How a Public Relations Major Prepares You for the Job Market
A public relations degree prepares students to enter the industry, which is considered one of the fastest growing communications fields today. Public relations majors learn about the importance of good PR, which involves an organization's reputation, profitability and public support. Students will study how communication, news and topics of public interest help promote an organization and keep it afloat. They will also learn how to increase public exposure and build rapport from within a company. PR students will focus on the subject areas of financial public relations, product public relations and crisis public relations. In addition, they will participate in group projects and PR campaigns to explore the planning and management phases of public relations.

Best Career Paths for Public Relations Majors
Any company that cares about its public opinion and support will need the help of public relations workers. Since there are numerous fields needing good PR, graduates should consider these top career paths:

• Public Relations Specialist. Public relations specialists work with clients to build positive relationships with the public and maintain favorable support. They handle the public relations of businesses, nonprofit companies, universities, hospitals and other organizations that need good PR to be successful. Public relations specialists provide advice on clients' communication strategies and how they can solve business problems. They also handle their client's media relations, which involves drafting press releases, contacting media outlets that may run their material, as well as solve media conflicts that misrepresent their clients. Some public relations specialists organize and conduct meetings, speaking engagements and prepare speeches for officials to speak to consumers, employees and other public interest groups. All of these practices are done to establish positive relationships within the community and ensure that their clients are satisfied. Public relations specialists made an average salary of $51,280 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Public Relations Manager. Public relations managers plan and oversee public relations programs that strive to build and maintain positive public opinions for their clients. They do so by writing press releases, arranging interviews, sponsoring events and coordinating speeches that help improve public image and support. Public relations managers aim to clarify an organization's point of view and purpose to their constituents and consumers. They also monitor social, economic and political trends that may affect their clients and advise them when it endangers their public appearance. Public relations managers also make sure that advertising campaigns and stories fit the image of their clients and place them in the best light. They can specialize in certain areas, such as crisis management or finances within a variety of industries that need their services. Public relations managers made an average salary of $89,430 in 2008, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Public Relations Degree
Public relations graduates should be able to market their degree based on the needs of their potential employer. You can promote the skills you've earned in school and apply them to professional work, such as your experience in writing press releases and knowledge of public relations campaigns. Essentially, you have the tools to handle internal and publicity issues, while strategizing to put companies in the best possible light.