How Do I Become a Public Relations Director?

If you want to become a public relations director, you typically need to have a college degree and quite a few years of experience in public relations. To get started in public relations (PR), it is usually best if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as communications or public relations. Once you have your degree, then you can look for work at a public relations firm or you might consider internship opportunities. You typically need several years of experience working in PR to become a public relations director, and you may also need a master’s degree.

A public relations director is someone who works at a PR firm and oversees various projects, usually directing a team working on PR for a client. Since this is a higher level position, you typically need to have a lot of experience working in PR to become a public relations director. You should begin by receiving a college degree. Most PR firms require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions; a degree in communications or public relations is quite common along with a minor in business or marketing.

Once you have a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, then you can begin working in PR to gain the experience you need to become a public relations director. You might look for internship opportunities while you are still in school or immediately following graduation, as these can give you some experience and contacts within the industry. It is often best to work in PR for a few years then go back to school to receive a master’s degree in communications or a related field to help you become a public relations director.

This higher level degree, with a total of about seven to ten years of professional experience, is often needed to become a public relations director. Once you receive a master’s degree, then you can continue getting any professional experience you feel you need. You should be aware of advancement opportunities at the PR firm you work at, though you may need to look for a position at a different company. It can also be advantageous to look for a PR firm that typically promotes from within while you are first looking for work, as this can make it easier for you to become a public relations director at a later time.