Job Description

Public Relations Officers handle all aspects of publicity for their clients from arranging press conferences to analysing media coverage, organising promotional events such as tours, exhibitions and visits and dealing with enquiries from the press and the public.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

There is no set entry route to become a public relations officer but it may be useful to do a relevant subject like Marketing.

You can also study higher level qualifications if you're working in a marketing or communications department.

The following local colleges offer courses in Business:

Or your local 6th form may offer a relevant course.

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by doing a public relations assistant higher apprenticeship.

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.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could study for a degree or postgraduate award recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Courses include:

public relations
media communications
business and public relations

You'll usually need:

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Other Routes

You can do professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

These can be done online or at a training centre. Courses include:

a Foundation Certificate for beginners
a Professional PR Certificate, if you're a graduate or have 2 years' experience in PR

Career Tips

You'll find it useful to get paid or unpaid experience of working in public relations. You can do this by:

contacting PR departments and consultancies for work experience
volunteering to promote local charities
writing for student magazines, newspapers, blogs or social media
working on student or volunteer radio services

Career Path and Progression

With in-house PR officer experience, you could be promoted to PR manager, social media manager or head of communications.

With agency experience, you could progress to senior account executive or account manager.

You could go freelance or move into advertising, marketing or journalism.

Related careers you may be interested in:

Advertising media planner
Web content manager
Social media manager
Advertising copywriter
Digital marketing officer

Required Skills

The ability to cope under pressure
Calm when dealing with difficult situations
Good communication skills
Organised
Creativity
Imagination

Salary Range

£18,000 to £90,000

Public Relations Officer