PUBLIC
RELATIONS
Classes:
Course requirements for public relations majors include introductory advertising
and public relations, research, law and ethics, graphic design, public relations
writing and an additional writing course, public relations campaigns and
PR management.
Careers:
Public relations students most often seek staff writer positions with corporate,
institutional or non-profit organizations, either in external communications
(press releases, brochures, annual reports, special events, etc.) or internal
communications (employee newsletters and publications). Employment
opportunities also exist in account management with public relations firms.
Internships: Students are encouraged
to participate in supervised internships that carry three
hours of academic credit. Many students hold additional
internships (not for credit) that prepare them for entry-level
positions.
Capstone Experience:
Public relations students have the opportunity to
gain experience in the field through the annual Bateman case
competition of the Public
Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Competing
with other universities across the country, a group of undergraduate
students develops a complete campaign for a national client
that is judged by a panel of public relations professionals.
In the tropical paradise of Hawaii, USC public relations
students won the national championship in the 2002 Bateman
competition. Their winning campaign was for Contiki,
an international travel agency. Contiki provided the
student teams with all-expense paid trips to Honolulu.
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