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

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Public Relations graduates from University of Alabama have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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 15% 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 University of Alabama and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University of Alabama with a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Coordinator of Physician Marketing & Communications
Children's of Alabama
Apr 2018 - Feb 2022
As the Coordinator of Physician Marketing & Communications, this position directly relies on public relations knowledge and skills to effectively communicate and market healthcare services.

PR & Marketing Specialist | Account Manager
Q Strategies
Jan 2022 - May 2022
The role of PR & Marketing Specialist | Account Manager at Q Strategies requires strategic communication and public relations expertise to manage client accounts and develop marketing strategies, aligning well with the Bachelor's degree.

Marketing Brand Manager
Erlanger Health System
May 2022 - Present
As a Marketing Brand Manager at Erlanger Health System, this position significantly utilizes public relations and marketing knowledge to enhance the healthcare brand's visibility and communication efforts, making it very relevant.

ABOUT

Major: Public Relations | Minors: Computing Tech & Applications / Communication Studies| Specialization: Technological & Digital Communication Management

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

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


When looking at the job paths of people who graduated with a Public Relations degree from the University of Alabama, there seems to be a mix of roles, but a good amount of them are definitely related to the field of public relations. Common positions include Account Executives, Communications Specialists, and various Internships that actively apply PR skills like client engagement, media relations, and effective communication. Roles such as Digital Communications Manager and Marketing Manager also show that graduates are leveraging their PR knowledge in broader marketing contexts, which is cool because it highlights the versatility of the degree in today's job market.

However, not all the jobs are directly tied to public relations. Some graduates have taken on roles like Administrative Assistants or positions focused more on marketing or administrative tasks, which don't heavily utilize the specialized skills from their PR education. It's fair to say that while many alumni found relevant opportunities that align with their studies, others ventured into areas that only partially tapped into their public relations skills. Overall, it looks like graduates are doing pretty well in finding roles that match their education, but there's still a significant number in jobs that stray from core PR functions.

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 University of Alabama):

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

Graduates of the Public Relations program at the University of Alabama seem to carve out some pretty interesting career paths, especially in the early years following graduation. For many, the first job post-graduation often involves entry-level roles such as account coordinators, marketing assistants, or copywriters. These positions typically lead to more advanced roles within a few years, with many moving up to account executive or manager positions at PR or marketing agencies. It appears that most individuals gain foundational experience in various marketing, communications, or public relations roles, which helps them build a strong career trajectory within the industry.

If we look at their career progression five to ten years down the road, it’s clear that many of these alumni have found rewarding roles relevant to their degrees. For instance, some have reached senior positions like "Director of Marketing" or "Global Corporate Communications Lead," indicating a strong trajectory within the field of public relations. However, not every graduate sticks strictly to PR-related roles; some have ventured into marketing, event management, or even HR, while others transitioned into entirely different fields. Overall, it seems that the program provides a solid foundational skill set that allows graduates to adapt and grow in the professional landscape, whether they continue in PR or branch out into other relevant domains. So, while some may not have landed directly within the PR sphere, most have navigated their careers towards success in related fields, which is a great sign!

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

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at the University of Alabama—like many PR programs—isn't super easy, but it's not the hardest out there either. You’ll find a mix of creative projects, writing assignments, and some group work, which can be pretty fun if you like collaborating with others. Sure, there’s some theory and a bit of research involved, but overall, if you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, you should be able to handle it. It’s a good balance of challenging and interesting, so if you’ve got a passion for communication and storytelling, you might actually enjoy it!

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 University of Alabama tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from the University of Alabama and their career paths, it seems like they've generally done pretty well for themselves in the job market. Most of them started out in entry-level positions or internships, which is totally normal, but many have climbed the ladder to roles like Account Executive or Marketing Manager, which usually come with decent salaries. The folks who stuck with it in public relations and marketing roles especially show a progression that suggests they’ve been able to increase their earnings over time. While exact salary numbers aren’t given, with these positions, they likely make a respectable income, especially the ones in leadership roles or corporate communications. Overall, it looks like they’re doing okay financially!

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 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