PR? What Is That?
Start writing a post
Student Life

PR? What Is That?

Enter a field that is exciting and challenging.

56
PR? What Is That?

"I'm studying PR in school."

"When I graduate, I really want to work in the PR field."

"I work in a PR firm."

When you say these things, do you often find the person you are speaking to gives you a look that almost says, "Yea! That sounds cool, and I feel like I should know what PR is, but I really have no idea."

Public relations is an interesting field, but also one that invites a lot of questions and is covered in a small cloud of mystery. Is it the same as journalism? What exactly do you do? How do you find a job?

After taking multiple public relations courses I can tell you that no, PR is not the same as journalism. It is a common misconception about the two fields, but journalism's goal is to tell a story to the public. Journalists report the news and gather facts. In public relations, the goal is to represent a client. This means arranging media events, scheduling social media shares, keeping on top of current events and reacting to crisis' surrounding your client, or client's industry.

PR is a field that requires a nose for details, an ear for relevant news, eyes for a creativity and a taste for excitement.

Public relations is a hard field to narrowly define and explain simply to people what exactly what it is that you do like an accountant or salesperson can. A question I often asked myself was how would I find a job? So many people I knew entering college were going into nursing or education. Fields that are so clearly defined and there is no real question of how to get a job when you graduate. Clearly a nursing major will work in a hospital and an education major will become a teacher. Working in PR, you would clearly work... ?

Not knowing the end of that sentence was daunting. However, I have learned that the end of that sentence has an infinite amount of possibilities. Anything that intrigues you - sports, fashion, television, music, food - is likely looking to hire a PR specialist.

As an intern at a PR company, I have learned so much about what goes on on a day to day basis and I have to say I already love everything about it. Not many professionss can offer you a job where every day is different and presents a new challenge. Reacting to media and current events every day, constantly engaging with other people and clients and writing formal and creative pieces are all parts of working in PR.

If you are unsure of where you want to work, or what you want your career to be, you should consider taking a PR class. Nearly anything you are passionate about can be related to public relations and having a job where every day is new and exciting is a truly a great one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58741
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37882
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959433
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194890
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments