Public relations requires creativity, perseverance and the ability to think on your feet. Make sure you do your research before starting down this career path.
Public Relations is a very broad field that consists of many functions and duties. One of the main functions of Public Relations is writing and the ability to work well with different types of people. If you don't like to write and prefer to work alone, this is not the field for you. One of the largest misconceptions about people who work in Public Relations is that people that they know consider them a "people person". This isn't a pre-requisite to working in Public Relations. Many Public Relations people don't fit the bubbly stereotype of a "people person". Public Relations is one of the creative sides of business. It requires creativity and the ability to think on your feet. Before you decide to pursue a career in the field of public relations, consider your own level of creativity, writing ability, people skills and quick thinking. If you are weak in any of those areas, find ways to improve or look into another career path.
Once you have decided that you are a creative person with good people and writing skills who can think on your feet, now you should do some external research. Because Public Relations consists of so many different functions such as special events planning, crisis communication, publicity/promotions, image consulting and more, it is very easy to specialize in one area and be quite successful. Public Relations is also a field that can be entered into at any level of your life. You don't have to go to school for years and years to become a proficient Public Relations person but you should take some time to study the field before you enter into it.
If you have yet to attend college and happen to discover Public Relations early on, you have some advantages over someone who has attended college and gotten a degree and possibly some work experience in another field. You can take some time and really research the field by taking an Introduction to Public Relations class at the beginning of your college career as well as seeking out an internship where you can get hands on, real world experience doing Public Relations.
If you have been in the work force for some time and aren't interested in going back to school for another degree or unable to, the next best thing would be to find someone who works in public relations and meet with them. You can either do a web search on public relations organizations in your area or just contact public relations firms and ask to speak to the President or owner of the company about setting up a meeting. Cold calling, although never easy, could turn out pretty well. You may meet a good mentor in the field. People enjoy talking about themselves and by stroking that part of their ego, you could learn a lot.
Public relations is a field that can be a lot of fun but it also involves a lot of hard work and dedication. In the beginning, you may have to work some long hours but in the end you will be able to learn and experience a dynamic field that is constantly changing and involves various types of disciplines. But beware; this is not a field for the faint of heart. Before you dive in, do your research and make sure this is something you want to pursue.
