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

First, some facts. Of the Public Relations graduates from University of South Florida 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Public Relations graduates from University of South Florida have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 59%
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 10% 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 Florida and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from University of South Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Marketing Copywriter
Darna & Company LLC.
Aug 2022 - Mar 2023
As a Marketing Copywriter at Darna & Company LLC, the role directly utilizes skills in communication and public relations, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree in Public Relations.

ABOUT

As a recent graduate of the University of South Florida's Public Relations & Mass Communication program, I have developed a strong foundation in crafting persuasive, impactful content across diverse mediums. From social media posts to website copy, I excel at tailoring my writing style to resonate with target audiences and align with brand voices.With over 2 years of hands-on experience through internships and freelance projects, I have sharpened my ability to adapt seamlessly to new industries and effectively communicate brand narratives. I thrive in fast-paced environments where I can leverage my expertise to create compelling content that drives engagement and measurable outcomes.In addition to copywriting skills, I possess deep knowledge of SEO best practices to optimize online content. Through keyword research and on-page optimization, I enhance discoverability and drive organic traffic. I stay current on the latest trends and leverage analytics tools to inform data-driven optimizations.As a dedicated content creator, my focus is on delivering tangible business results through my work. If you are seeking an innovative marketer who balances creativity with technical optimization to maximize ROI, I am excited to connect. I am confident my specialized skillset can elevate your content and contribute to your organization's success.

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

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


When looking at jobs held by graduates with a Public Relations degree from the University of South Florida, it's clear that many have found roles that somewhat relate to their field. A significant number of these positions, especially those in communications, marketing coordination, and guest experience management, draw directly on skills acquired through their PR studies. For example, roles like Director of Communications, Marketing Coordinator, and Digital Marketing Admin showcase a strong connection to public relations as they require effective messaging, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication—all key components of PR. However, not every job is a perfect match. Many graduates ended up in roles such as administrative assistants or in food service management, which don’t leverage the core competencies of public relations.

In summary, while there are definitely some standout positions that align well with the public relations degree, there are also a number of graduates working in jobs that don’t utilize the specific skills they learned in school. It’s a mix of direct relevance and less related work, showing that while a Public Relations degree can lead to great opportunities, it's not always a straight path to a PR-centric role. Graduates might find themselves diversifying their career paths and picking up skills from other fields along the way.

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 Florida):

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

Based on the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of South Florida with a degree in Public Relations, it seems like they have a mixed bag of career trajectories. Many of them started off with internships and entry-level positions in marketing and communications right after graduation, which is pretty typical in this field. For instance, we see roles like Public Relations Associate, College Program Intern at Disney, and Marketing Coordinator, showing that they were quite proactive in finding relevant positions to kickstart their careers. This suggests that fresh graduates often aim for opportunities that are closely linked to PR and marketing, possibly to build a foundation in those skills early on.

As we look at where they've ended up five to ten years down the line, there’s a noticeable trend towards more specialized and higher roles within the marketing and communications sectors. Some have advanced to positions like Director of Communications or even Marketing Directors in significant companies. However, there are also cases where graduates have diversified into areas unrelated to PR, such as administrative and management roles in different industries. This might reflect a broader career shift or a need for job stability in more conventional roles. Overall, it appears that while many graduates are finding paths that align well with their PR education, there are also quite a few who have ventured outside the core field, indicating a mix of outcomes in their professional journeys.

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

Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, whether at the University of South Florida or elsewhere, is pretty manageable for most students. It often combines writing, communication, and strategic thinking, which can be a lot of fun if you enjoy connecting with people and being creative. The coursework isn’t typically super technical, like engineering or chemistry, but you’ll definitely need to stay organized and keep up with group projects and deadlines. Some may find it easier than the average degree since there's a heavy emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications, but like any college program, it can get challenging if you let things pile up or don’t engage with the material. Overall, if you're passionate about it and willing to put in the effort, it should be a rewarding experience!

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 Florida tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Public Relations graduates from the University of South Florida, it seems like they’ve had a pretty decent start on their career paths. The earlier positions, like internships and entry-level roles, are pretty standard; however, many of them have progressed into higher-level roles, especially those who’ve been able to stick with one company for a while, like the grads from 2012 and 2016 who moved into Director and Manager positions. Generally, it looks like they’ve landed good opportunities with companies that likely pay well, which is encouraging. Of course, there’s always a range in salaries based on location and job specifics, but overall, they seem to be doing alright financially!

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 Florida). 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