Are you the kind of person who has the ability to improve any situation?
Do you have unique suggestions for highlighting the skills and characteristics of others?
Are there any celebrities or brands that you particularly enjoy because of their internet personas?
These brands and celebrities have clever individuals working to shape and display their image in the best positive way.
If networking, managing and promoting sound like your cup of tea, you’ve come to the right spot to find a job that suits your personality.
This blog will cover the definition of a public relations specialist, the qualifications needed to succeed in the profession, the stages to becoming an expert in the industry, the best universities to further your education, the top PR recruiters, and their corresponding salaries.
Who is a Public Relations Specialist?
A public relations professional assists their employer or customer in developing and maintaining a positive public image. They write news releases, plan and manage public relations campaigns, and raise funds for their organizations.
They develop, manage, and execute public relations strategies to assist customers in maintaining and improving their public image among internal and external audiences.
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How to become a public relations specialist [4-step guide]
If you believe you can persuade others, speak intelligently, and work well under pressure, a public relations (PR) career may be right for you. As a public relations representative, your main responsibility will be to act as a campaigner for various businesses, institutions, individuals, and governments.
To become a qualified and experienced public relations specialist, you can follow these stages:
STEP 1: Stream Selection
PR is usually categorized as journalism and mass communication, both of which are branches of the arts. It is recommended that you pursue Arts after 10th grade in order to be knowledgeable in the topic. Although you can study any stream like science or commerce after 10th through 12th grade because you can seek admittance to any Arts college for mass communication through entrance or merit.
STEP 2: Educational Qualification
You can pursue a career in public relations after graduating from any field, preferably mass media. You can also pursue a one-year postgraduate diploma in public relations or a two-year master’s degree in communication and journalism with a specialization in public relations in the second year.
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How to become a PR Specialist after 10th?
It is important to develop a variety of abilities, including communication, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and decision-making, in order to become a strong public relations specialist throughout your school years.
After finishing the 10th grade, to become a public relations specialist, you can join any stream for the 12th grade, however, students are required to enroll in arts or commerce to be more intellectually in line with the job description.
You can pursue a diploma as a PR specialist after completing your graduation.
How to become a PR Specialist after 12th?
Candidates in the field of public relations can begin refining their talents while enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or diploma program.
Undergraduate courses in India:
Students from any stream who have completed class 12 and have met the basic requirements may enroll in a public relations course.
The majority of the time, admission is based on merit (the best BA public relations schools require a minimum grade point average of 90% in classes 10 and 12), but some schools, including IIMC Delhi, JMI New Delhi, and Delhi University, also require students to take university-level entrance exams to be admitted to their BA public relations programs.
The basic requirement by all the universities abroad is to clear IELTS or TOEFL.
Different courses for pursuing Undergraduate courses in India:
COURSE | DURATION |
BJMC (Bachelors in journalism and mass communication | 3 years |
BA in journalism and mass communication | 3 years |
BMM (bachelors in mass media) | 3 years |
Top undergraduate courses in India for Public Relation
COLLEGE | PLACE | FEES |
IIMC- (India Institue of Mass Communication) | Delhi | 1.02 L |
Symbiosis Institute of media and communication | Pune | 11.05L |
Bennett university | Noida | 9.33L |
Xavier’s Institue of communication | Mumbai | 2.64L |
Banglore University | Banglore | 56.63K |
Amity University | Mumbai | 3.59L |
KC college of management studies | Mumbai | 50K |
St. Xaveirs college | Kolkata | 45K |
St. Joseph college | Banglore | 2.01L |
Kalinga university | Raipur | 3.76L |
Undergraduate courses abroad:
Public relations can be studied at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with diplomas, certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees available. Diploma and certificate programs normally last one or two years and teach the fundamentals of the field.
The most common path of study is to earn a bachelor’s degree in three or four years. These programs are normally provided as a BA, but some colleges may offer PR degrees as a BSc if they include more analytical and mathematical marketing components.
Different courses for undergraduate courses abroad:
COURSE | DURATION |
Bachelors in advertising and public relations | 4 years |
Bachelors in digital communication and PR | 3 years |
Bachelors of arts in communication and PR | 3 years |
Top undergraduate colleges abroad for Public Relations
COLLEGE | LOCATION |
Regent’s University | London |
American University | USA |
Bournemouth University | UK |
California State University | USA |
Centennial college | Canada |
Dublin City University | Ireland |
EU Business school | Switzerland |
Sacre Heart University | USA |
Western Kentucky University | USA |
University of Lincoln | UK |
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Diploma program after graduation
A diploma in public relations is a one-year course in mass communication. Students can study public relations management, brand, image, and connection building, as well as publicity and advertisement methods, in this course.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline are eligible to apply for admission to the Diploma in Public Relations Course. Almost all colleges in our country admit students based on their graduation merit scores.
