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Career Exploration

Public Relations Specialists

Also called: Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)

What they do:

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

On the job, you would:
  • Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
  • Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
  • Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
On the job, you'll need:

Communications

  • multimedia

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Enterprising

People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Initiative
  • Dependability
  • Persistence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Web page creation and editing software

  • Instagram
  • WordPress

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • JamBoard

Web platform development software

  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Drupal

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $67,440

Education

Bachelor's degree is usually needed.