What can you do with a Public Relations degree from Suffolk University?

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from Suffolk 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? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Public Relations graduates from Suffolk University have a lower likelihood (-6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 61%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 30% 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:

View a random Public Relations graduate from Suffolk University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 78%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
GBM6 (GrooveBoston/Mission Six)
Feb 2022 - May 2022
The internship at GBM6 does not utilize any specific skills or knowledge from a Public Relations degree, as it is likely focused on general tasks associated with an internship rather than PR-specific activities.

Senior Week Co-Chair
Suffolk University
Feb 2022 - May 2022
As Senior Week Co-Chair at Suffolk University, the role directly involves event coordination and communication strategies typical of public relations practice, making it highly relevant.

Wedding Assistant
The Groovy Wedding Co.
Aug 2022 - Apr 2023
Working as a Wedding Assistant may involve some aspects of communication and organizational skills relevant to public relations, but it does not substantially utilize PR core qualifications on a daily basis.

Marketing & Events Coordinator
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Feb 2023 - Present
The position of Marketing & Events Coordinator at Hyatt Hotels Corporation directly aligns with the knowledge and skills gained in a Public Relations program, focusing on promotional activities and stakeholder engagement crucial to the field.

ABOUT

Hello! I'm Maddie, a young professional and recent college graduate living in Austin, TX, with over 5 years of experience in Public Relations & Event Planning.Throughout my career, I've immersed myself in various facets of the industry, working and volunteering in higher education, conferences, hotels, restaurants, weddings, and nightlife. My passion, however, lies in concerts, music, and live entertainment. I'm an ambitious go-getter who knows how to get things done and thrives in creative endeavors.Skilled in event planning and execution, contract and price negotiation, organization, meeting planning, self-motivation, time management, relationship building, leadership, trend analysis, community building and engagement, decision making, and project management.Who am I?- A natural leader- Coffee lover- Marvel nerd- Cat mom- Media & entertainment enthusiast- Concert and live music aficionadoI'm passionate about the music industry and I feel incredibly lucky to live in a city with such a vibrant live events scene. Every day I am inspired to strive for a career where I can blend my love for concerts and live entertainment with my professional skills. Let's connect and create unforgettable experiences together!

What jobs can you get with a Public Relations degree from Suffolk University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From digging into the LinkedIn profiles of Suffolk University graduates with a degree in Public Relations, it looks like many have found themselves in a mix of roles. The most common jobs include administrative and marketing positions like Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, and various marketing roles, such as Account Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator. While some of these positions offer a glimpse into the communication side of things, most are more about general support or unrelated tasks, like managing schedules or taking care of front-office responsibilities. It seems like a fair number of graduates ended up in roles that don’t really leverage the specialized knowledge they gained from their PR studies.

On the flip side, there are definitely some standout positions connected closely to public relations, like Account Executives or Social Media Account Managers. These roles make use of core PR skills, such as media relations and communication strategies. So, while there are a few graduates who landed in highly relevant jobs, many seem to have veered into positions that don’t fully tap into their degree. The overall trend signals that while a degree in Public Relations opens doors, graduates often find themselves in various types of work that don't always align with their specialized training. It's a bit of a mixed bag, to say the least!

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 Suffolk University):

What kind of career trajectories do Public Relations graduates from Suffolk University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Suffolk University's Public Relations program, it seems like they often start off in some solid entry-level roles that are definitely relevant to public relations and communication. Many of these grads kick off their careers as interns or coordinators, primarily focused on PR, marketing, or related fields, which makes sense since these positions offer hands-on experience in the industry. Over the years, a good number of them seem to have transitioned up the career ladder into more senior positions—like account managers, talent relations managers, and even directors—while some have also ventured into different realms like human resources or marketing management. For instance, graduates who began as account coordinators or PR interns have moved on to managerial roles, suggesting that the foundational skills they gained at Suffolk helped them adapt and grow in their careers.

However, not every grad followed a straightforward path in PR. Some ventured into roles that stray far from Public Relations, such as sales or administrative positions, which might indicate a bit of a struggle breaking directly into the communications field right out of school. Over time, while a segment of graduates have found success in their chosen PR career paths, others seem to have pivoted into completely different sectors. For instance, some moved into fitness coaching or retail management, which might not draw directly on their PR education. Overall, while many have enjoyed successful careers relevant to the field, there are also noticeable deviations, showing that the journey can vary quite a bit from one grad to another.

How hard is a Public Relations degree from Suffolk University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations is typically considered to be on the more manageable side compared to some other majors. At Suffolk University, like many schools, you'll be diving into things like communication strategies, media ethics, and writing, which can be really engaging if you enjoy storytelling and connecting with people. There might be some tough projects and deadlines, especially when it comes to group work or crafting campaigns, but if you stay organized and put in the effort, it’s definitely doable. Plus, the classes can be pretty fun and interactive, which helps keep the stress levels down! Overall, it tends to balance out, and if you have a passion for PR, it should feel less like a grind.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.

Do Public Relations graduates from Suffolk University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Suffolk University Public Relations graduates, it seems like there's a mix of financial success. Some, like the individuals who moved into positions at top firms like Bain Capital and Hearst Magazines, likely started raking in decent salaries after a few years, especially in managerial roles. On the other hand, those who stuck to lower-level marketing or admin jobs for a while might not have made as much initially, especially with positions like administrative assistant or intern, which typically pay less. Overall, it looks like some of these grads have landed themselves in good spots financially over time, while others might still be working their way up. So, while there's potential for decent pay, it definitely varies depending on the specific career path taken.

What buzzwords do Public Relations graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Suffolk University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Public Relations?

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:

College Score Count
Boston University 85 11
University of Central Florida 75 13
University of Oregon 74 13
The University of Georgia 73 15
Georgia Southern University 73 10
California State University-Dominguez Hills 73 11
Iowa State University 70 10
Florida International University 69 20
University of Alabama 69 13
University of South Carolina 67 16
University of South Carolina-Columbia 67 13
Lee University 66 12
Grand Valley State University 63 14
Auburn University 63 16
Hofstra University 62 14
Texas Tech University 61 26
Kennesaw State University 61 16
Suffolk University 61 13
University of South Florida 59 10
The University of Alabama 57 19
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 57 14
Penn State University 56 33
The University of Texas at Austin 55 22
The University of Texas at Arlington 55 11
California State University, Fullerton 55 11
Texas State University 54 18
Rowan University 53 10
University of Florida 52 35
Ball State University 52 10
University of North Florida 52 12
DePaul University 51 20
Northern Kentucky University 51 10
Illinois State University 50 13
University of Oklahoma 50 16
West Virginia University 47 10