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

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia 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? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Public Relations graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia 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 0% 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-Columbia and our analysis:


Relevance score: 59%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from University of South Carolina-Columbia with a Bachelors in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Front Desk/Office Assistant
Epworth Children's Home
Sep 2010 - Jun 2011
The role of Front Desk/Office Assistant at Epworth Children's Home does not require any public relations-specific skills or knowledge, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Public Relations.

Communications Coordinator
United Way of the Midlands
Jun 2011 - May 2013
As a Communications Coordinator at United Way of the Midlands, the job directly utilizes communication and public relations skills taught during the Bachelor's program, requiring specific expertise on a daily basis.

Communications Manager
United Way of the Midlands
May 2013 - Dec 2014
The position of Communications Manager at United Way of the Midlands necessitates extensive knowledge and skills in public relations and communication, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree.

Event Coordinator
University of South Carolina
Jan 2015 - Apr 2016
The role of Event Coordinator at the University of South Carolina may involve elements of communication and organizational skills related to public relations, but does not fully utilize the expertise directly from the degree.

Marketing Associate
Rhythmlink International, LLC
Apr 2016 - May 2018
The position of Marketing Associate at Rhythmlink International, LLC may engage with some aspects of communication, but primarily focuses on marketing strategies that are not solely rooted in public relations knowledge.

Marketing Manager and Strategist
Rhythmlink International, LLC
May 2018 - Present
As a Marketing Manager and Strategist at Rhythmlink International, LLC, this role may involve elements of communication relevant to public relations; however, it primarily emphasizes marketing strategy rather than core public relations principles.

ABOUT

Marketing Professional with a experience across multiple industries, including non-profits, higher education and the medical device industry. Skilled in Strategic Marketing, Online Branding, Event Management, and Media Relations. Strong marketing professional with a Bachelors focused in Public Relations from University of South Carolina-Columbia.

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

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


Based on the LinkedIn profiles analyzed, it seems that many graduates from the University of South Carolina-Columbia who majored in Public Relations have ventured into a variety of job roles, but not all of them directly relate to the core competencies of public relations. A number of individuals have taken positions such as Account Managers, Communications Coordinators, and Public Relations Managers, which align closely with the skills they developed during their studies. These roles often involve managing client relations, strategic communication, and media interaction, which are fundamental aspects of public relations.

However, there's also a noticeable trend of graduates finding work in positions that don't fully capitalize on their public relations expertise. Many have taken roles in marketing, event coordination, or even administrative support where the public relations skills aren't predominantly required. Jobs like Sales Assistants or Executive Assistants illustrate this divergence from their major. While some graduates are thriving in fields that heavily lean on public relations principles, others have drifted into unrelated professions where their degree provides only a marginal advantage. Overall, it's clear that while many are able to use their public relations skills effectively, a significant portion end up in roles where those skills are underutilized or irrelevant.

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-Columbia):

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

Graduates from the University of South Carolina-Columbia with a degree in Public Relations generally seem to have solid career trajectories that align well with their field. For many, their first job out of college tends to be an entry-level position such as an intern, communications coordinator, or account executive at various organizations, which is pretty standard for recent grads. They often leverage these initial roles to gather experience and make industry connections. For instance, several alumni spent their first year in internships before moving on to more substantial roles in PR or marketing, showcasing a typical step-up from starting positions.

Five to ten years after graduating, many of these individuals have advanced into more senior roles, like communications managers, public information officers, or even executive positions within their companies. It appears most graduates are able to build careers that are directly related to public relations, and many are thriving in marketing, communications, and managerial roles in their respective sectors. While a few have taken on unrelated jobs or have pivoted into different fields—like real estate or digital marketing—the majority seem to enjoy successful careers that reflect their academic background in public relations. Overall, it looks like earning a degree in Public Relations from South Carolina sets graduates on a path toward promising careers in the communications landscape. It’s a pretty good sign for anyone interested in the field!

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

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at the University of South Carolina-Columbia can be a mixed bag, but overall, it tends to be on the easier side compared to some other majors. The coursework usually focuses on building communication skills, understanding media, and learning how to craft messages, which can be pretty fun and engaging. Sure, there might be some writing and projects that can get challenging, especially if you’re not great at time management, but the atmosphere is generally supportive, and many students find the classes to be more interactive than strictly academic. So if you’re passionate about people and storytelling, you might find it to be more of an enjoyable experience than a grueling one!

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-Columbia tend to make good money?

Based on the career trajectories of Public Relations graduates from the University of South Carolina-Columbia, it looks like they’re generally doing pretty well for themselves, especially if we consider their positions and experience. Many of them have moved up the ladder into managerial roles or specialized positions that tend to pay decently. For instance, roles like "Account Manager" or "Public Information Officer" usually come with a solid salary. However, at the start, a lot of them had internships and entry-level positions that probably didn't pay much, which is pretty standard when you're starting out in PR. Overall, it seems like with a few years of experience, many of these grads are likely making a good living, definitely more than starting salaries in other fields. So yeah, it appears they’re on the right path to decent financial success!

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-Columbia). 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