Want to Build a Career in Public Relations - Heres What You Need
Working as reputation advocates for organizations and helping them build
and maintain positive relationships with public sounds fascinating. But
the truth is that it requires a lot of hard work, smart decision
making, strong interpersonal skills and thorough knowledge of business
environment and law.
PR professionals are some of the most talented people around who know
how to build relationships, handle controversies and promote businesses.
They handle a variety of organizational functions including consumer
relations, government relations, investor relations, employee relations,
media relations, conflict mediation, promotional campaigns and many
others.
They are generally employed with public relations agencies, digital
marketing companies, corporate houses, investor relations departments,
corporate communications departments, non-profit organizations and any
other business for that matter.
Being a public relations secretary or manager or playing assistant to PR
managers or working in this field at any level definitely has its own
perk. But it’s not for everyone. It is for those who have an in-depth
understanding of the complex world in which businesses operate and
skills to navigate through criticism and critical rapport-building
skills.
Building a Career in Public Relations
If you have a strong desire for building a career in public relations,
you need to begin early. Enrolling in a public relations degree after
completing high school marks the beginning of your career in this field.
However, it’s not as simple as it seems. Competition is fierce.
In order to enroll into a bachelor of public relations program in Toronto, you need to
- Fulfill minimum eligibility requirements
- Complete a writing test
- Provide a resume detailing relevant work experience
- Submit a letter of intent explaining the reason for applying
The minimum eligibility criteria for applying for PR programs Toronto include:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- At least six Grade 12 U, Grade 12 M or OAC credits with an overall average of 65 percent or higher
- English Grade 12 U with final grade 70 percent or higher
- Math Grade 12 U with final grade 65 percent or higher
You will also need to complete a writing test if you are found eligible for the program. This will be a decisive factor.
Choosing the Right College
There are many colleges in Toronto that offer public relations courses.
The basic curriculum of the programs remains the same. However, you may
find a difference in application procedures, hands-on-experience and
field placement opportunities.
Not all public relations programs offer you the required industry
exposure, opportunities to manage real world projects and chances to
work with companies. It’s really important to choose the right college
that offers more targeted education and practical experience.
A program in public relations helps you
- Develop thorough understanding of public relations industry
- Build critical skills for professional writing
- Learn key business skills to gain a competitive edge in the industry
- Understand the concepts of global citizenship, Corporate Social Responsibility and Media Communications
- Learn skills to navigate digital world
You are prepared to work in diverse range of careers in different
industries. The job of a PR professional is extremely demanding. You can
build a rewarding career if you have a desire to learn continuously and
an ability to adapt to changes quickly.