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First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from DePaul University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 51%, Public Relations graduates from DePaul University have a much lower likelihood (-16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 15% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Public Relations graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 53% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from DePaul University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSpecial Events & Featured Artist Intern Music Garage Jan 2015 - May 2015 Social Media Manager  Metronome Apr 2015 - Sep 2015 Artist Relations Intern  Audiotree May 2015 - Sep 2015 Special Events Intern Anticipation Events May 2015 - Oct 2015 Resident Services Manager 1237 West Sep 2015 - Jun 2016 Meetings & Conferences Intern American Institute of Steel Construction Mar 2016 - Apr 2016 Administrative Assistant American Institute of Steel Construction Apr 2016 - Jun 2016 Event Assistant Salvage One Mar 2016 - Aug 2016 Events Manager LoganSquarist May 2016 - Aug 2016 Office Manager / Marketing & Social Media Coordinator Ekonomisk Mgmt Jun 2016 - Jan 2017 Events Coordinator Hopewell Brewing Company Jul 2017 - Nov 2017 Box Office Manager The Chicago Academy for the Arts Jan 2017 - Apr 2018 Sales Support Associate / College Event Leader Madewell Mar 2017 - Apr 2018 Box Office Ticket Agent House of Blues Entertainment Aug 2017 - Apr 2018 Studio Assistant Good Beer Hunting Apr 2018 - Jan 2019 Wedding Consultant Flowers For Dreams Apr 2018 - Jan 2019 Event Sales Manager LOW RES Jan 2019 - Jun 2020 Lead Event Planner Modern Rebel Dec 2020 - Sep 2022 Event Sales Manager Chicago Winery Aug 2022 - Mar 2023 Meetings & Groups Manager The Hoxton Apr 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we take a look at the job paths of recent graduates from DePaul University with a degree in Public Relations, there’s a pretty clear trend that emerges. A lot of these individuals have ventured into roles in sales, customer service, and management within the hospitality sector or similar fields. Positions like bartending, serving, or even managing restaurants dominate the scene for many of these graduates. While these roles might require good communication skills and some level of customer interaction, they generally don’t utilize the specific strategies and tactics learned in their PR programs. So, for many of them, it feels like they're not only working outside their area of study but also missing out on applying those PR skills in a practical way.
However, it’s not all bad news. There are also graduates who have found their way into more relevant PR-related roles, especially those that involve marketing, social media management, and event coordination. For example, positions like Marketing Coordinator or Account Manager certainly require knowledge that aligns with a Public Relations degree and suit those more focused on strategic communication. That said, the overall picture shows that while some grads are landing jobs that truly reflect their education, many are still working in fields that don’t fully embrace their public relations training. It would be great to see more PR graduates take up roles that genuinely leverage their unique skills and expertise in communication and media relations.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Relations graduates (this is across all Public Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to DePaul University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from DePaul University with a degree in Public Relations, it seems like their trajectories can vary quite a bit, especially when considering their first jobs out of college. Many of the early positions seem to lean more towards internships, part-time jobs, or roles in hospitality, which isn’t too unusual for recent grads. For instance, several 2010 alumni started in service jobs like bartending and then shifted into internships that are more aligned with PR. Over time, however, we can see graduates gradually transitioning into more relevant roles, such as marketing coordinators and account managers, particularly if they took advantage of internships while studying.
Fast forward five to ten years post-graduation, many graduates seem to settle into good positions, often in marketing and communications roles. For example, individuals from the 2014 and 2015 classes moved into managerial positions within nonprofits and marketing firms, definitively showcasing a diversification in their careers that aligns more closely with their degree. Some even climb the corporate ladder into director roles, indicating that while some may start off in less directly related roles, they pivot towards spaces that make the most of their PR training. Overall, it appears that while not every graduate immediately lands a ‘PR’ job right after graduation, many find their way into good careers relevant to their field over time, which is definitely a reassuring sign for any aspiring students considering a similar path.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, and DePaul University is no exception. It’s definitely not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the hardest—you’ll find it manageable if you stay on top of your assignments and engage with the material. You’ll tackle everything from writing and communication skills to media strategy and crisis management, which can be challenging but also really interesting. If you’re passionate about storytelling and enjoy working with people, you might find it a fun ride! Just be prepared for some long nights of group projects and presentations, but overall, it’s an attainable degree with some rewarding moments along the way.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.
Looking at these graduates from DePaul University, it seems like the money they’re making really varies based on their roles and how quickly they've moved up the ladder. The earlier grads often spent time in typical entry-level positions in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, which don’t usually pay a ton, although they did eventually climb to managerial roles where they could earn more. Those who got into sales and marketing roles a bit earlier seem to have found a better path to higher earnings, especially with positions like Regional Sales Manager and Marketing Manager appearing later on. More recent grads, especially those in marketing or special roles like Account Manager, are likely seeing decent salaries, but the guys working customer service jobs or still juggling internships might still be earning more on the lower side. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, and while some are probably making good money, others are still grinding it out or figuring things out.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Relations (this is across all Public Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to DePaul University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Relations (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Relations graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
