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:
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: 60%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMarketing AssistantMcDonnell and Associates, P.A. May 2016 - Oct 2017 Communications Manager Exceed Real Estate School Jun 2016 - Oct 2017 Training Papa John's International Jan 2018 - Mar 2018 Franchise Owner Papa John's International Apr 2018 - Dec 2019 Marketing Associate Manning Architects Aug 2020 - Jun 2021 Social Media Coordinator Rebel Unicorn Jul 2019 - Sep 2023 Marketing Specialist Real Land Title Jun 2021 - Sep 2023 Business Development Specialist Fleur De Lis Law & Title Company Aug 2023 - Present ABOUT2015 University of South Carolina Alumna Public Relations Major |
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):
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.
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!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Relations.
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!
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:
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: