What can you do with a Public Relations degree from The University of Texas at Austin?

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from The University of Texas at Austin 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Public Relations graduates from The University of Texas at Austin have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 55%
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 18% 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 Texas at Austin and our analysis:


Relevance score: 82%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Associate, Digital Partnerships
Initiative
Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
The position of Associate, Digital Partnerships may involve some understanding of communication strategies relevant to public relations, but it is not directly focused on the core functions typically associated with a public relations role.

Negotiator, Digital Investment
Zenith
Dec 2022 - Oct 2023
As a Negotiator in Digital Investment, the job likely requires in-depth knowledge of communication and public relations strategies to effectively interact with clients and manage campaigns, making it highly relevant.

Senior Associate, Digital Investment
Wavemaker US
Oct 2023 - Present
The role of Senior Associate in Digital Investment directly involves advanced communication and negotiation skills that align with the core qualifications of a public relations degree, thus making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

I am a Senior Investment Associate at Wavemaker, where I manage budgets, optimize campaigns, and collaborate with ad vendors for Audible. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in August 2021. My core competencies include graphic design, Adobe Creative Suite, and media buying platforms.In my current role, I developed a team task structure, prepared and interpreted pacing documents, and participated in Publicis Groupe trainings. I also worked as an Associate, Digital Partnerships at Initiative, where I created and controlled budgets, monitored and reported on ad serving, and communicated with the creative agency for The Real Cost campaign. Additionally, I have experience as a graphic design intern for The University of Texas at Austin and Barbarian, where I created promotional collateral, strategized with communications teams, and worked remotely on projects with tight deadlines. I am motivated by learning new skills, delivering high-quality work, and contributing to the success of my team and clients. I bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, as a MAIP 2019 Fellow and a former Orientation Advisor at UT Austin.

What jobs can you get with a Public Relations degree from The University of Texas at Austin?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates with a Public Relations degree from The University of Texas at Austin, it seems like there’s a mix of relevant and unrelated positions. Some common roles that stand out include Account Managers, Public Relations Managers, and positions in communications, like Legislative Aides or Media Relations Managers. These jobs tend to require the communication, relationship management, and strategic planning skills that are integral to public relations, so it makes sense that many graduates ended up in these fields. However, a sizable portion of graduates found themselves in roles that don’t directly relate to public relations, such as in accounting, sales, or technical positions, which suggest they either shifted away from their original PR focus or landed jobs that were just easier to get at the time.

Overall, while some graduates have carved out solid careers in public relations or related fields, many ended up in other sectors that don’t directly involve the knowledge and skills they gained from their degree. It indicates that while a Public Relations degree can be wildly helpful in certain jobs, it doesn’t guarantee a path directly tied to PR for everyone. Career outcomes can really vary based on individual interests, opportunities, and sometimes the job market's demand at the time of graduation. It's important for current students to stay flexible and consider how their skills can apply to a wide range of roles, not just the ones that are directly labeled as public relations jobs.

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 Texas at Austin):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Texas at Austin's Public Relations program, it seems like their career paths can vary quite a bit, especially in the first few years after graduation. Many students start off in internships or entry-level positions that might not directly relate to public relations. For instance, some early jobs include roles like administrative assistants or even in completely different fields, like healthcare or finance. But as they gain experience, you start to see a clearer trend toward PR-related roles, especially after the first 5 years. By that time, many have moved into positions like PR managers or account executives, showing that they’ve found their footing in the communication sector.

Fast forward to the 5 to 10-year mark, and it becomes even clearer that a lot of these graduates find their niche within the realm of marketing, PR, and communications. You see individuals climbing the ladder to roles like senior consultants, directors, or even founders of their own agencies. While there are definitely some outliers who took less conventional paths or ended up in roles that might seem unrelated to PR, the majority of alumni appear to be successfully leveraging their degree in public relations. So overall, it looks like a decent investment if you’re into a career in communications, marketing, or media, though the early years can be a mixed bag.

How hard is a Public Relations degree from The University of Texas at Austin?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at The University of Texas at Austin can be a mixed bag, to be honest. On one hand, the coursework often combines creative elements with practical skills, like writing and strategic thinking, which can be fun if you enjoy that kind of stuff. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, like staying on top of projects, handling deadlines, and potentially dealing with group work that can sometimes be a hassle. Overall, it’s probably about average in difficulty compared to other degrees; it requires commitment and engagement, but if you’re passionate about the field, you’ll likely find it rewarding rather than overwhelming. Just be prepared to put in the effort!

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 Texas at Austin tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Public Relations graduates from The University of Texas at Austin, it seems like some have really carved out pretty solid careers that likely pay well, especially those who moved into positions at recognized companies like PepsiCo, Deloitte, and Capital One. For example, the graduate who started as a Sales District Leader at PepsiCo probably makes a decent salary now, and the one who moved up the ladder at Invesco Real Estate to become an Associate Director likely isn't doing too shabby either. On the flip side, some folks seem to have taken a more winding road or landed in entry-level positions that may not be as lucrative, like those starting in roles like a Blogger or in customer support. Overall, it looks like the degrees paid off for many, but not everyone seems to be making bank just yet.

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 Texas at Austin). 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