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First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Illinois 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Public Relations graduates from Illinois State University have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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 0% 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: 83% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCougar Crew Intern Kane County Cougars Baseball May 2021 - Sep 2021 Substitute Teacher  Willowbrook High School Oct 2021 - May 2022 Digital Sales/Promotions Assistant  CUMULUS MEDIA Jan 2022 - Present Assistant Promotions Director, WSM-FM, WKDF-FM, WQQK-FM CUMULUS MEDIA Jun 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through all these job profiles from graduates of Illinois State University's Public Relations program, it's pretty clear that a lot of folks ended up in positions that don’t directly relate to the skills and knowledge they learned in their degree. Many graduates found jobs in sales and account management, which often involves some communication skills, but typically lacks the core public relations focus on media relations, public image, and community engagement. Positions like sales representative or account specialist might require good people skills, but the essence of public relations—like handling media inquiries, crafting press releases, or developing strategic communication plans—often isn't front and center in these roles.
However, it's not all bad news! There are definitely some graduates who landed roles that are much more aligned with their studies. For example, jobs in marketing coordination, digital marketing, and public relations firms allow these individuals to apply their PR training more effectively. Internships and roles like account executive or event coordinator showcase direct application of public relations skills—these positions involve crafting messages, managing client relationships, or organizing events, all of which are essential parts of public relations work. So, while there’s a significant number of PR grads working outside their field, there are also some who found great opportunities that let them use their skills in meaningful ways related to public 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 Illinois State University):
From examining the career paths of graduates from Illinois State University with degrees in Public Relations, it seems like a mix of outcomes is fairly common. Many of these graduates kick off their careers in entry-level roles that may not directly align with PR right out of school. For instance, we see a lot of positions in sales, marketing, and internships at marketing firms or PR agencies. This suggests that post-graduation, they often find themselves in related but sometimes tangential careers, perhaps while they build experience and explore what they like best. The first jobs seem to lean towards sales or marketing coordinator roles, indicating a strong entry into the corporate or service sectors.
Looking five to ten years down the line, a good number of these individuals appear to transition into more specialized or senior positions, especially within marketing and PR fields. For example, some who started as interns or entry-level associates have progressed to manager or director roles, showing that with some time and experience, they’ve managed to climb the ladder—especially at agencies like Weber Shandwick. However, there are others whose paths veer way off the PR track, taking on roles in sales or even in unrelated fields like education and logistics. This mix indicates that while there are definitely opportunities in PR and related sectors, some graduates may not be fully utilizing their degrees in their professional lives. Ultimately, it seems like those with a clear focus and experience in PR roles find rewarding careers, while others might be exploring different avenues entirely.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at Illinois State University is pretty manageable, especially if you have a knack for communication and enjoy working with people. It’s not one of those super tough majors that’ll keep you up studying all night; instead, you'll find a mix of writing assignments, projects, and some group work that helps you build skills in a fun way. Plus, the professors are usually pretty supportive and help make things engaging. Of course, like any degree, it requires some effort and dedication, but you’ll definitely find it more enjoyable than grueling if you’re interested in the field. So, if you're passionate about PR, you’ll probably get through it just fine!
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 the career paths of these Illinois State University PR graduates, it seems like some have landed pretty solid gigs while others are still working their way up. For instance, the grad from 2011 moved up to a Marketing Product Manager position, which typically pays decently, but their path involved a lot of sales roles first, which can be up-and-down in terms of income. Then you've got that grad from 2016 who climbed the ranks at Starcom, reaching an Associate Director level—definitely a role that likely brings in a good salary. On the flip side, some graduates, especially those who took longer to find stable roles or drifted into jobs like being a barista or school bus driver, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Overall, there seems to be a mix of success and struggle, with some definitely doing well while others have more flexible and possibly lower-paying jobs for now.
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 Illinois 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:
