What Can I Do With a Major In Public Relations?

UGA Specific Information for Public Relations

The Public Relations program provides students with the core writing, creative, analytical, communication, and management skills required to launch successful careers in advertising, public relations, and strategic communications. The major trains students as analysts, creative thinkers, and planners in public relations and related fields.

Source: Department of Advertising and Public Relations

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES and GRADUATE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS REPORTED FOR THIS MAJOR

Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Public Relations*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

Knowledge/Skills Needed in this Industry

  • Strengthen verbal communication skills by taking speech communication courses and engaging in public speaking opportunities. Develop persuasive communication skills to learn how to pitch and "sell" your ideas.
  • Enhance writing skills through additional coursework or by writing for a publication such as The Red & Black.
  • Obtain part-time job, internship, or volunteer experience within an area of interest or at a public relations firm, newspaper, TV, or radio station. Public Relations is a competitive field, and related experience is essential to entering the industry. Start by gaining experience in campus clubs and organizations or a part-time job, and aim for a career-related public relations internship the summer before your senior year at UGA. 
  • Learn to work well with teams. Demonstrate enthusiasm, interpersonal skills, teamwork, integrity, organizational and communication skills, and good judgment.
  • Develop strong computer skills including experience with Excel, Canva, and some familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.). LinkedIn Learning is a great, free resource to learn to use these programs.
  • Gain experience with social media marketing (using platforms such as TikTok, X, and Instagram) and social media analytics (using programs like HootSuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social).
  • Become proficient in online advertising services such as Google AdWords. Consider enrolling in New Media Certificate courses to gain understanding and proficiency in digital media such as coding, new technology, and social media.
  • Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Students interested in the accounts and management side of public relations should consider taking at least one course in marketing, business management, accounting, and/or finance. Try to become proficient in Excel before you graduate.
  • Create a portfolio of writing samples, ad campaigns, marketing strategies, graphics, and ideas. Share your work digitally to market your skills for job opportunities via a curated, professional social media profile (Instagram, LinkedIn, Google Docs, etc) or a website you create using a platform like Canva, Issuu, SquareSpace, WordPress, and Wix.

Campus Involvement, Domestic Field Study and Study Abroad Opportunities

  • Participate in organizations such as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), AMA at UGA, Talking Dog Agency (a student-run, full-service advertising agency), or PawPrint Agency (a student-run advertising agency serving non-profit clients).
  • Students interested in pursuing careers in the creative industry are encouraged to enroll in the UGA Summer Studio Creative Portfolio Program, a partnership between Grady College and the Lamar Dodd School of Art. Students participate in a four-week program to formulate ideas, build technical skills, and produce work for their creative portfolios for work in advertising, public relations, graphic design, social media content creation, and related communication industries.
  • Participate in a Grady study abroad or field study program to gain experience in your field in the U.S. or internationally. Options include visiting the Cannes Lions Festival and internship programs in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. 

Network

Networking is an important part of job searching in the communication industry. You can use resources at UGA to build a professional network. 

  • Join the UGA Mentor Program and request a mentor
  • Attend events with alumni speakers and panelists. You can find events on the UGA Career Center website calendar and the UGA Career Services Grady Career Services Update listserv emails.
  • Create a LinkedIn profile and use the Career Insights tool to find UGA alumni in your field. Introduce yourself to them and ask to meet with you for an informational interview. 
  • Join LinkedIn Groups such as Advertising and PR at UGA Grady College, PRSSA, University of Georgia Alumni Association Group (UGA), University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni, and other groups related to your career interests.
  • If you’re interested in working or interning for a specific company, visit that company’s website (open jobs are typically posted on a "Careers" page), follow them on social media, follow their profile on Handshake to see when they visit campus or post an event, and connect with UGA Alumni who work there on LinkedIn.

Additional Internship and 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.

Additional Career Research Resources

  • O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  
  • My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  
  • Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  
  • Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  
  • UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  
  • Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 
  • Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  
  • Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.

Employment Websites

GENERAL  

  • Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  
  • LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 
  • Idealist (non-profit jobs) 
  • USAJobs (federal jobs) 

MAJOR-SPECIFIC

Professional Associations/Resources

Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Public Relations majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
20North Inc. Search Engine Optimization Analyst
360 Media Buzz Coordinator
Abercrombie and Fitch Assistant Recruiter
ALKU Cybersecurity Account Manager
Ameritas Regional Sales Representative
Area 23 Assistant Account Executive
Athletes First Client Relations Intern
Athletes First Client Relations Intern
Atlanta Magazine Advertising Sales Account Executive
BBDO Atlanta Account Coordinator
BrightEdge Sales Development Representative
Brown & Brown Content Coordinator
Cabine Creative Public Relations Assistant
Capstone Hospitality Membership Sales Director
Car Now Marketing Events Manager
Cherokee Office of Economic Development Communications and Marketing Specialist
City Year Communications Coordinator
Close Up Foundation Program Instructor
Co-op Solutions CRO Trainee - Rotational Sales Program
Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty Marketing Coordinator
Cookerly PR Public Relations Intern
DNA Communications Junior Associate, Client Experience
Eastern Companies Human Resources Assistant
Employer Not Specified Sales Associate
Enterprise Holdings Manager Trainee
Epic Project Manager
Everpost Social Media Intern
Excel Sports Management Digital and Social Coordinator
Explore Newnan-Coweta Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Fitzco Associate Media Planner
Frederica Academy Special Events and Projects Coordinator
Gannett Contributing Writer
Green Olive Media Account Coordinator
Hawaii State Junior Golf Association Tournament Manager
Hunter PR Account Coordinator
Insight Global Hiring Associate
Insight Global Recruiter
Keller Williams Realty Real Estate Agent
Kelly Products, Inc. Food and Wellness Division Marketing Manager
Ketchum Issues and Crisis Fellow
LaFORCE Account Coordinator
MSLGROUP Assistant Account Executive
NetRoadshow Sales Associate
Network TwentyOne International Digital Media Coordinator
Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp Communications Specialist
OptimaEd B2B Marketing Specialist
Parthenon PR Account Coordinator
Pioneer Design and Marketing Intern
Porter Novelli Graduate Intern
Prosek Partners Public Relations Apprentice
Real Chemistry Account Associate
Red Ventures Procurement Coordinator
REED Public Relations Account Coordinator
Resnicow and Associates Assistant Account Executive
RNBC Sales Representative
RRD Atlanta Sales Associate
Sigma Healthcare New Business Manager
Situation Group Media Coordinator
Southern Pain and Spine Associates Physician Liaison
Sprouthouse Agency Account Coordinator
Superjuice Assistant Account Executive
Supreme Court of Georgia Intern
The Georgia Club Member Relations Director
The Walt Disney Company Public Affairs Communications Intern
United States House of Representatives Press and Staff Assistant
United States House of Representatives Staff Assistant and Special Assistant
University of Georgia The Georgia Way Intern
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Dean's Office Digital Media Specialist
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Dean's Office Digital Media Specialist
USAN Software Development Project Manager
Wind River Capital Management Client Associate
Workforce Strategies Group Marketing Assistant
World 50 Member Services Coordinator
World 50 Member Services Coordinator
WTW Communication and Hange Management Analysts
Zero Mile Box Office Attendant
* denotes no responses received.
*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 2023 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.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Public Relations majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
Charleston School Of Law Law, JD
George Washington University Strategic Public Relations, MA
Georgia Southern University Nursing, Bachelor's
University of Georgia Nonprofit Management and Leadership, MS
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Communication, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Communication, MA
University of Georgia Advertising, MS
* denotes no responses received.

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