Public Relations Career Resource Guide
Introduction:
Public relations blends writing, strategy, media, storytelling, and relationship-building. This guide organizes high-quality PR tools into clear stages of exploration and preparation. Many resources appear more than once because they support multiple stages. At the top is the PRSSA Career Resources Manual, your one-stop shop for PR careers, experience building, networking, resumes, and job search prep.
Table of Contents:
- Featured One-Stop Resource
- Explore Interests and Careers
- Network and Build Connections
- Application Materials and Strategies
- Apply to Jobs
- Consider Graduate School
- Career Support & Sources
Featured One-Stop Resource:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| PRSSA Career Resources Manual | “The Career Resources Manual is an all-encompassing guide that highlights different aspects of public relations, the job search and ways for members to utilize PRSSA to secure an internship and entry-level position. It handles everything from sectors of public relations to salary negotiation, with some tips for résumés, cover letters and interviews.” – PRSSA Career Tools Page |
Explore Interests and Careers:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| PRSSA Career Resources Manual (linked above) | Listed above as the main one-stop guide. |
| My Next Move: Public Relations Specialists | Beginner-friendly career overview including tasks, skills, abilities, and related pathways. |
| O*NET: Public Relations Specialist | In-depth breakdown of daily tasks, knowledge, skills, and work styles for PR professionals. |
| My Next Move: State-by-State PR Outlook | Explore regional job demand, hiring trends, and salary expectations for PR roles. |
| CareerOneStop PR Career Video | Short video introducing the general work of a PR specialist. |
| What Is Public Relations? (WayUp) | Overview of what PR is, who works in it, and how beginners can enter the field. |
| Types of PR Jobs (WayUp) | Breakdown of roles like media relations, crisis communication, agency PR, and more. |
| Become a Public Relations Specialist (WayUp) | Steps to entering PR as a college student or new grad. |
| Day in the Life of a PR Assistant (Vault) | Great insight into real entry-level PR responsibilities. |
| PRSAY Blog: Careers in PR | Articles with professional insights, career perspectives, and industry trends. |
| PRSA Early Career Resources | Tools, tips, and early-career guidance for new PR professionals. |
Network and Build Connections:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| PRSSA Career Resources Manual | Listed above as the main one-stop guide. |
| PRSA Professional Development Search | Find relevant trainings, events, and workshops to expand your network. |
| Professional Development Fund | Helpful when PR associations or events have fees. Students can apply for funding support; review instructions and guidelines. |
| Mentor Match: Alumni in Arts, Media, and Marketing Related Networking Source | Connect with alumni in PR and communication for mentorship or informational interviews. |
| LinkedIn Groups: Public Relations | Join PR-related groups to engage with professionals and learn industry insights. |
| Center for Communication | Events and speaker programs featuring leaders in media, PR, journalism, and communication. |
| Future Now Media Foundation | Networking, mentoring, and industry programs for communication and media careers. |
Application Materials and Strategies:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Commonly Asked Arts and Communication Interview Questions | Sample interview questions for PR, marketing, and communication roles. |
| Stay Connected: Newsletters, Social Media, Event Calendars | Helpful for tailoring resumes, cover letters, and interviews based on current PR trends. |
| PRSA Career Tools | Resume, portfolio, and writing sample guidance for PR applicants. |
| Best Advertising and PR Companies (Indeed) | Research strong employers and understand workplace reputation before applying. |
| LinkedIn Company Search Tool (Comprehensive Resource) LinkedIn PR Company Search | Useful for identifying companies to target and tailoring application materials. |
Gain Experience:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Highly Recommended Job and Internship Boards | Great starting point for PR-related jobs and internships. |
| PRSSA Career Resources Manual | Listed above as the main one-stop guide. |
| Discover Where Creative & Communicative Internships Can Take You | Internships completed by Binghamton students through CDCI, including PR-related ones. |
| MediaBistro | Offers PR internships, writing roles, and media-focused opportunities. |
| The Forage: Marketing and Communication Simulation | Free skill-building simulation related to communications and PR. |
| Student Organization Navigation Guide | Explore campus clubs to gain experience in marketing, communications, promotions, and PR-related projects. |
| Center for Communication | Provides hands-on, PR-adjacent experience through media and communication programs. |
| Future Now Media Foundation | Offers real-world communication exposure and experiential learning opportunities. |
Apply to Jobs:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Highly Recommended Job and Internship Boards | Strong job search starting point for PR and related roles. |
| PRSA Job Board | Job postings across agency, corporate, nonprofit, and government PR. |
| PRSSA Career Resources Manual (linked above) | Listed above as the main one-stop guide. |
| PRSA Career Tools | Application support including resumes, writing samples, and portfolios. |
| MediaBistro | PR, communications, writing, and digital media job postings. |
| LinkedIn Company Search Tool (Comprehensive Resource) LinkedIn PR Company Search | Identify PR-related companies and follow them for hiring updates. |
Consider Graduate School:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Further Education One Page Guide | Overview of MA programs in communication, public relations, journalism, and related fields. |
Career Support & Sources:
As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
| Reminder | What This Means for You |
|---|---|
| Use Multiple Sources | Information about careers and education can vary depending on where you look. Try checking several websites and resources when researching anything related to your career development (for example: job outlooks, salaries, industry trends, graduate programs, or fellowships, etc.). This will help you get a fuller, more accurate picture of what employers or admissions committees are looking for. |
| Make Sure to Network | Talking directly with people associated with your career goals or the programs/companies you’re interested in can give you the clearest and most useful insights. Reach out to professionals, recruiters, alumni, or current students to learn what really matters in your field (for example: company expectations, hiring timelines, résumé preferences, graduate program requirements, etc.). Even within the same industry or graduate program type, different organizations and admissions committees may value things differently. Listening carefully to their guidance can help you put your best foot forward. |
| Use AI Ethically in Career Development | AI tools can be a great resource for brainstorming, polishing materials, or practicing interview questions (for example: outlining position description details to guide your documents, generating practice questions, etc.). But it works best when you use it thoughtfully and make sure the final work reflects your own skills and voice. Some employers and graduate programs may not allow AI, so always check instructions carefully. Think of AI as a helper, not a replacement—and remember, Career Consultants are happy to guide you on how to use it effectively! |
| Be Aware of Employment Scams | When searching for jobs or internships, it’s important to stay alert for potential scams—especially when exploring positions outside of Binghamton’s Handshake. Common warning signs include requests for personal or financial information upfront, job offers without interviews, or anything that seems “too good to be true.” To learn more about what to watch for, see real examples, and find out how to protect yourself or respond if you encounter a scam, check out Employment Scam Information – Binghamton University. Staying informed helps you pursue opportunities safely and confidently. |
Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.
Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.
Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.
Picture Source: Gemini (AI-generated image by Google Gemini) or Freepik.com
Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Mentor Match: Alumni in Arts, Media, and Marketing Looking to Offer Career Support. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/mentor-match-alumni-in-arts-media-and-marketing-looking-to-offer-career-support/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Stay Connected: Newsletters, Social Media, and Event Calendars for Creative Arts, Media, and Design. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/stay-connected-newsletters-social-media-event-calendars-for-creative-arts-media-design/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Professional Development Fund. https://www.binghamton.edu/fleishman-center/funding/professional-development-fund.html (or your linked version)
- PRSSA / PRSA. Career Resources Manual (2024). https://www.prsa.org/docs/default-source/prssa-docs/internships-jobs/careerresourcesmanual_2024.pdf
- PRSSA / PRSA. Internships and Jobs. https://www.prsa.org/prssa/internships-jobs
- PRSA. Job Board. https://jobs.prsa.org/
- PRSA. Professional Development Search (Communications). https://www.prsa.org/search-professional-development?Keywords=&SortOrder=ASC&Categories=3e3dade6-6fc0-4291-8123-132357bd598b
- PRSA. Early Career Resources. https://www.prsa.org/career/early-career
- LinkedIn. Public Relations Groups Search. https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/groups/?keywords=public%20relations&origin=SWITCH_SEARCH_VERTICAL
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Using LinkedIn’s Company Search Tool for Arts, Media, and Marketing Careers. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/using-linkedins-company-search-tool-for-arts-media-and-marketing-careers/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Discover Where Creative Internships Can Take You. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/%f0%9f%8e%a8-discover-where-creative-internships-can-take-you/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Highly Recommended Job & Internship Boards. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/highly-recommended-job-internship-boards-to-enhance-your-search/
- My Next Move. Public Relations Specialists Profile. https://www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/27-3031.00
- O*NET Online. Public Relations Specialists Summary. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-3031.00
- My Next Move. Public Relations Specialists (State Profile). https://www.mynextmove.org/profile/state/27-3031.00
- WayUp. Public Relations Internships. https://www.wayup.com/s/internships/public-relations/
- Indeed. Best Advertising & Public Relations Companies. https://www.indeed.com/companies/best-Advertising-&-Public-Relations-companies
- WayUp. What Is Public Relations? https://www.wayup.com/guide/what-is-public-relations/
- WayUp. Different Types of Public Relations Jobs. https://www.wayup.com/guide/what-are-the-different-types-of-public-relations-jobs/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Center of Communication. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/center-of-communication/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Mediabistro. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/mediabistro-2/
- PRSSA / PRSA. Career Tools. https://www.prsa.org/prssa/internships-jobs/career-tools
- WayUp. How to Become a Public Relations Specialist. https://www.wayup.com/guide/become-public-relations-specialist/
- Vault. A Day in the Life: Public Relations Assistant. https://vault.com/blogs/day-in-the-life/a-day-in-the-life-public-relations-assistant
- CareerOneStop. Public Relations Specialists Career Video. https://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=27303100
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Student Organization Navigation Guide: Creative Arts, Media & Marketing. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/student-organization-navigation-guide-creative-arts-media-marketing-cluster/
- The Forage. NSW Government Marketing and Communication Virtual Experience. https://www.theforage.com/simulations/nsw-government/marketing-and-communication-pzik
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Commonly Asked Arts & Communication Interview Questions. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/commonly-asked-arts-communication-interview-questions/
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Further Education One-Page Guide. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/further-education-one%e2%80%91page-guide-creative-arts-media-marketing/
- LinkedIn. Company Search Filter: Advertising & Public Relations. https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/companies/?industryCompanyVertical=%5B%2298%22%5D&origin=FACETED_SEARCH
- Binghamton University Fleishman Center. Creative Arts, Media & Marketing Career Cluster Resource Navigator. https://careertools.binghamton.edu/resources/creative-arts-media-marketing-career-cluster-resource-navigator/
- Future Now Media Foundation. https://www.futurenowmediafoundation.org/
- PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). PRsay Blog: Careers in PR. https://prsay.prsa.org/category/careers-in-pr/
AI Assistance: Portions of this resource may have been developed with support from AI tools (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Gemini), used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content has been reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.
