Careers in Public Relations

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Looking for an entry level job or internship in public relations? Here's an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have entry level and internship opportunities that will interest you.

See companies with public relations careers or search the latest public relations jobs and internships.

In April 2010 BP’s Deepwater Horizon well exploded, sending oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico and into the news for three months. Boycotts of BP gas stations popped up all across the country as frustration grew over the company’s failed efforts to stop the massive leak. The gushing well wasn’t their only problem, as their public relations efforts continued to make the situation worse according to many. First, they delayed responding at all, allowing the fake and humorous BPGlobalPR Twitter feed to dominate the conversation by relaying the angst of the public. Furthermore, when BP did issue public statements they lacked a show of human compassion, said most public relations experts. President Barack Obama voiced that the money spent on their multi-million dollar national TV spot should have gone to cleanup and compensating devastated fisherman and small business owners. In every company’s history there are public relations crises like this, which is why Public Relations Coordinators exist. A PR Coordinator is in charge of crafting a company’s story to help portray it in a positive light across the media to potential customers every day.

Public Relations Careers

Photo Credit: Flickr user Deepwater Horizon Response

Public Relations Career Guide Overview

  1. What a Public Relations Coordinator Does
  2. A Typical Day for a Public Relations Coordinator
  3. Salary and Career Progression for a Public Relations Coordinator
  4. Best Locations for Public Relations Coordinators
  5. Pros and Cons of Being a Public Relations Coordinator
  6. What You Need to Know for a Career in Public Relations
  7. Public Relations Resources
  8. Careers Related to Public Relations
  9. Companies with Jobs and Internships in Public Relations

What a Public Relations Coordinator Does

A Public Relations Coordinator works to create and maintain a favorable public image for an organization. They do this by analyzing public opinion towards their company and using this information to help shape their organization’s policies and refine the story they’re crafting about it. As part of building the story, they help coordinate events and promote their company across print, broadcast, and online media.

A Typical Day for a Public Relations Coordinator

While a typical day might vary, here are some tasks you’ll probably encounter:

Salary and Career Progression for a Public Relations Coordinator

On average a PR Coordinator makes $43,000 per year. Beyond that you can go on to become a Communications Director ($92,000 on average per year), a Publicist ($52,000 on average per year), a Public Relations Director ($92,000 on average per year), or a Public Relations Specialist ($52,000 on average per year).

Best Locations for Public Relations Coordinators

Here are some hot spots for PR coordinators:

Pros and Cons of Being a Public Relations Coordinators

Pros
Cons

What You Need to Know for a Career in Public Relations

To be a PR Coordinator you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree in communications, PR, journalism, or marketing. Beyond that employers are looking for people with excellent writing and communication skills. It’s also important that you have interpersonal skills, and that you’re organized, deadline-oriented, proactive, and creative. And finally it’s great to have new media experience–so to get started begin branding yourself across the internet. Create profiles on social media outlets that reflect your own story.

Public Relations Resources

If Public Relations still sounds like your cup of tea, here are a few things you should do to get started.

Required Reading

Key Folks to Follow on Twitter

Blogs and Websites

Networking Opportunities

Job Search Resources

Careers Related to Public Relations


Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Public Relations

Lumi Logo

Lumi - Lumi is a Los Angeles, CA based company that has developed “a revolutionary photographic print process for textiles and natural materials.”

See the complete Lumi profile



Everlane Logo

Everlane - Everlane is a LA and SF based “luxury clothing design and manufacturing company” that “aims to provide low-cost, high-quality goods by cutting out middlemen.”

See the complete Everlane profile


Job TitleLocation
Marketing & Social Media Guru!Manhattan, NY
Interaction DesignerLos Angeles, CA
Senior Engineer... of fun.San Francisco, CA
Senior Engineer... of fun.San Francisco, CA
Lead Web DesignerSan Francisco, CA
See all 14 job postings

Grovo Logo

Grovo - Grovo is an NYC based company that “produces one-minute video lessons covering every change to the world’s most popular websites, mobile apps and online tools.”

