Do you have a knack for dealing with the public? When trouble arises, are you able to remain calm, cool, and collected? Can you handle hectic schedules and tight deadlines? Then a career as a public relations specialist may be right for you.

Public relations specialists promote the businesses, nonprofit associations, universities, hospitals, government agencies, and other organizations that they work for. Their primary task is to build and maintain positive relationships with the public. 

Working in this field requires you to have the ability to understand the positions and apprehensions of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups as well as create and maintain mutual relationships with them and with members of the media.

Public relation specialists usually are responsible for generating press releases. They also are the ones who find media outlets that will print or broadcast those releases.  Public relations specialists also organize and manage programs that encourage communication between the organization they work for and the public. They may also arrange speaking engagements for company officials and write speeches.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for these workers in organizations of all types and sizes. Those with additional language capabilities also are in great demand.

Let Top Colleges help you find your future. Find an Advertising or Marketing degree program in your area.