Public relations officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• specialist courses run by a professional body

University

You can get into public relations (PR) with a degree in most subjects.

You could also do a degree or postgraduate course related to public relations. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has a list of recognised university courses .

Courses include:

• public relations
• public relations and media
• marketing and PR
• PR and corporate communications

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

College

You could do a college course, which might give you an advantage when looking for a trainee public relations role.

Courses include:

• English
• marketing
• creative and digital media - social media option

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could work towards this role by doing a Public Relations and Communications Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of one year to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get paid or unpaid experience of working in public relations. You could:

• contact PR departments and consultancies for work experience
• volunteer to promote local charities
• write for student magazines, blogs and social media
• work on student or volunteer radio services

OtherRoutes

You could study for professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

These can be done online or at a training centre. Courses include:

• Foundation Certificate for beginners
• Professional PR Certificate, if you're a graduate or have at least 2 years of PR experience

Further information

You can find out more about a career in public relations from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of media production and communication
• knowledge of English language
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to sell products and services
• customer service skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• leadership skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Public relations (PR) officers manage the public image and reputation of organisations and individuals.

As a public relations officer, you could:

• plan and deliver PR campaigns for clients
• monitor data to understand the public and media's opinion of your clients
• attend events like photoshoots, conferences and press launches
• develop good connections with the media to promote your clients
• write and edit press releases, social media posts, policy statements and speeches

Location : You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a PR manager, social media manager or head of communications
• work freelance as a consultant
• move into advertising, marketing or journalism

If you work for an agency, you could become a senior account executive or account manager with responsibility for a number of clients.