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

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:

Average score: 50%
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 University of Oklahoma and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated 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 GRADUATION
Center Coordinator
USO of North Carolina, Inc.
Apr 2012 - Dec 2014
The Center Coordinator position may require some administrative and communication skills relevant to public relations, but it does not directly utilize specific public relations knowledge on a daily basis.

Social Media Strategist
Yo!Dog Marketing
Jun 2015 - Apr 2017
As a Social Media Strategist, this role directly involves public relations skills, including crafting messages and managing a brand's online presence, which are core to the individuals education in journalism and public relations.

Freelance Account Manager
Freelance Work
Oct 2015 - Aug 2017
Freelance Account Manager may involve some tasks related to public relations, such as managing client communications, but it is more focused on account management than applying core public relations skills regularly.

Graphic Designer & Ad Rep
Hugo Daily News
Sep 2017 - Apr 2018
The Graphic Designer & Ad Rep position utilizes creativity and communication skills, but it is not directly focused on public relations, making its relevance more peripheral.

Public Relations Coordinator
State Attorneys Office
Sep 2018 - Apr 2019
As a Public Relations Coordinator, this job directly uses the skills and knowledge obtained from the Bachelor's program, focusing on communication strategies and public engagement, making it highly relevant.

Registered Nurse
Ascension
Mar 2022 - Present
The Registered Nurse position requires medical knowledge and skills that are unrelated to the field of journalism and public relations, making it completely irrelevant to the degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Associate of Science - AS
Florida State College at Jacksonville
2019 - 2024
ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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):

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

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.

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

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!

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 Oklahoma tend to make good money?

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.

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 Oklahoma). 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