Public relations officer
Public relations (PR) officers manage the public image and reputation of organisations and individuals.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
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
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Career path and progression
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.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- 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
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- specialist courses run by a professional body
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
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
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
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
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
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
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
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
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.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.