Public relations professionals create and project client images to the public
Marketing and public relations specialists promote products and generate positive public images for performers such as actors, directors and musicians. Public relations managers work for political figures to help promote a positive image to voters. There is keen competition for most public relations positions due to the high income generated in this field.
Educational Requirements
The educational background required for a career in public relations and marketing vary greatly. Most companies prefer candidates with bachelor's or master's degrees in public relations or journalism, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. A background in business administration, business law, economics, statistics, and finance are among some of the ancillary courses that round out a career in public relations and marketing. Public relations and marketing specialists need to have excellent communication skills, too. Foreign language skills are a plus, opening up opportunities to potential representatives. Additionally, public relations practitioners can seek certification through the Public Relations Society of America's program. Many firms provide additional training for marketing and public relations professionals through colleges and universities. In some cases, an employer will pay for all or part of the course expenses.
Job Duties
Public relations managers generate a favorable public image for clients by producing press releases, creating public relation campaigns and sponsoring events, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. Clients may be people, companies or governments. Public relations managers typically specialize in specific areas or industries, such as crisis management, damage control for entertainers or charity events sponsored by corporations. Marketing the client is part of the core responsibilities of a public relations manager, requiring the manager to study trends and project future ones that may affect a client. The position typically requires long hours and dedication to customer satisfaction and promotion.
Employment
As of May 2008, 56,700 public relations managers and 175,600 marketing managers worked in the industry, the BLS says. The BLS also reports that 48 percent of public relations managers worked in service-providing industries. Some of these industries include technical, scientific and professional services finance, and insurance, as well as public and private educational outlets.
Job Outlook:
The BLS projects keen competition for public relations and marketing jobs. The employment rate for marketing managers will increase by an estimated 13 percent from 2008 to 2018.
Earnings:
Public relations specialists earned an annual median income of $51,280, as of May 2008, the BLS says. The top 10 percent earned $97,910 while the lowest 10 percent made $30,140, the BLS says. Median annual income for advertising and promotional managers was $80,220 and public relations managers earned $89,430 annually, the BLS says.
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