First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from University of Central Florida 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? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Public Relations graduates from University of Central Florida have a higher likelihood (+8%) 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 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:
Relevance score: 81%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdvertising and Public Relations InternDowntown South May 2012 - Aug 2012 Marketing Intern Technomedia Solutions, LLC May 2012 - Aug 2012 Account Executive TCreative Jul 2013 - Oct 2016 Account Executive Push Oct 2016 - Present Lead Project & Production Manager Evolve Media Agency 2018 - Present ABOUTI'm a very passionate and engaged person when it comes to work and play. I absolutely love helping people and businesses achieve their goals! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job types that graduates with a Public Relations degree from the University of Central Florida have taken on over the years, it's clear that many of them stepped into roles that genuinely tap into their PR skills. A good number of alumni found positions as Account Executives, Social Media Specialists, or Communications Specialists. These roles directly involve managing communications, engaging with audiences, or crafting messages—all things that are central to what you'd learn in a PR program. For instance, roles like the Digital Marketing Specialist or the Public Relations Specialist showcase a clear connection between their education and their work responsibilities.
However, there are quite a few roles that don't align as closely with Public Relations. Positions such as Financial Representatives, Digital Marketing specialists focused on analytics, and even those in retail management seem to utilize only a fraction of the PR toolkit, mainly focusing more on sales or direct customer interactions rather than communication strategies. So, while many graduates landed relevant jobs that fully utilize their degree, there's also a sizable number whose roles drift away from the core aspects of Public Relations, indicating a mixed bag in terms of how directly applicable their education has been in the workforce. In short, it seems like if you major in Public Relations, you'll definitely find opportunities to use those skills, but you might end up in a job that’s somewhat related or even tangentially connected to PR concepts.
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 Central Florida):
When looking at the career trajectories of folks who graduated with a Public Relations degree from the University of Central Florida, it seems that many kick off their careers with internships or entry-level positions related to marketing and communications. For instance, a lot of graduates have started out as interns in marketing or public relations at various companies. Over the first few years, many have landed roles such as Social Media Specialists, Account Executives, or Communications Specialists, which are pretty standard paths in the PR field. This indicates that the degree does open up doors and provides relevant experience right off the bat.
As time goes on—around five years post-graduation—many of these professionals seem to climb the ladder to more senior roles like Senior Marketing Associates, Managers in Strategic Marketing, or even Directors in specific fields such as Influencer Relations. A few have even started their own companies or taken on significant leadership roles. However, it’s worth noting that not everyone stays strictly within the PR sphere. Some graduates have found themselves veering into broader marketing roles or entirely different industries. Overall, while many graduates appear to have established solid careers related to Public Relations, there’s also a fair number who end up diversifying their career paths over time, which could either be a good or a bad thing depending on what they want to achieve.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at the University of Central Florida, or really anywhere, tends to be on the moderately challenging side, but it’s definitely manageable if you’re into it. You'll dive into a mix of writing, communication strategies, media relations, and sometimes even a bit of marketing. There's a decent amount of group projects and presentations, so if you’re good at collaborating, that helps. The workload can feel a bit heavy during peak times, especially around exams or project deadlines, but if you stay organized and passionate about the subject, you’ll likely find it pretty rewarding and not too overwhelming!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.
So, looking at these UCF grads, it seems like they've generally found their way into some solid jobs, which is a good sign for their earning potential. The ones who graduated earlier, like in 2012 and 2014, have moved up in their careers, landing roles like Account Executive and Senior Manager, which usually come with better pay. The 2016 and 2017 grads are also climbing the ladder in digital marketing and PR roles, which can pay decently, especially with experience. The newer grads, like those from 2021 and 2023, are still starting out, but they’ve snagged some relevant internships and entry-level positions that can set them up for future success. Overall, while they might not all be raking in the big bucks just yet, their career paths suggest they're on track to make decent money as they gain more experience.
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 Central Florida). 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: