Ken Hitchner, NJ, on Starting a PR Career in New Brunswick

Working in public relations is a rewarding profession with plenty of room for growth. With consumers distrusting advertising more than ever, PR is becoming a critical part of marketing strategies. This new focus on PR means that there has never been a better time to pursue a career in this field. Here is a guide to starting a PR career in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

How to Know if PR is Right For You?

Before working toward a career as a PR professional, you need to know if it’s right for you. You might enjoy working in PR if you enjoy networking and thrive on building relationships. You will need to form and maintain relationships with clients, as well as vendors, and other partners. You should be a good listener and genuinely care about helping people rather than simply advancing your career.

PR might also be the perfect career for you if you’re detail-oriented and you can communicate effectively. Specifically, it’s helpful to be a strong writer as one of your main duties will be creating content. It’s also a good sign if you aren’t fazed by rejection since PR professionals face rejection regularly. Ideally, you want to be the kind of person who works harder and is motivated by rejection rather than defeated by it.

Where to Start

So, if you’ve decided a career in PR would be right for you, where do you go from there? Fortunately, we have an amazing university right in town where you can earn a degree and get started right. Rutgers University offers bachelor of arts degrees with a concentration on strategic public Communication and public relations. You can also minor in digital communication, information, and media. Or, you may opt for a bachelor of science degree in marketing.

Maybe you already have an undergraduate degree but are looking to further your education to get a headstart in PR. Rutgers Business School offers a Master of Science in Digital Marketing as well as MBAs with concentrations in marketing. There are also plenty of online degree options available at schools across the country.

Next Steps

One of the best ways to obtain a job in PR is through an internship while you’re in school. You may also be able to start an internship after you graduate. Otherwise, you are depending on your resume to earn opportunities. If you are sending out resumes, make sure that yours stands out from the crowd. Don’t forget to include an impressive and memorable cover letter as well.

New Brunswick, NJ is a great place to work in public relations. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to a successful and rewarding career in PR.