Public Relations Specialist Job Description
Overview

A Public Relations Specialist formulates PR plans and strategies, writes press releases and speeches, and manages media relations and requests. Their role is to enhance the company’s voice and presence thrugh online and offline channels, and plan and administer events, fairs and conferences. Their responsibilities are to lead survey initiatives and analyze public opinion, facilitate the resolution of disputes with the public or external vendors, present solutions in times of PR crisis, and support the implementation of promotional plans.
Steps to take to start your career as a Public Relations Specialist and other jobs like it
- A bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or political science is a great starting point. These fields help you build skills in writing, media relations, and policy analysis—key components of public affairs work.
- Networking is huge in public affairs. Reach out to local outreach coordinators in industries that interest you—government agencies, nonprofits, or corporate PR teams. Ask for informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities. Joining professional organizations like PRSA or NAGC can also help you make valuable connections.
- Internships and entry-level roles are the best way to get your foot in the door. Look for opportunities in public relations, government communications, or media relations. Working on press releases, public campaigns, or social media strategy will give you practical skills that employers love.
- Want to stand out even more? Consider getting certified, like earning the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential. Training in crisis communication, government affairs, or digital strategy can also give you an edge. Once you've built experience and connections, start applying for public affairs specialist roles in government, nonprofits, or corporate settings. Keep refining your communication skills, stay updated on industry trends, and never stop learning!
How I Got Into This Field
My name is Emily and I'm currently working in public affairs, doing a lot of stakeholder outreach for a small environmental startup company that's focused on recycling. It started, my interest or my awareness, I should say, of this field was when I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa. There was no health or sanitation infrastructure in the village where I lived, which is something that I think you'd sort of take for granted living in the States. There also was so much waste generated that didn't have a way to be responsibly managed. So fast forward a few years from that and I actually went back to graduate school to get my master's in public administration, and I interned at a public utility agency working on some of their recycling programs. And that's it, that's what launched it. I had such an interest in it. So my career for talking trash began in graduate school, and I haven't looked back since.
Job Responsibilities
You need to love the environment and love environmental and sustainability policies. You need to be a good communicator, publicly, personally—in person, or just through writing. You need to be a strategic thinker. A lot of times, you're sort of mapping out how you're gonna approach a situation, how you're gonna engage with certain people, sort of what my company's perception is or perspective is versus someone else's. You also, I would say, can't be conflict-averse or afraid to state your opinion.
What Public Affairs is Like
It's about relationship building. So there's a lot of research that goes into finding out who the right people are to speak with, who the right people are to help you understand XYZ issue. There's a lot of emailing, there's events to attend. And right now, in the recycling and solid waste space, there's a lot of environmental producer responsibility—EPR—legislation that's being adopted in various states. And so I'm spending a lot of time reading those and making sure that the company I work for fits in and can support those great efforts.
Tips for Getting Started
A lot of states have recycling associations, and I think those are great associations to get involved with. You can volunteer with them, you can sit on their board, you can attend their conferences. It's really all about networking. And there are great platforms right now that allow you to easily do that. But in the recycling and solid waste space, I think you can always reach out—who's your recycling coordinator at your university? Who's your sustainability person at your university? The same goes for the city. A lot of cities have recycling coordinators or solid waste program managers or sustainability coordinators. Reach out to them, ask them for coffee, sort of see what they're doing, what their job consists of, how they got into their fields. That's a great start.
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Education you need to become a Public Relations Specialist
These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming a Public Relations Specialist
There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in History
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Physics Education
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.)
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