Top colleges for pursuing a Diploma in PR studies:
COLLEGE | LOCATION |
Livewires Media Institute | Mumbai |
SRM Institute of technology | Tamil Nadu |
College of event and media | Pune |
Patna University | Patna |
Bhabha Institute of Management Science | Rajasthan |
STEP 3: Complete a certification course:
While certification is not required for most PR specialist positions, it can help you stand out from the crowd by demonstrating your professional knowledge, ability, and up-to-date skills. Numerous organizations dedicated to professional public relations offer certifications that anyone can pursue and get a better grasp of the subject.
COURSE | DURATION |
Introduction to public relations and media | 3-6 months |
Principles of public relations | 1-3 months |
Media ethics and governance | 1-4 weeks |
Branding: the creative journey | 3-6 months |
Social media management | 1-4 weeks |
STEP 4: Job preparation required
You are surely aware of the significance of first impressions given your expertise in communications. For the same, you can try the following:
- Make your resume stand out by customizing it for each job opportunity in public relations. Then, create a stellar cover letter that grabs the eye of your potential employer, outlining why you would adore working for their company and the creative changes a public relations specialist like you can bring to their team.
- Maintain Portfolio. The submission of a portfolio along with a job application is required by many PR companies. To improve your resume, incorporate the following items into your portfolio.
- Mention any high-quality assignments during your bachelor’s degree.
- Projects accomplished during on-the-job training, an entry-level position.
- Samples that demonstrate your relevant talents for the job you’re looking for.
- Internships often provide valuable work experience. You can complete several internships to obtain a better sense of the field in which you want to work.
You can find significant internships and job chances by contacting your seniors and university faculty.
6 skills required to become a PR Specialist
Soft skills are critical for this job description because it requires them to create relationships with their clients, the media, and the general public.
If you want to improve your soft skills, participate in a workshop or online class, or find a mentor, such as a trainer, or internship supervisor, and learn from the basics.
Public relations professionals frequently possess the following industry-specific abilities:
- Communication
- Writing Ability
- Understanding of Social Media
- Creativity
- Attention to Detail
- Research skills
If you believe you have these skills, can put your alliance in the spotlight, and want to gain hands-on experience, Check out the Clever Harvey Junior MBA Advertising course.
Top recruiters of PR Specialist around the globe
Check out our list of the top public relations firms in India
- Genesis Burson Cohn and Wolfe
- Ad factors PR
- Weber Shand wick
- Edelman
- Perfect Relations
- MSL
- BlueFocus
- Real Chemistry
- FTI Consulting
- Zeno Group
Salary of PR Specialist in different countries:
A public relations professional in India normally earns roughly 32,100 INR per month. Salaries range from 14,300 INR (lowest average) to 53,400 INR (highest average) (highest average, the actual maximum salary is higher).
In India, salaries range from 1.0 Lakhs to 7.0 Lakhs, with an average yearly pay of 2.5 Lakhs.
COUNTRIES | ENTRY LEVEL SALARY PER YEAR(INR) |
Washington DC | 47,92,018 |
Newyork | 4208974 |
San Fransico | 3875720 |
AustinUSTIN | 3193350 |
Australia | 5981812 |
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FAQs related to how to become a PR Officer
How long does it take to become a public relations expert?
You must have a bachelor’s degree in public relations or a related field, as well as at least five years of experience in a similar position, to work as a public relations professional. You can improve your prospects by earning an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certificate.
What is the best way for me to begin a career in PR?
The following are the stages you must take to become a public relations professional.
Decide where you want to pursue a career in public relations.
Take relevant classes to expand your skill set.
Take on a public relations internship.
Understand what to expect during the interview.
‘Network, network, network,’
Is a job as a public relations professional a suitable fit for you?
Public relations professionals were named the third-best creative and media job of 2020 by U.S. News and World Report.
What exactly does a public relations career mean in practice?
Employees in public relations work to maintain a positive image for their organization or customer. They want to create good ties between the general public and their clients. Education, marketing, entertainment, and advertising are just a few of the fields where public relations jobs can be found.
Is public relations a well-paid profession?
PR professionals earn an average of $61,150 per year or $29.40 per hour, making it one of the more profitable careers available today. PR abilities will attract even greater incomes and generate employment development as businesses continue to spend on their public image.
What are the five most important talents for a public relations professional to possess?
1) Ability to communicate.
2)The ability to conduct research.
3)Writing abilities.
4)A global perspective…
5) Innovation.
What does public relations education involve?
In general, public relations encompasses three key areas of study: communications and media, public relations theory and application, and mass communication writing. Journalism, campaign planning, project management, communications, consumer psychology, and other topics are covered in class.
Should I pursue a career in public relations or marketing?
PR is primarily concerned with maintaining relationships, whereas marketing is concerned with actively promoting the company or brand. The courses you take during your schooling may be influenced by your choice of communications job path, so it’s crucial to determine where you want to end up