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Are you interested in crafting and maintaining a favorable image in the mind of the public for an organization? If so, you may wish to embark on a career in public relations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is projected to grow at a rate of 6% over the next 10 years. The median pay for a public relations specialist is $28.85 per hour and $60,000 per year.
If you want to get a job working at a Portland public relations agency, it is important to have the right qualities. The job requires speaking before large and small groups of people, so this is a career well-suited to those with outgoing, extroverted personalities. Public relations is also a field that requires long hours, overtime, and sometimes travel.
If you feel you have the necessary qualities and a career in public relations still appeals to you, then here is a guide to the steps often required to launch your new endeavor.
1. Acquire the Required Skills
Every job requires you to obtain a certain skill set related to the work, and public relations is no exception. The skills you will need for your career include the following:
- Verbal and written communication
- Listening
- Organization
- Problem solving
- Public speaking
- Time management
2. Get a Degree
Typically, to work in public relations, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. It is particularly helpful if you study in a field that is related to the work that you will be doing, such as communications, journalism, or business. You may also obtain a voluntary certification, such as a Social Media Strategist credential, that may serve you in good stead.
3. Start Networking
Networking is an important step to finding a job in any field, but it is especially necessary in public relations, which depends so much upon who you know. You can start making the necessary connections by joining a professional organization for public relations specialists. If you’re still a student, you can join the Public Relations Student Society of America. Another option is the Public Relations Society of America.
4. Find a Mentor
In any career field, it is valuable to find someone established in the field who can show you the ropes. In public relations, a mentor may be able to open doors for you that would otherwise remain closed to someone who hasn’t yet obtained years of PR experience.
PR is a challenging career that is not for everyone. However, if you have the right personal qualities and put in the necessary effort, it can be rewarding in more ways than one.
