there may be quite a few obstacles that could potentially keep us from beginning our journey if we don’t have the proper skillset. The first – and most important - qualification to begin your career is internship experience. The average entry-level job in public relations requires a minimum of one to two years of internship experience in either an agency or in-house environment. Therefore, if you have yet to begin your internship quest, now is the time.

Most internships span a minimum of three months and are offered up to six months post-graduation. If you begin now, you’ll have time to complete at least one internship.

Aside from the internship experience required for an entry-level position in the field, it is also essential to be skilled in media design, social media and have some experience in writing and editing for a publication.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while internships are the primary gateway to getting a job in public relations, some employers prefer candidates who have experience in communicating with others through a school newspaper or a leadership position in school or in their community. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to hold your publishing requirements at the same level of importance as internships, so you have something to show when seeking a job in the competitive field of public relations.

Quick Facts:

• Public relations specialist employment is anticipated to grow nine percent between now and 2026.
• Top paying cities for public relations specialists in California are Sacramento, Roseville, Arden-Arcade, San Jose, and Santa Clara
• Washington D.C. has the highest job growth by state, followed by Maryland and Texas.

While job growth is at a steady incline, competition in the field continues. Therefore, it is important to continue exploring internship opportunities in an area of value, providing you with unique experience that will set you apart from competitors at your dream public relations firm.