Public relations (PR) refer to the variety of activities conducted by a company to promote and protect the image of the company, its products and policies in the eyes of the public. Thus it aims to manage public opinion of the organization. Public relations encompasses a broad range of activities.
Here is an authoritative list of all career options that one can pursue after completing a BA in Public Relations in India:
Communications Officer
If you’re a BA Public Relations graduate, pursuing the road to becoming a Communications Officer is a fantastic choice for you. The job description is exciting, and you’ll be challenged to solve new problems every day in a creative manner. Is there anything more satisfying? No, I doubt it.
A Communication Officer is responsible for writing marketing communication material and collecting information. They work closely with product and marketing managers, designers and website managers. Some aspects of the job description, as well as work-life balance, can vary from company to company. Some businesses ensure that their workers have a good work-life balance, while others do not.
With time, leadership opportunities become open, and the opportunity for career advancement is enormous. However, bear in mind that this is a desk job, so travel will be a rare aspect of your workday. So, if travel is a top priority or a make-or-break factor for you, this career path may not be the right fit for you.
The pay in this field is good, with freshers being given a good starting salary (approximately INR 2 to 5 Lacs). The money in this sector is growing slowly but steadily. Are you ecstatic? Start applying for Communications Officer positions now. What if it’s not your cup of tea? Continue reading for a few more suggestions to assist you in finding your dream career.
Research Analyst
Another great option for public relations students right now is to become a Research Analyst. Demand had been steadily increasing since the early 2000s, and has skyrocketed recently.
And supply has not risen in proportional way, at least not yet. If you remember even a little-bit of high school economics, you would be jumping in joy because it means that your pay has just ballooned up.
What Research Analyst actually do is this – A Research Analyst performs research and collects data and information to help a company market its products and services. They collect data like consumer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits, and evaluate such information using statistical techniques and software.
Pretty simple, right? Well, not really. Your organization would require you to put a lot of attention in this, because even one slight mistake can cost them a lot. Work–life balance is okay, and you may need to put in a couple of hours of overtime every so often.
Starting salaries are around INR 2 to 4.5 Lac, but as always, a lot depends upon your individual skills, the size of the organization, as well as the location where you are working. So, don’t come at me with pitchforks if your salary does not fall in this range. Monetary growth happens very quickly in this industry. Once you have some experience behind your name, you are golden.
Lecturer
A great option for you, if you are a BA Public Relations graduate, is to pursue the path to become an Lecturer. The work-profile is really interesting, and you would be required to solve unique problems every day. Is there a better feeling than that? Probably not.
In simple terms, a lecturer teaches candidates at undergraduate level in areas allocated by the Head of Department (HOD), and/or assist with supervision of undergraduate, taught graduate (Masters) or research graduate (MPhil/ PhD) students.
Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations) graduates have an added advantage, as they have been trained to manage and effectively communicate with people due to regular assignments and coursework during their 3 years of graduation.
Salaries are a mixed lot. Some universities offer really good starting salaries, whereas others would require you to slog for a couple of years before you get decent pay. On average, you can expect your starting salary to be around INR 2 to 5 Lakhs per annum.
Director of External Affairs
Right now, external affairs officials are one of the most in-demand professionals in India. Students who will graduate after completing Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations are the ones who are most eligible for this position.
A Director of External Affairs is a senior position with many responsibilities, including managing staff, overseeing or supervising PR efforts, such as written communications or interviews, and working with other executives. And did we mention that the growth prospects are excellent?
The real picture is that money in this sector has been steadily increasing year-by-year. You should expect to earn somewhere between INR 2.5 to 8 Lakhs when you begin your journey in this field, but a lot depends on how good you are at your work and the company that hires you.
Work-life balance varies by organisation, but in general, weekends are considered holidays, and overtime is uncommon.
Only a few people who are successful enough to rise to the top are offered leadership positions. In this field, a lot of soft skills are needed, and being an introvert can work against you. A high degree of self-assurance is an absolute must. If you don’t like working in groups and have poor communication skills, this may not be the best option for you.
Public Relations Officer
If you’re unsure about all the above given options, then Public Relations Officer may be the right fit for you. Lately the demand has been rising like crazy and now would be the perfect time to get into the job market for this field. If you have opened LinkedIn lately, you would have definitely seen that it is filled with employers asking for Public Relations Officers.
Okay, great. But what does a public relations officer actually do? Here’s the answer.
A Public Relations Officer basically manages reputation. They gain understanding and support for clients, as well as try to influence opinion and behavior. They use all forms of media and communication to build, maintain and manage the reputation of their clients.
Sometimes your responsibilities may be more or less, but in essence, it all boils down to controlling the image of your client. So if you think that you would enjoy doing that, then becoming a Public Relations Officer might just be your best option.
Let’s get to the juicy part. Starting salaries are in the range of INR 3 to 7 Lakhs, but the earning potential is sky-high. And keep in mind that this is an average estimate, and your salary would be more than this if you live in a major town or a tier-1 city.
Leadership opportunities are available with time, and the potential for career growth is phenomenal. But keep in mind that this is a desk job, so travel will rarely be a part of your professional life. So if travel is a big priority or a make-or-break thing for you, this career option may not be your best bet.