See the complete Grovo profile



90octane Logo

90octane - 90octane is a Denver, CO based online marketing agency that does online advertising, email marketing, microsite and landing page development, SEO, and PPC.

See the complete 90octane profile




Loudpixel Logo

Loudpixel - Loudpixel is a Lansing, MI based “digital consultancy that works with companies and brands to deliver unbiased social media monitoring, measurement and insights.”

See the complete Loudpixel profile


No current job openings.

AmeriCares Logo

AmeriCares - AmeriCares is a Stamford, CT based “nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs."

See the complete AmeriCares profile





Yankee Candle Logo

Yankee Candle - I can’t think of a bigger name in candles than Yankee Candle, so I thought we should take a look at the South Deerfield, MA based candle maker and retailer.

See the complete Yankee Candle profile



Phelps Logo

Phelps - Phelps does. They’re a Santa Monica, CA based integrated marketing communications agency that describes what they do as “All Communications. One Voice.”

See the complete Phelps profile



SEER Interactive Logo

SEER Interactive - SEER Interactive is a Philadelphia, PA based online marketing agency that specializes in SEO, SEM, Analytics, and Conversion Optimization.

See the complete SEER Interactive profile



Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Logo

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters - One of the more interesting success stories in the coffee business is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which started as a small coffee shop in 1981.

See the complete Green Mountain Coffee Roasters profile



BlueGlass Interactive Logo

BlueGlass - BlueGlass is a Tampa, FL based company aiming to “change the way companies market themselves online with extraordinary strategies, service and software."

See the complete BlueGlass profile



Collette Vacations Logo

Collette Vacations - Collette Vacations is a Pawtucket, RI based company that offers “more than 150 expertly designed, escorted tours spanning 50-plus countries."

See the complete Collette Vacations profile



VSCPR Logo

VSCPR - VSCPR is “an award-winning strategic public relations and digital marketing boutique " based in San Francisco and New York.

See the complete VSCPR profile




Showtime Logo

Showtime - Showtime is a New York, NY based media company that offers premium cable/satellite programming, and they're hiring.

See the complete Showtime profile




Sparkpr Logo

Sparkpr - Sparkpr is a tech focused PR firm that serves big name clients like Bing Travel, Electronic Arts, The Economist, Flickr and more, and they're hiring.

See the complete Sparkpr profile


No current job openings.

National Ability Center Logo

National Ability Center - National Ability Center in Park City, UT uses activities and sports to aid the “the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities.”

See the complete National Ability Center profile



Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Logo

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation - If you love the sporting life and its intersection with politics, you should consider a job with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in Washington, DC.

See the complete Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation profile


No current job openings.





Consumer Electronics Association Logo

Consumer Electronics Association - Consumer Electronics Association is an organization that represents more than 2,000 members in the consumer electronics industry, and they're hiring.

See the complete Consumer Electronics Association profile



Batter Blaster Logo

Batter Blaster - Batter Blaster is an Austin, TX based company that makes making pancakes as easy as using a whipped cream can.

See the complete Batter Blaster profile


No current job openings.

The Humane Society Logo

The Humane Society of the United States - The Humane Society of the United States is the country's largest animal protection organization, and they're hiring.

See the complete The Humane Society of the United States profile




Macmillan Logo
Job TitleLocation
Summer InternNew York, NY
Editorial AssistantNew York, NY
RecruiterAtlanta, GA
Production EditorNew York, NY
Senior Media EditorNew York, NY
See all 52 job postings



Benzinga Logo

Benzinga - Benzinga is "an innovative news and analysis service that focuses on global markets," and they have some fantastic jobs for new and recent college grads.

See the complete Benzinga profile


No current job openings.



New York Transit Museum Logo

New York Transit Museum - New York City's transit system is the best in the United States and its long history is on display at the New York Transit Museum, which is hiring.

See the complete New York Transit Museum profile






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