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First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Grand Valley State 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Public Relations graduates from Grand Valley State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) 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 7% 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: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProject Manager Skyline Exhibits West Michigan Apr 2014 - Jul 2019 Project Coordinator Dunn Solutions Group Jul 2019 - Mar 2020 Project Manager / Business Analyst Dunn Solutions Group Mar 2020 - Jul 2023 Sr. Project Manager / Business Analyst Dunn Solutions Group Jul 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 looking at the career paths of graduates from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Public Relations, a big chunk of them seem to end up in roles related to marketing, communications, and event management. Many positions, like Marketing Specialist or Communications Intern, utilize skills that are directly transferable from their studies, such as effective communication and campaign management. Some jobs, especially in sales or project management, do touch on similar skills but they don’t focus on public relations as their core function. For instance, positions like Sales Representative or Human Resources Coordinator might require some communication skills, yet they primarily revolve around sales or HR functions instead of public relations.
Overall, it seems that while many graduates find roles connected to public relations, not all of them are strictly within the field. A number of jobs like HR and various sales positions do let them apply some of the knowledge gained, but it's not the primary focus of their work. So, if you're considering a degree in Public Relations, it's great to see that there are paths that align closely with the field, but keep in mind that some may veer off into more general business or communication roles where the direct application of PR skills is less pronounced. So, think about what you enjoy as you weigh those options!
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 Grand Valley State University):
When you look at the career paths of graduates from Grand Valley State University who studied Public Relations, it’s pretty clear that they have a mix of outcomes. Many of the older alumni, especially from around 2010 to 2014, started in marketing or communications roles right after graduation. They climbed the ladder into positions like Marketing Specialist and even project management. For example, one alum graduated in 2013 and became a project manager after bouncing around roles that had a strong focus on project management and analysis. This trend shows that quite a few started off in decent PR-related positions, but it seems like as time went on, some changed direction, with many moving into sales or project management roles that are somewhat outside the core PR field.
Looking at the more recent graduates from 2018 onward, there’s certainly a strong lean towards marketing and social media roles. However, some have ended up in unrelated fields like yoga or logistics as well. By about 5 years out, it appears many graduates are still sticking around in marketing and communications but not always in positions explicitly tied to Public Relations. It’s good to see that alumni from the last decade can still find relevant work, but there’s a noticeable shift where some have drifted into roles that don’t directly align with their Public Relations degree. So, while there's hope for starting strong in the field, it’s a mixed bag for long-term careers that stay closely tied to Public Relations.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at Grand Valley State University, or honestly anywhere, can be pretty manageable if you stay organized and engaged. The coursework usually covers a lot of interesting stuff like communication theories, media relations, and writing for different formats, which might make it feel more fun than tough at times. While you’ll definitely have to put in some effort with projects and assignments, it generally tends to have a good balance of theory and practical work, so you’re not just stuck in a classroom all day. Overall, it’s not considered one of the hardest degrees out there, especially if you enjoy working with people and being creative!
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 Grand Valley State University grads, it seems like they’ve had a pretty decent mix of job opportunities across various roles in marketing, law, project management, and HR after they graduated. Some of the earlier grads, especially those who moved into management or specialized roles, likely earn good salaries now, especially since positions like "Account Executive" and "Sr. Project Manager" usually pay well. On the flip side, some recent grads are still starting out in internships or lower-level roles, which might not pay as much initially. Overall, while there are definitely some who are on the path to making decent money, others are still hustling to find their footing in the job market.
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 Grand Valley State 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:
