To answer this question, you’ll first need to understand that PR is all about communicating with audiences and the gatekeepers that access these audiences. This means that you’ll have to be passionate about communication and media-related tasks like attending events, calling professionals in your network, planning and strategizing your communication plan, etc.
To make it a PR executive, you will also need to be a quick thinker who can handle yourself in high-pressure or crises. Apart from these skills, it is also better if you have an extroverted personality as you’ll be communicating with various people during your average workday. If you’re easily intimidated by such situations, a career in PR may not be for you.
Suppose you’re passionate about the creative side of the media industry. In that case, you can look at a career as a copywriter, scriptwriter, content marketer, graphic designer, motion graphics artist, art director, or content strategist. Alternatively, if your real passion lies on the technical side, you could pursue a career in augmented reality, media planning, innovations, or even in pure science-based fields.
How to Launch Your Career in PR?
Start with the Right Education
After you finish your 12th-grade examinations, you can pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media, Journalism, or even Mass Communications. These undergraduate education streams will equip you with a core foundation in communications, consumer behaviour, sociology, media theory, digital advertising, etc.
The right Bachelor’s degree will help you develop a keen understanding of how the industry works and equip you with the skills needed to thrive.
If you want to make a career within a specific industry sector, pursuing a post-graduate diploma that focuses on your interest area makes sense. For example, if you want to learn all there is to know about PR, check out MICA and upgrades Public Relations M.A. Program to take your skills to the next level. With this program, you can become an expert in social media marketing, content marketing, branding, marketing analysis, and many other skills relevant to the industry.
“Public relation is a very important in any field and its importance is growing day by day in educational fields” say PRO in career counselling and part time online essay writing help service provider.
Get the Right Experience
In the last decade, the PR and communication industry has grown. However, landing jobs in the industry has become more difficult without the right experience. Once you graduate and enter the job market, employers will be on the lookout for candidates who impress them with a mix of their theoretical knowledge, as well as their on-ground experience. Internships or apprenticeships are the best options for when you’re looking to get substantial work experience.
It’s wise to intern when you are in college itself. Not only does this help you apply what you learn in your course, but it also enables you to understand the inner working of the industry. That way, you’ll know what skills you need to develop, and your strengths can be enhanced further.
Once you enter the job market, you’ll also have to showcase a portfolio of your projects and work for employers to evaluate. Internships, especially with reputed PR firms and agencies, can add value to your portfolio and help you stand out from other candidates.
Build Your Professional Network
Like so many other industries, even Public Relations are all about the right connections. This principle applies even when we’re answering the question of how to launch your career in PR. To start, join groups related to the industry on all social media platforms that you can. There are numerous such groups on LinkedIn and even Facebook.
All you need to do is keep yourself updated with who is frequently posting, the industry’s thought leaders and trendsetters, and other important information. By doing so, you’ll also stay up-to-date on the latest news, learn something new and cultivate fruitful professional relationships.
LinkedIn’s Job listings are usually trustworthy, from reputed organizations, and help develop new industry connections. It’s always a good idea to reconnect with old bosses, professors, peers, and other industry contacts you may have.
Stay Updated and Be Social-Savvy
This one is quite the no-brainer! One of the most critical factors for building your PR prowess is staying up-to-date with the news, current affairs, and what’s trending online. As an industry, PR is ever-evolving, and for your work to remain relevant and impactful, it must evolve as well.
The industry that your clients belong to should undoubtedly be one that you’re regularly updated on However, it pays to be active on social media as it helps you track the latest trends, get the latest information and keep tabs on the competition.
Learn to Communicate Effectively
We’ve said this before, and we’ll repeat it – to be a successful and effective PR professional, you must have stellar communication skills. If you aren’t naturally gifted at these skills, it pays to invest in a course that helps. Even a few tutorial videos and self-help books that can strengthen your weak areas are a great idea!
Since you will often be the communication bridge between your client’s end and the media’s end, learn to be straightforward yet amicable when you pitch, negotiate or work out other details with your professional network.
Get Better at the Day-to-Day Role’s Duties
All PR agencies don’t function in the same way. They serve clients in different sectors, but they also have distinct processes when it comes to execution. Additionally, when you have a hands-on responsibility towards a client, you will need to be well-versed in their industry’s basics.
If you have a client who deals with music artists and singers, you will have to acclimatize yourself to the industry. Similarly, if your client is in the IT industry, you’ll have to brush up on your IT vocab so that you can be at your professional best.
Most firms will train you and help you familiarize yourself with the industry and media landscape based on the client portfolio at the organization. However, as always, it won’t hurt to go the extra mile. Tap into your professional network and social platforms and attend training and workshops to aid your career growth.
Conclusion
While this article can act as a simple guide for those looking for advice on launching your career in PR, it is only a thought-starter. To succeed and make it as a PR professional in India, you need to learn and develop skills and competencies to help you achieve your clients’ goals. If you have any essay on PR to crack, do not forget to seek an expert in assignment help service.