How to get into PR: What studying public relations can offer you 🎓

What skills for public relations do you need?

The beauty of PR is it offers unimaginable opportunities for numerous backgrounds.

Most businesses are on the lookout for graduates with skills related to PR.

There are a select few companies that require a specific degree in PR, or for candidates to have prior PR experience.

So, what are some of the key skills that you need? To name a few: teamwork, problem-solving, research, writing, organisation, and communication skills are all essential for working in a PR role.

Additionally, demonstrating an interest in anchoring, hosting events, creative writing, multitasking, or handling projects will prove to an employer that you possess an enthusiasm for the responsibilities of a PR job, as well as the skills required for the role.

These skills can all be gained from your studies in public relations at university.

Not only can what you study for public relations be really fascinating, but it is also often useful in a broader sense.

One of the main benefits of learning public relations is that the abilities you gain during your degree will be transferrable and useful in securing a graduate role in PR (or other industries) after university.

How to study public relations? 

PR is challenging, competitive, and rewarding, just like any other field. But what are the requirements to study public relations, and can anyone pursue this?  

PR graduate jobs are not always restricted to those who have studied it at university. 

Many studying international relations, journalism, mass communication, creative writing, marketing, and advertising tend to select this path.

As PR spans a breadth of industries, it can be broken down into a lot of different sectors. For example, financial PR, tech PR, automotive, lifestyle, and B2B or B2C.   

Have you found yourself wondering where to study public relations?, what are the best universities for public relations in the UK?, or what public relations courses in London are on offer?  

There are many universities within London and across the UK that offer a course either solely in PR, or in a course that aligns closely with this, such as communication or strategic communications.  

The high number of courses available means you will never have a lack of options at which institution to undertake your studies of public relations. 

It is advisable to select a university that offers the opportunity to become a member of a professional body within the PR industry, so keep an eye out for this on the course spec page when deciding on where to study public relations.  

Being a member of a professional PR body brings with it additional opportunities, such as attending events for networking, receiving mentoring from industry professionals, and enhancing your PR skillset.  

How to start a career in PR? 

If you are looking to explore this dynamic field further, but studying public relations as a degree doesn’t feel like the right path for you, then a good next step would be to gain some work experience or an internship.  

Wondering how you can land a PR internship, and whether it’s worth it?

The job market is an ever-competitive and evolving space, so any extra experience under your belt is always extremely beneficial.  

A few tips to land a placement in London include taking your own initiative.

Go out of your way to meet people and network, whether that’s with industry professionals or guest lecturers at universities…

…you never know when a guest lecturer may be on the lookout for a candidate to fill their work experience program and learn public relations skills!

A typical day working as a PR intern includes:

• Researching newsworthy articles
• Scanning through PR campaigns
• Writing up copy for clients and their various social media platforms
• Researching influencers for specific brand associations, and contacting them for potential collaborations. 

Is public relations a good career?

Is PR glamorous or energy-draining, and how do you ensure it is the right fit for you?

If you are hesitant about studying public relations, then take a moment to consider the following. 

Yes, there’s a glamorous side to PR, with events to attend, celebrities and influencers to meet, photoshoots to manage, creative opportunities, and so much more.

On the other hand, PR can be an intense career path.

It takes an entire crew to build successful PR campaigns for your company and clients – this can be a tiring role, so it’s hugely important you invest in a healthy work-life balance to combat this.