Do You Think Public Relations Is The Career For You?
When I started as a student at Auburn University, I thought that I wanted to be an elementary education major. Ever since I was five years old and went to my first day of kindergarten, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Then I started my college classes.
I could not have been more wrong.
It takes a very special person to be a teacher. You have to have patience, something that has always been absent from my personality. My creative soul was shriveling up inside from the lack of imaginative outlets. (Dramatic, I know).
It wasn’t until I returned to Auburn from a nine-month internship with the Disney College Program that I recognized the need for change.
My plan was to major in graphic design. My mom is a graphic designer, and she’s the coolest person I know. It’s a career path that allows for creativity in every sense of the word – perfect, right?
Wrong.
After countless house of researching the major, I learned how competitive graphic design is at Auburn University. Only 30 students are selected to join the graphic design program each semester, and that’s after they’ve completed two years of prerequisite courses. All I had to offer was Foundations of Education and Math for Elementary Teachers.
I was pretty hopeless at this point. I knew I didn’t want to stay in education, but I didn’t know where I could go from there.
Public Relations came into my life as if it were The Holy Grail, and I have treated this major as such since the day that I adopted it. Let the record show that I did not settle for PR; I like to think that PR came to me in a time of need and led me to where I am now.
Now that you’ve read my background story, let me tell you why I love being a PR major.
1. First of all, what is PR?
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) defines public relations as “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” At its core, PR is about engaging and building relationships with other people.
Think of any company in the world: Coca-Cola, Walt Disney World, Nike, Apple. How do those companies present themselves? What comes to mind when you think of that brand? Whatever you thought of is because of a PR team. PR helps manage reputation, promote company values and strengthen community relations.
2. Getting accepted to the PR program requires basic prerequisites.
Don’t do what I did and have a full-on diva meltdown if you decide to change your major. Nearly 80% of college students change their major at least once during their college career; you’re not so different from the rest of us. You will likely take basic college prerequisites during your freshman year, regardless of your major.
Curriculum requirements vary by college and university, but most majors in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn do not start planning major specific courses in the curriculum until the second semester of the sophomore year. You have plenty of time to test the waters and find where you belong. Click here or on the image below to view the public relations curriculum at Auburn University.
3. If you’re a people-person, you’ll be comfortable in PR.
I’ve been told many times (by more than one person) that I could talk to a brick wall and get a response. From communicating to informing, assisting and cooperating, PR requires you to engage with people on a large scale. Writing press releases, contacting journalists, engaging with your client’s audience on social media, building a website and handling crisis communication, you will be in contact with a lot of people.
4. The possibilities are endless!
I love explaining my major to people. They hear “public relations,” smile and nod, then ask, “So, what do you plan to do with that degree?”
My favorite response is short and sweet. “Graduate.”
In all seriousness, I hope to enter a career in advertising or in an agency as a PR specialist. But, like I said, the possibilities are endless. A degree in PR could take you anywhere from planning children’s birthday parties to working in The White House. The sky is the limit with PR.
PR is an extremely flexible career choice. It prepares you for careers in writing, editing, publishing, public speaking, social media campaigns and beginner-level graphic design. Plus, the classes are fun. Click here or on the image below to watch a video from Auburn University’s School of Communication and Journalism.
5. Your unique qualities will make you stand out.
Are you comfortable speaking in front of a crowd? Choose PR. Do you enjoy collaborating on projects and working in teams? Choose PR. Does telling a story, verbally or written, feel like a getaway from the “real world?” Choose PR.
Working in PR allows you to socialize and build relationships with all kinds of people. Finding new ways to connect with people is a unique and valuable trait that employers look for when hiring.
With technology growing and changing every single day, it’s no wonder why Public Relations has become a more popular major choice amongst incoming college freshmen.
I’ve been where you are now. Four years ago, I was torn between following my childhood dreams or pursuing my new passions. Don’t be so hard on yourself when it comes to choosing your major. You are about to complete your last year of high school, and that is something to celebrate!
My biggest piece of advice is this: do as much research as you can. Look up the curriculum for your desired majors and ask questions. Many colleges and universities offer chat rooms or Zoom meetings with an academic advisor who will answer any of your questions.
I’ll say it again – don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re only 18 years old and the rest of your life is waiting for you. Live your life, and enjoy it along the way!
