UGA Specific Information for Public Relations

This program is designed to train students as analysts, creative thinkers, writers, planners and policy makers in public relations. The field of public relations can best be understood as a way of communicating the value, services, product or mission of an organization to the public as well as getting feedback from the public. In fact, public relations are a comprehensive communication effort and seven broad areas have been defined. These include: special events planning, media relations, public speaking, fundraising, programming, research, and writing/editing. Career opportunities in public relations include entry-level positions in marketing communications, corporate relations, public opinion research, nonprofit and education fundraising, political campaigning and trade association lobbying. 

Class of 2018 Career Outcomes for Public Relations*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations

Knowledge/Skills Needed in this Industry

  • Strengthen verbal communication skills by taking speech communication courses and engaging in public speaking opportunities.
  • Enhance writing skills through additional coursework or by writing for a publication such as The Red & Black.
  • Obtain part-time, summer job, internship, or volunteer experience within an area of interest. Public relations is a competitive field and related experience is essential to break into the industry.
  • Learn to work well with teams.
  • Get a summer job or internship with a public relations firm, newspaper, TV or radio station.
  • Develop strong computer skills and learn applications related to web page design.
  • Gain persuasion skills through sales and learn how to sell your ideas.
  • Gain experience with social media marketing using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Become proficient in social media analytics by using platforms like HootSuite.
  • More students are becoming proficient in online advertising services such as Google AdWords.
  • Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Students interested in the accounts and management side of PR should consider taking at least one course in marketing, business management, accounting, and/or finance. Try to become proficient in Excel before you graduate.
  • Consider enrolling in New Media Certificate courses to gain understanding and proficiency in digital media such as the Internet, websites, computer multimedia, and social media.
  • Create a portfolio of writing samples, ad campaigns, marketing strategies, graphics and ideas. Making an online portfolio is a good way to market your skills for job opportunities by using websites such as Behance, Cargo Collective, Issuu, and WordPress. For more information and platforms, check out Portfolio Resources on the Career Center website.

Campus Involvement, Domestic Field Study and Study Abroad Opportunities

  • Join Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and/or International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
  • Participate in Creative Consultants, a student-run PR firm or Talking Dog Advertising, a student-run full service advertising agency.
  • Join the American Marketing Association at UGA to gain knowledge in marketing strategies and research. You will also gain practical experience in applying social and digital marketing techniques with local and national businesses.
  • Students interested in pursuing careers in the creative industry are encouraged to enroll in Summer at the Circus, a partnership between Grady College and The Creative Circus in Atlanta. Creative Circus is one of the top portfolio schools in the country, offering programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, Design, Image, Interactive Design and several other areas
  • Participate in the UGA Global Advertising and PR Program in China, and learn about brand communication in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
  • Consider participating in the UGA Cannes Lions Study Abroad Program, which allows students to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and witness thousands of ads from around the world being showcased and judged. This opportunity also allows students to network with producers, directors, and actors who have starred in motion pictures.

LinkedIn Groups to Join

  • Advertising and PR at UGA Grady College
  • Internships and Interns
  • PRSSA Public Relations Society of America (PRSA National)
  • University of Georgia Alumni Association Group (UGA)
  • University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni
  • Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
  • For more information on how to effectively utilize LinkedIn, check out the UGA Career Center's Networking Page.

Additional Internship/Job Search Tips

  • For additional information on internships and job opportunities, look out for emails sent every Tuesday on the Grady Career Services Update listserv. If you are not on that listserv, sign up for the Grady job leads listserv here.
  • Follow @UGAGradyCareers on Twitter for timely job postings and career advice, run by the Grady College Office of Experiential Learning and the UGA Career Center Grady College Career Consultant.
  • If you’re interested in working or interning for a specific company, visit that company’s website. Job and internship opportunities are usually listed under the “Careers” tab.
  • For a complete list of advertising agencies and PR firms, check out this list compiled by Grady.
  • For information about job salary, company reviews, and job openings, visit Glassdoor and CareerBliss.
  • For a general job search, visit websites such as Indeed, Monster and Simply Hired.

Supplemental Career Research Dashboard

Additional Career Research Resources

Employment Websites

Professional Associations/Resources

GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS ATTENDED BY UGA Public Relations - Bachelors MAJORS FOR THE CLASS OF 2018**

To view Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs where Class of 2018 Public Relations - Bachelors majors have enrolled, click here

The information below represents employers and job titles from the Class of 2018 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

POSITION TITLES AND EMPLOYERS WHO HIRED THIS MAJOR (CLASS OF 2018)*

*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2018 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.