Study Public Relations Abroad
The basic rules of journalism are already an issue at school. Everyone is familiar with advertising. But PR? You come across the word more and more often and PR agencies seem to spring up like mushrooms. What the people who work there are a mystery to many.
The word itself provides an explanation: PR stands for Public Relations – that means something like “relationship with the public”. In fact, the work with the public is not in the foreground, as the term public relations might suggest. Rather, it is about the relationship between the public and the company .
PR: Between journalism and advertising
According to topschoolsoflaw.com, the aim of various PR measures is to present a company, a person or an organization positively in public. This does not happen through disdainful advertising measures. Rather, PR specialists operate at the interface between journalism and advertising . You write press releases for newspapers, take care of the company’s appearance on the World Wide Web or communicate with business partners and customers.
Paths into the PR industry
As is well known, many roads lead to Rome. In the past, studying humanities or cultural studies followed by a traineeship offered good opportunities to land in a PR department or PR agency.
Since public relations are more important today, there are now several options to find work in the PR area:
- Independent courses in which students learn the craft of a PR specialist
- A degree in communication or media studies with a focus on public relations
Bachelor’s degree in PR
Independent bachelor’s degree programs in the field of PR and public relations are made up of communication and media science as well as business management topics .
The students get to know the basics of journalistic work, which they need to write press releases, for example. You will learn how media content can be designed in an appealing way, how to organize events or maintain a company’s appearance on the social web. Seminars on topics such as marketing or business administration round off the course.
Master’s degree in PR
For those striving for a management position, it is worthwhile to add a master’s degree to the bachelor’s degree. The master’s courses in PR are also open to graduates of related bachelor ’s programs , for example communication scientists .
Most universities offer the opportunity to specialize in a sub-area of PR or public relations. Possible specializations are
- Corporate communication
- Internal communication
- International public relations
- Media technologies
- Campaign management
- Online media
Requirements for a degree in PR
The Public Relations course is offered at universities and technical colleges. The basic requirement for the course is a high level of communication skills . In the later job, creativity and writing skills are also required.
PR agency or company? Possible occupational fields
The courses in PR / Public Relations prepare students for work in the PR industry. Classic employers are PR and advertising agencies as well as the PR departments of large commercial companies . Students who have gained professional experience in their first degree or during an internship may increase their chances of being hired.
Cities, associations, cultural institutions, universities and other organizations also have their own public relations departments. PR specialists are also in demand there. For example, you work as a PR specialist or press officer .
Advantages of a stay abroad
A PR professional should be able to speak foreign languages . English is compulsory. It is even better to master one or two other languages. It is therefore advisable for PR specialists to complete one or more semesters of study abroad .
During a study abroad, however, you can not only improve your foreign language skills. From a technical point of view, other teaching content at the foreign university can broaden the academic profile. The contacts to domestic and foreign fellow students also contribute to the acquisition of intercultural skills . This is a key qualification that is becoming increasingly important in professional life.
