What can you do with a Public Relations degree from The University of Alabama?

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from The University of Alabama 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Public Relations graduates from The University of Alabama have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 57%
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 31% 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 The University of Alabama and our analysis:


Relevance score: 66%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
PR and Marketing Consultant
Reboot Reforestation
May 2021 - Dec 2022
As a PR and Marketing Consultant, this job directly applies the specific skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations on a daily basis.

Coordinator of Student and Young Graduate Programs
The University of Alabama National Alumni Association
Jul 2021 - Jun 2023
While the role of Coordinator of Student and Young Graduate Programs likely involves some aspects of communication and event planning, it is not directly centered on public relations as a core qualification.

Assistant Director of Chapter Development
The University of Alabama National Alumni Association
Jun 2023 - Present
As an Assistant Director of Chapter Development, some skills related to public relations may be utilized, but the primary focus leans more towards organizational development and alumni relations rather than direct application of public relations expertise.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Arts
The University of Alabama
2022 - 2023
ABOUT

Young professional with a passion for storytelling, whether its through words or pictures. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in public relations. Im well-versed in AP style, content creation, brand management and social media strategy, among other skills. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a public relations professional.

What jobs can you get with a Public Relations degree from The University of Alabama?

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


When looking through the job histories of people who graduated with a Public Relations degree from The University of Alabama, it seems like a lot of them have ended up in roles that don’t directly relate to PR. Many grads are in administrative and management positions that focus more on organizational tasks, finance, or marketing, rather than the core public relations skills they learned in school. Jobs like Administrative Assistant, Cash Management Specialist, or even being a Professional Tennis Player are a bit of a stretch when it comes to directly applying public relations knowledge on a daily basis. It’s like they picked up some communication skills along the way but didn’t really dive into the nitty-gritty of what PR is all about. 

On the flip side, there are also quite a few examples where grads have landed super relevant roles in public relations. Positions like Public Relations Coordinator, Communications Director, and various internships at PR agencies really put them in the zone of using the skills they developed in their degree. These roles involved activities like managing communications, executing campaigns, and engaging with the public, which are right in line with the principles of public relations. So while there's a lot of diversity in their careers, it looks like a significant number are making a solid connection back to their PR roots!

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 The University of Alabama):

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

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Alabama who majored in Public Relations, it seems like a mixed bag. For many, the first jobs after graduation typically involve internships or entry-level positions related to PR or marketing, which is pretty typical for this field. For example, recent grads have started off as public relations interns or assistants, which makes sense since they’re just getting their feet wet in a competitive industry. Over the next few years, many of these individuals move up to more substantial roles like account coordinators or communications specialists, which shows a promising growth trend in their careers.

However, not all paths lead directly to PR-related positions. Some graduates have veered off into other fields, taking jobs that don't really align with their degree, such as retail management or non-PR administrative roles. Over a 5 to 10-year span, we can see some graduates thriving in the PR space, taking on director-level positions or even owning their own businesses, while others seem to settle into roles that may not utilize their PR skills as effectively. Overall, it looks like there’s a good mix of success stories and some less relevant career moves, suggesting that while many graduates are finding rewarding roles in PR, others are exploring different avenues that might not fully tap into their education in public relations.

How hard is a Public Relations degree from The University of Alabama?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at The University of Alabama, or really anywhere, is pretty manageable if you’re willing to put in the effort. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s definitely not the hardest either. You’ll be doing a lot of writing, which can be a bit of a slog if that’s not your strong suit, and you’ll also need to grasp some marketing and communication concepts. If you stay organized and keep up with your projects and assignments, you’ll likely find it to be a rewarding experience without being overwhelming. Just stay engaged, and you'll be good to go!

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 The University of Alabama tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these graduates from The University of Alabama, it seems like they’re mostly doing okay financially, but it really varies. Some, like the grad who's been a professional tennis player since 2013, likely pull in a pretty penny, while others have more classic, steady jobs without flashy salaries, like administrative roles or assistant positions. The folks in PR and marketing seem to be climbing the ladder, landing roles like communications directors and digital strategy directors, which generally come with better pay. But then you've got recent grads still starting out with internships and entry-level jobs, so it’s a mixed bag. Overall, while a few are likely doing really well, many seem to be on that typical trajectory of slowly making better money as they gain experience.

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 The University of Alabama). 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