Good news for everyone in PR! For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranks PR Specialist is one of the best jobs in America.
Here’s how U.S. News & World Report defines the PR specialist role . . .
Your main goal is to generate positive publicity for your client and improve their reputation. As a PR specialist, it’s your job to cultivate and maintain close and productive relationships with journalists, bloggers, and opinion leaders. You’ll be asked to create print and Web-based communications materials—which may include story pitches, press releases, Q&As, presentations, video scripts, and speeches—ensuring they are consistent with your client’s image and message.
Would you add in social media? PRSA does.
“With the onset of social infrastructure such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest, combined with the versatility of Web tools, the jobs of public relations specialists are growing at a fast clip,” says Gerard Corbett, chair and CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
PR Specialist Outlook Shows Promising Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects public relations specialists employment growth of 22.5 percent between 2010 and 2020. During that time period, an additional 58,200 jobs will need to be filled. Because of its promising outlook, the public relations specialist profession landed the No. 41 spot on the 2012 list of Best Jobs, right behind marketing manager.
PR specialists also snagged the title of number one creative services job of 2012, ahead of “Architect” and “Artist and Designer.”
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for public relations specialists was $52,090 in 2010 with a range of $30,560 to $92,500. The highest paid PR specialists work in Victoria, Texas; San Jose, California; and Washington, D.C.
Looking for a job? Check out PRSA’s public relations jobs center or browse a list of Chicago’s top PR firms.
Wondering about my career path? Read this post on how I got started in social media marketing and PR.
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