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

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from University of South Carolina 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? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Public Relations graduates from University of South Carolina have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
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 South Carolina and our analysis:


Relevance score: 60%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Marketing Assistant
McDonnell and Associates, P.A.
May 2016 - Oct 2017
As a Marketing Assistant, some skills from public relations may be applicable, but the core qualifications primarily focus on marketing rather than public relations.

Communications Manager
Exceed Real Estate School
Jun 2016 - Oct 2017
The role of Communications Manager directly aligns with the core qualifications of public relations and utilizes specific skills acquired during the degree.

Training
Papa John's International
Jan 2018 - Mar 2018
The training position at Papa John's International does not require skills or knowledge related to public relations and focuses on operational training.

Franchise Owner
Papa John's International
Apr 2018 - Dec 2019
As a Franchise Owner, the position emphasizes business management and operations rather than public relations skills or knowledge.

Marketing Associate
Manning Architects
Aug 2020 - Jun 2021
The Marketing Associate role relates to public relations to a degree, but primarily focuses on broader marketing practices rather than public relations specifically.

Social Media Coordinator
Rebel Unicorn
Jul 2019 - Sep 2023
The Social Media Coordinator position significantly utilizes skills from public relations, particularly in managing brand communication and engagement strategies.

Marketing Specialist
Real Land Title
Jun 2021 - Sep 2023
The Marketing Specialist role involves elements of communication and public relations, though it is more focused on marketing strategies than direct public relations work.

Business Development Specialist
Fleur De Lis Law & Title Company
Aug 2023 - Present
The Business Development Specialist role is mainly oriented towards business growth strategies and does not primarily focus on the core qualifications of public relations.

ABOUT

2015 University of South Carolina Alumna Public Relations Major

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

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


After looking through the different jobs held by graduates of the Public Relations program at the University of South Carolina, it seems like most of them have ended up in roles that involve some degree of communication and interaction. A good chunk of them are in event coordination, marketing, and social media roles where they're leveraging their skills in communication, strategic planning, and public perception. You’ve got positions like Special Events Coordinator, Communications Manager, and Social Media Specialist, all of which utilize the skills learned in their PR degree. However, there’s also a noticeable number of graduates who have gone off into fields that are only loosely related to public relations, like sales, administrative roles, or even starting their own businesses where PR skills aren't necessarily the main focus.

Overall, while many graduates found themselves in jobs that are closely tied to public relations—like working as communications specialists or in digital marketing—a significant number veered into areas that are more about sales, administration, or other sectors where PR skills play a minimal role. So, you could say that the relevance of their jobs to public relations varies widely. Some are right on track using their degree every day, while others might not be tapping into their PR training as much as you’d expect. It's a mixed bag, representing both the versatility of the skills learned and the diverse career paths taken by graduates.

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 South Carolina):

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

Graduates from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Relations seem to follow a pretty diverse range of career paths, especially in the early years after graduation. For most, their first job after graduation often revolves around internships that logically lead into roles in event coordination, digital marketing, or communications. Many alumni kick off their careers in roles like account manager, marketing assistant, or social media coordinator within various industries. This initial experience sets a foundation for them to develop their skills in PR-related tasks, which is fantastic given the nature of their degree.

As we look at their career trajectories five to ten years down the road, it’s clear that a good portion of these graduates are moving into more senior positions, like communications specialists, marketing directors, and even entrepreneurship with their own ventures. Some stay within the field of Public Relations or related areas such as marketing and communications, while others branch out into different roles. It’s a mixed bag, though—while many have found success and stability in careers that align with their studies, there are also instances of graduates veering off into positions that may not directly connect to Public Relations. Overall, however, it seems that many are carving out fulfilling careers in sectors relevant to their degree, which is a positive sign for prospective students considering the program.

How hard is a Public Relations degree from University of South Carolina?

A Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at the University of South Carolina, like many PR programs, can be a mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your strengths and interests. It’s definitely not the hardest degree out there, but it does require a good amount of commitment and creativity. You’ll be diving into things like writing, media strategies, and even some crisis management, which can be intense if you’re not super passionate about it. But if you enjoy communicating and thinking critically about how to shape messages, you might find it pretty engaging rather than overwhelming. Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty, but prepare to put in some effort and participate in projects that involve teamwork and real-world scenarios!

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 South Carolina tend to make good money?

From what I can see in the job history of these Public Relations grads from the University of South Carolina, it looks like they’re making some decent money, especially as they gain experience. Those who graduated back in 2010 are now holding positions like Chief Marketing Officer and business owners, which usually come with pretty good salaries. Even the more recent grads, like those from 2023, already have internships that could lead to well-paying jobs. While starting off might involve some lower-paying roles or internships, it seems like from their career paths, many of them are climbing the ladder into more promising financial situations. So, if you’re thinking about going into PR, it looks like there’s a solid chance you could end up doing well for yourself down the line!

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 South Carolina). 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