Job Responsibilities
My major responsibilities include writing and diseminating
information in the form of press releases, feature stories(case
studies/success stories), a quarterly electronic newsletter, Web
content, as well as developing media relations with reporters in
print and electronic media. I also provide counsel to my
superiors on the best ways to position our programs and services
through the media.
|
Job Requirements
In my case, I studied Journalism - which is one of the better
majors you can have if you want a career in public relations.
Initially, I wanted to become a newspaper reporter, but having
the training in Journalism prepared me well for a career in
Public Relations. At the time I was studying at my university -
they did not offer one course in public relations. Today, they
offer quite a few public relations courses. I recommend taking as
many public relations, marketing, journalism and communications
courses as possible. I never had the benefit of a public
relations or marketing course. I would have loved to have taken
more while attending college.
Journalism gives you a solid foundation in news writing, which is
needed to become a successful public relations specialist. While
communciations skills, creativity, organization and marketing all
play a part in public relations - writing is paramount in this
field. You will be pitching stories to journalists who will
judge your proposals and news releases based on your ability to
write. I found the academic part of it great. I had a few
professors who were journalists and they taught us well. I never
found the workload overwhelming. I also attended a coop school
where we were placed in jobs for one or two semesters at a time.
This also played a part in my development and is where I learned
many of the skills I possess today. Imagine getting real life
experience at 18 years old. Prior to going to college I also
wrote for a weekly newspaper in my town covering high school
sports. Looking back on some of those early articles - I cringe
a bit. However, as I improved and look back at some of the other
articles that I wrote when I was 18-20 I wonder out loud did I
really write that. So in addition to education - I cannot stress
enough practical experience whenever possible.
|
Uppers
The great part of this job is the thrill I get when I see an article in the
newspaper or on television that was initiated by me pitching an idea to a
reporter.
Since I work for a government agency - I get to meet small business owners who
have benefited from our programs and services. The best part is when I do a story
on one of these companies and it gets published. Most of these companies don't
have a public relations person on staff. So when a story does get published most
of these business owners are most appreciative of getting positive press
|
Downers
Every now and then tight deadlines are the worst part of the job,
as well as repetition of some stories on an annual basis. The
other part would be writing a great story and not being able to
get it published or placed on a television newscast.
|
Lifestyle
In this particular position there is limited travel, which I like. I do travel
throughout the state to meet with editors, news directors and of course business
people that I write stories about. But there is really no out of state travel.
There are definitely networking opportunities. Our dress code is very liberal -
Dockers and turtlenecks or golf shirts if we don't have to attend meetings or
events outside the office. If someone schedules a meeting inside the office we
have to dress in business attire and of course whenever there is a business
function or event outside the office proper business attire is required. Working
for the government you will find a diverse mix of people who come from all walks
of life. Personally, I enjoy the diversity my office has.
|
Compensation
Salary is not too bad. In major cities the federal government
gives a cost of living adjustment in salaries. For this
particular job the salary range is from $50,000 to $85,000. There
is a generous 401K with a 5 percent match from the employer.
However, bonuses are very weak in the federal government. The
largest bonus you might see is about $2,000. There is no dental
or eyeglass plan with many of the health plans that you can
choose from. Employees are expected to pay a percentage of their
health care plan. Benefits may not be as good as the private
sector. However, the federal government vaction and sick leave
is based on hours earned per pay period. Because I have been
with the federal government for 24 years I earn six weeks of
vacation per year. I have built my sick leave up to 1500 hours.
In the event I suffer a majo illness that time off will be paid.
Also, within the past ten years the federal government has
introduced alternative work schedules and telecommuting. I am on
the altnernative work schedule. I work nine hours a day and get
one day off every two weeks. It is a schedule I don't think I
can live without. So while the benefits package might not be
great - the vacation and flex time work schedules are very good.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
I think anyone who wants to work in public relations has to have
knowledge of communications, marketing, advertising and
journalism. Ultimately, you have to have a strong background in
writing. Also, I recommend that you learn as much as you can
about Web site development and keeping up with technology to make
the job that much easier. I believe that there will always be a
need for public relations specialists. Because we live in an
information world - I think the outlook for this field is very
good.
|
|
