College is a whole new world, and it can be hard to choose what you want to dedicate the next 3-5 years to. It was for me. I knew I wanted to study marketing but settling on a minor was hard. I started with psychology, then information systems and finally landed on public relations. From the first class I took in the journalism department, I felt like this was it! I wasn’t going to change my minor anymore. The third time’s a charm, right?
Here’s why PR is the best pairing for a marketing degree:
1. Interconnectivity between course topics
The marketing and public relations requirements include complimentary courses that I found valuable in preparing me for a career in marketing. Digital marketing, consumer behavior, advertising and social media marketing are a few of the topics covered by the marketing side, while visual media design, advertising and PR techniques are offered on the public relations side. Marketing classes tend to be more analytic and mathematical, and PR classes are more creative and subjective.
2. Learn how to effectively communicate with key publics
While marketing focuses on the history and fundamentals of communication, the public relations courses focus on the how-to of communicating with the public through press releases and conferences, direct messages and in-person interaction. Combining the fundamentals of business with the soft skills of public relations creates a well-rounded professional who can bring value to just about any type of organization.
3. Expand on your writing skills
Every PR course in the journalism department includes a writing component. But don’t worry, there are no long essays involved. The professors emphasize the importance of being able to write accurately and concisely. We practice writing press releases and blog posts like this, which prepare you for the future. With a major in marketing and a minor in PR, the career possibilities are basically endless!
To see the marketing and PR pairing in action, visit my online portfolio! Also, make sure to like/comment/share if you found this post helpful.
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