First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from University of Oklahoma 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Public Relations graduates from University of Oklahoma have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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 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:
Relevance score: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism in Public Relations. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCenter CoordinatorUSO of North Carolina, Inc. Apr 2012 - Dec 2014 Social Media Strategist Yo!Dog Marketing Jun 2015 - Apr 2017 Freelance Account Manager Freelance Work Oct 2015 - Aug 2017 Graphic Designer & Ad Rep Hugo Daily News Sep 2017 - Apr 2018 Public Relations Coordinator State Attorneys Office Sep 2018 - Apr 2019 Registered Nurse Ascension Mar 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGAssociate of Science - ASFlorida State College at Jacksonville 2019 - 2024 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job market for graduates with a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma, there’s definitely a mix of positions that align closely with public relations work and some that stray quite far from it. Common roles include Account Executive, Public Relations Specialist, and various positions at PR firms like Edelman and FleishmanHillard, which are directly tied to the skills taught in their degree. These jobs typically involve managing client relations, creating communication strategies, and handling media interactions, making them highly relevant to the education received. There’s also a noticeable presence of roles focused on social media strategy and digital communications, which are increasingly important in today’s PR landscape and demonstrate how graduates are leveraging their skills in new media environments.
On the flip side, there are several instances where graduates have taken on roles that don't really utilize their public relations training. For example, jobs in technical support, account management in fields like real estate or healthcare, and teaching positions often involve communication skills but don't require a deep understanding of public relations principles. Even in some roles like marketing coordinator or client services manager, while they might touch upon communication strategies, they are more focused on marketing or operational tasks rather than on the essence of PR. So, while graduates often find jobs that are relevant to their degree, there’s still a chunk of the workforce where their specific PR knowledge isn’t fully utilized, leading to a somewhat mixed bag of career paths.
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 Oklahoma):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Public Relations, it's clear that many have kicked off their careers in roles closely aligned with PR. A significant number of graduates started their journey as interns in PR or marketing agencies, suggesting that internships are a common first step after graduation. For instance, many began as account executives or media analysts, which indicates that they were able to transition into relevant positions fairly quickly. Fast forward five to ten years, and several alumni have climbed the ranks within PR firms, attaining roles like Account Supervisor and Managing Supervisor, or even moving into high-level positions such as Directors of Communications. This indicates a promising career progression for a good number of these graduates.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Some graduates pursued paths that strayed from traditional PR roles, ending up in fields like nursing, education, or even sales, which may suggest that not everyone found their calling in PR. For example, a few have transitioned into completely different industries or roles—like becoming registered nurses or elementary school teachers—indicating that while a degree in Public Relations provides a solid foundation, it's not the only route available after graduation. Overall, while many have found rewarding careers in PR and communication, there’s also a notable portion exploring other professional avenues, which might reflect personal interests or market demands outside the PR realm.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at the University of Oklahoma—or really anywhere—can be a mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your strengths and interests. The coursework usually involves a lot of writing, communication strategies, and understanding media relations, which can be tough if you don’t enjoy those subjects. However, if you’re good at being creative and connecting with people, it can feel a bit easier. Overall, you might find it somewhere around average in terms of difficulty. Like any degree, it requires commitment and effort, but it also offers a lot of cool projects and opportunities to develop useful skills. So, if you’re passionate about it, you’ll likely find it engaging rather than overly grueling!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.
Looking at the career paths of these University of Oklahoma Public Relations grads, it seems like some are doing pretty well for themselves, while others might be in the early stages of figuring things out. The graduates from 2010 and 2011 show a trend of moving up to solid roles with reputable companies, which usually pays well—especially in positions like managing supervisor and account executive, which typically bring in decent salaries. On the other hand, some grads, particularly those from more recent years, are still at entry-level or transitional roles that might not be as lucrative right off the bat, like teaching or assisting positions. Overall, if you land a good PR job and stick with it, there's definitely potential to make decent money—but it's clear that some pathways, especially in roles tied to larger firms or tech companies, can lead to more substantial earnings faster than others.
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 Oklahoma). 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: