Career help?

Question

Okay, can someone tell me what is a public relations representative and what they do and hohw long you have to go to college for it. And if you can, provide some careers that an idealistic person would enjoy.Thank you

Answer 1

A Public Relations Rep is generally hired to make a new company/service/person look good to "the public". You're not only responsible for making whatever it is you're representing look good, you have to make other people aware of how good it looks, and thus, bringing in business.

Public Relations is, for the most part, schmoozing. You have to be REALLY good at talking to people, and, more importantly, convincing those people to think like you do without them knowing it. You have to keep really on top of market trends and the latest fads, because no one will hire a Public Relations Rep who doesn't know what the current market is doing or what's popular with the public at the moment. Most (if not all) Reps work in big cities, since that's where they're needed most - they're job is to show the public why this restaurant/bookstore/service is THE place to go.

The most important background a Public Relations Rep can bring to a new job isn't education - it's contacts. The degree helps, sure - but if you don't know who to call, then you can't promote your client.

My advice? If this sounds like what you want to do, go to school (most Public Relations programs are 4 year degrees), and apply for every internship you can. Volunteer at local firms, if there are any - hopefully you'll make a few contacts while you're there. Talk it up with every business owner you come into contact with - you never know when that person might become useful to you.

If you're "idealistic" as you put it - this job is probably not for you. It's highly competitive, and most Public Relations people are pretty fake - after all, their job is to get along with everyone. Depending on what kind of ideals you hold, you may get more satisfaction out of something like Social Work, or maybe Nursing, where you're genuinely helping people in need.

Good luck!