ss allows students to find jobs in a variety of industries.
Salary Trends in Public Relations
Tennessee public relations graduates command starting salaries competitive with starting salaries nationwide. Like other communication professionals, public relations graduates tend to begin their careers in the low salary ranges and then move up quickly when they demonstrate their ability to perform.
High School Preparation
Creativity, initiative, good judgment and the ability to express thoughts clearly— both verbally and in writing—are essential for students who are contemplating majoring in public relations. Problem-solving, decision-making and analytical skills are also important. Inquisitiveness about a broad range of topics, including current events and trends, is another fundamental characteristic.
While in high school, you should consider working for your school newspaper, radio station, yearbook committee, or any other opportunity that will enable you to sharpen your communication skills. Enrolling in courses such as public speaking, desktop publishing, accounting, finance, English, and creative writing is also valuable to those considering an undergraduate degree in public relations.
How to Major in Public Relations
Students may choose public relations as their major when applying to UT. Current students should contact the School of Advertising and Public Relations for current admission procedures.
Requirements for Public Relations
Requirements for the major fall into several broad categories that include basic skills, general education requirements, and major requirements.
In the basic skills category, students follow a prescribed list of courses that involve writing, foreign language, and math. In the general education category, students complete courses in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and western or world civilization that provide the breadth of knowledge required of the communication professional. In the major category, students begin with a prescribed set of courses that involve public relations principles, public relations communication, and public relations cases. Following completion of these courses, students enroll in course work designed to advance their knowledge of public relations campaigns and current topics in the public relations field. In addition, students may select from elective courses involving topics such as social networking to complete their degree program.
Special Programs, Co-ops, and Internships
All public relations majors may take one hour of internship credit. That translates to 10 hours a week for a semester or full time in the summer. A major benefit is that the experience routinely reduces the amount of time you’ll need to become productive as a new employee on your first job. That’s an important consideration for a potential employer. For that reason, many students complete more than one internship.
Students have interned on and off the campus in Knoxville, and in other cities and states. Interns often are hired full-time after graduation based on their internship. You may find your internship work either confirms the kind of job you want after graduation, or leads you to a job in a different aspect of public relations.
Highlights of Public Relations
International study is possible through well-established exchange programs with professional schools in the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Public relations majors join the Public Relations Society of America and participate in local, regional, and national conferences. The University of Tennessee is one of a very few universities nationwide who offer a separate major in public relations.
Students in the College of Communication and Information are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program as part of the University of Tennessee’s commitment to make our graduates “Ready for the World.” Studying abroad opens up many opportunities for students to learn about communication and information in an international setting, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and enhance their marketabil