Public Relations

The Public Relations major prepares students to research, plan, execute, and evaluate communication between an organization and its publics, monitor the organization's environment, and counsel management on policies and programs. The major is designed to prepare students to help private industry and public organizations improve the quality of communication among themselves, their employees, the general public and government.

Why Study Public Relations?

Public relations is the measured and ethical use of language and symbols to inspire cooperation between an organization and its publics. Public relations specialists help businesses, governments and their agencies, universities, hospitals, schools and other organizations build and maintain positive relationships with the public. 

Related Skills

• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Strong computer background
• Understand basic business matters, especially strategic planning
• Good research abilities, including measuring communication effectiveness
• Team member and ability to work independently
• Work well under pressure, especially under numerous demanding deadlines
• Flexible and adaptive to new environments
• Critical-analytical thinker who can soundly assess matters and discuss them
• Good marketing and sales background
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the field

Being Successful in the Field

• Obtain part-time, summer job, internship, or volunteer experience within an area of interest. Public relations is a competitive field and related experience is essential to break into the industry.
• Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Be prepared to start at the bottom and work up to positions of greater responsibility. Expect to complete administrative tasks in entry-level jobs.
• Obtain additional or advanced degrees to enhance knowledge of specific area of interests. For instance, a master's degree in public policy (MPP) will increase employability in government and nonprofit agencies. Likewise, a master’s degree in communication, public relations, or business can be vital to advancing into management positions.
• Keep a set of solid examples of your work in a “professional portfolio,” which will be important for you to demonstrate your fitness for an internship and/or your first full-time job.
• Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to develop skills. Join on-campus and national professional associations related to public relations, like the PRSSA.

Related Fields

Account Management

• Issues Management
• Counseling
• Employee or Member Relations
• Media Relations
• Research

Employers

• Public relations firms: (Representing various private and public organizationsand institutions, individuals, and events.)
• PR departments in large corporations

Strategies

• Strengthen verbal communication skills by taking speech communication courses.
• Enhance writing skills through additional coursework in business and marketing.
• Acquire an internship with a PR firm.
• Be prepared to start at the bottom andwork up to higher positions.
• Consider a master's degree in PR for higher level positions, especially at the executive level.
• Learn to work well with teams.

Name

• Reporting
• Advertising Sales
• Writing and Editing

Employers

• Newspapers
• Online news providers
• Television
• Radio

Strategies

• Develop the ability to work under the pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Get a summer job or internship with a newspaper, TV or radio station.
• Work with college newspaper staff or radio station.
• Develop strong computer skills and learn applications related to web page design.
• Obtain experience in the area of sales.
• Get involved with national and campus professional associations.

Public Affairs

• Government Relations
• Risk and Crisis Communication
• Campaign Marketing and Fundraising
• World Affairs and Diplomacy
• Media Relations

Employers

• Government agencies (local, state,& federal)
• Chambers of commerce and tourism councils foreign embassies
• Campaign committees, coalitions, initiatives, and networks

Strategies

• Secure federal internships in a field of interest.
• Develop strong research and writing skills. Get experience with student government or political campaigns.
• Consider graduate programs in Public Policy/Affairs.
• Develop foreign language skills.
• Enhance language skills and cultural understanding through study abroad programs.
• Gain experience by volunteering with organizations that provide assistance to various cultural groups.

Business and Industry

• Advertising Sales
• Sales
• Training and Development
• Human Resources
• Customer Service
• Management
• Direct Marketing -Direct marketers work with the customer through mail, magazines, radio, or TV to get an immediate response by telephone, mail, or fax.

Employers

• Public and private corporations
• Consulting firms
• Marketing companies
• Internet marketers
• Sport and athletic organizations
• Retail stores

Strategies

• Take general business and computer courses. Consider earning a graduate degree in business. Gain experience in organizational development or marketing. Become current with business and industry literature and news. Obtain sales and marketing experience. Work within college sports administration and marketing.

Nonprofit and Education

• Public Relations
• Fundraising
• Promotion
• Event Planning
• Service Marketing
• Advertising Sales
• Administration
• Community Affairs

Employers

• Museums
• Charities and foundations (i.e. within the areas of environment, arts, multiculturalinitiatives, religion, and health)
• Hospitals and healthcare providers
• Colleges and universities
• Social service agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Professional associations

Strategies

• Get experience through volunteering for non-profit agencies, museums, and charities.
• Obtain internships with non-profit organizations.
• Gain experience planning events for campus organizations.
• Consider additional degrees such as MPH (Master of Public Health) to enhance employability.
• Get sales experience.

Other Professions

• Advertising Copywriter
• Advertising Manager
• Communications Specialist
• Community Relations
• Government Relations Specialist
• Market Researcher
• Marketing
• Media Relations
• Press Secretary
• Project Director
• Promotion Manager
• Public Advocate
• Public Affairs

Career Industry Liaison

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

2.55 - 3.46

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Introductory-level composition (ENG 101)
• Introductory-level speech (COM 110)
• Introduction to Communication Theories (COM 111)
• Convergent Media Writing (COM 161)
• Introduction to Public Relations (COM 178)

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

2.55 - 3.46

Application Period

September 1 – October 1, February 1 – March 1 & May 1 – June 1

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

To apply, students must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and above.

Students who are currently a declared major in the School of Communication and are looking to switch their major to another communication major need to complete the Internal Major Transfer Request Form. Contact your academic advisor for a copy of this form and to discuss the process in detail.

Application Process

Write Goals Essay (2-3 pages, double spaced)

Essay Prompt: Provide a vision for your future career and explain how this major is best equipped to help you get there.

Research the major and provide your finding of:

• Career opportunities in the field
• Necessary skills for success

Connect your goals to your findings. How will this major help you reach your goals? What can you bring to the major?

Essay Tips:

• Make sure the major aligns with your goals
• Discuss your academic performance as a student, including areas where you excel and areas that are challenging
• Explain relevant experiences (internships, RSOs, and COM classes)
• Make a clear connection from major to career and demonstrate a passion
• Have multiple drafts reviewed (proofread)
• Demonstrate your best writing ability and make sure your essay does not have grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
• Keep within the three-page limit
• Do not provide your biography or a lengthy description of the major

Submit Application

Choose your desired program/sequence and complete all sections of the online application form. Students can only apply for one major/sequence during each application period.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of Communication faculty members in each area. The Faculty Selection Committee base their decisions upon the following criteria:

• GPA & grade trends: a typical successful candidate is academically above average
• Quality and accuracy of Goals Essay
• Career goals are consistent with the major

Selection decisions will be made approximately three weeks after the deadline. A response will be sent to each student through their ISU email account.

If admitted, you should schedule an appointment with your designated academic advisor.

Denied Admittance

Meeting the minimum requirements and going through the application steps does not guarantee you will be admitted.

Faculty decisions are final and cannot be reversed.

Once the selection responses are sent, the School has filled all available seats and cannot accept any more students.

Academic Advising