First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Iowa 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Public Relations graduates from Iowa State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) 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 10% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCorporate Communications AssociateMikeWorldWide Nov 2020 - Apr 2021 Account Coordinator, Corporate Communications MikeWorldWide Apr 2021 - Apr 2022 Account Executive, Corporate Communications MikeWorldWide Apr 2022 - Apr 2023 Senior Account Executive, Corporate Communications MikeWorldWide Apr 2023 - Apr 2024 Account Supervisor MikeWorldWide Apr 2024 - 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 those who graduated with a Public Relations degree from Iowa State University, it seems like they mostly end up in roles that involve communication, marketing, and client management. A good number of graduates work in positions such as Account Executives, Marketing Managers, and Communication Specialists. These jobs require skills that align closely with the principles of public relations, like crafting messages, engaging with the media, and managing relationships, which are all things PR majors learn about in their coursework.
However, not all jobs these graduates have taken are directly relevant to public relations. Some have ventured into roles like Support Specialists or Business Development Representatives, where the focus shifts more towards sales or administrative tasks than on strategic communication and media relations. While there's often some overlap in skills—like communication and organization—the connection to their public relations education isn't as strong in those cases. Overall, while many have successfully landed in roles that utilize their PR knowledge, there are also plenty of examples where their jobs diverge from the core aspects of what a Public Relations degree typically involves.
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 Iowa State University):
Looking at the career paths of Iowa State University graduates with a degree in Public Relations, it seems like many of them start their journeys with solid entry-level jobs that are fairly relevant to PR. Most of the grads from around 2015 to 2022 have kicked things off in roles like marketing coordinators, account managers, and various positions in communications. It's pretty cool to see that some have landed at well-known agencies like FleishmanHillard, where they’ve climbed the ladder to roles like Assistant Account Executive and beyond in what looks like a promising trajectory. This suggests that their studies at Iowa State prepared them well for the PR field, leading them into jobs that actually align with their degree.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years, and many grads still seem to be thriving in public relations and communications. For example, those who started at agencies have progressed to senior roles, proving that with some hard work and a few years of experience, it’s possible to make a name for themselves. However, not everyone has stayed in the strict PR realm; some have ventured into areas like sales or even started their own businesses. Overall, most graduates appear to have found careers that are at least adjacent to their field of study, which is encouraging. While there may be a few who took a more circuitous route, the trend seems to be that Iowa State Public Relations grads are doing well and staying relevant in the job market.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations at Iowa State University, or really anywhere, can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s definitely not the hardest degree out there, but it does require a good amount of effort, creativity, and strong communication skills. You’ll dive into topics like writing, media relations, and strategic communication, which can be fun but also challenging if you're not super into that stuff. Overall, if you stay organized, engage with your coursework, and pick up on the trends in the media, you should be able to handle it just fine. So, if you’re passionate about the subject, it shouldn’t feel overwhelmingly tough!
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 Public Relations grads from Iowa State University, it seems like most of them have been able to climb the career ladder pretty well since their early jobs. The ones working in marketing and communications have moved into roles like Account Manager and Senior Account Executive, which typically come with decent pay, particularly as they gain more experience. Some of them have been with the same company for several years, suggesting stability and possibly good salary increases over time. Others branched out into different areas, like an Athletic Equipment Manager, which might not pay as much, but still shows a commitment to growing in their fields. Overall, I'd say they're probably doing alright financially, especially if they're in those higher-level positions, but it could vary depending on the specific industries and roles each of them has chosen.
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 Iowa 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: