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OrganizationalCommunicationCareerPlan
NicolePaul
KentStateUniversity

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TableofContents
ExecutiveSummary.3
Introduction..............5
SelfResearch...............6
JobDescription................7
Benefits...............8
Salary..............8
Outlook...9
JobRequirements.9
Education9
Skills.10
CurrentSkills&Qualifications.10
ActionPlan.................11
Conclusion.13
References..14
Appendices...XX

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ExecutiveSummary
Introduction

Explorecareersthatmatchmygoals,skills,andambition
Todirectmyfuturecareerchoicesinaprofessionalandknowledgeablemanner

SelfResearch

Kentcareerservicesandcollegeadvisorsprovidedampleamountofinsighton
futurecareerpathsthatdovetailmypersonality.

JobDescription

Publicrelationsspecialistscreateandmaintainafavorablepublicimageforthe

organizationtheyrepresent
Manypeoplehavemisconceptionsastowhatpublicrelationsspecialistdo
Theaveragesalaryforentrylevelpositionsis$35,250to$60,500,andthemedian

salary$54,170.
Thecurrentjoboutlookislistedasexcellent

JobRequirements

Onthejobexperienceisparamounttoanyotherskill
Internshipsareextremelyimportant,andmakeyourrsumstandout
Bachelorsdegreearenotrequired,butintodayjobmarketimportant
Takingcollegecoursesincommunications,publicrelations,andcrisis
managementprovidegreatpreparationforthecareer

CurrentSkills&Qualifications

Iamorganizedanddetailoriented
Ienjoyworkingonteams
Ihaveexcellentverbalcommunicationskills

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Ihavetakencourseincommunicationstudies,journalismandmass

communication,andvisualcommunicationdesign
Ihaveworkmultipleinternships,andjoinedprofessionalclubatKentState

University
ActionPlan

ItisimportantthatIamabletoshowmypersonalitythroughmywork
IwillbeinterningatAKHIAinHudsonasachangeagentduringFallof2015
IwillcontinuetonetworkwithlocalprofessionalsthatImeetattheannual
YouTooconference,PublicRelationsStudentSocietyofAmerica,andPublic

RelationsSocietyofAmerica
ApplytoopenpositionsthatinterestmearoundtheUnitedStates,andbewilling
torelocateifthecorrectopportunitypresenceitself

Conclusion

Iamnotpositiveonewhatmyfirstjoboutofcollegewillbe,butIhavegathered
anampleamountofinformationinthiscareerreporttohelpguidemetoa

positionthatfitsmyskillsandpersonality
Ihopethiscareerplanwillhelpothersdetermineifacareerinpublicrelationsis
rightforthem.Thiscareerisfastpacedandchallengingbutisexcitingandallows
youtohelporganizationsflourish

Introduction
This career report will demonstrate the career path that best fits my personal
goals,interest,andambition.ThecareerthatIammostinterestedinpursuingisacareer
inpublicrelationsasapublicrelationsspecialist.Thiscareerreportwillexplainthe

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requirementsfortheposition.MycareerplanwillgointodetailontowhyIaminterested
ingoingintothiscareerfield,aswellastheskillsandqualificationsIhaveinorderto
succeedinthiscareer.Thiscareerreportwillserveasaroadmapinmyfuturecareer
decisions.
Growing up I was really interesting in the wellbeing of others, and always
thoughtthatIwasgoingtogrowupandbecomeadoctor.Aftertwosemestersincollege
Irealizedthatbecomingadoctorwasnottherightchoiceforme.Ididnotresearchthe
major, skills, internships, and other qualifications needed when I choose to go into
biologywithapremedicalconcentration,butonlythoughtofthedollarsignsthatwould
beinmypaycheck.IstartedtofeeldefeatedbecauseIdidnotknowwhatIwantedtodo
withmyfuture,soIturnedtoKentStateUniversitycareerservices,andmyadvisor.
BetweenbothservicesofferedthroughthecollegeIwasabletofigureoutthatIwas
bettersuitedgettingadegreeincommunicationstudies,andaminorinpublicrelations.I
chooseappliedcommunicationsbecauseitofferedcourses incommunicationstudies,
journalism,masscommunicationandvisualcommunicationdesign.Takingclassesin
threedifferentschoolsoncampusallowedmeflexibilityinchoosingacareer,butgave
metheopportunitytodiscoverthreedifferentfieldsofstudy,andhelpmefindaminor
thatistailoredtomycareergoals.BetweenmymajorandminorIhaveimprovedmy
writing,presentation,andresearchskillsthatareimpetrativetomyfuturecareer.
Apublicrelationsspecialistworktobuildlastingrelationshipswithclientsto
accomplishgoalsinorderforacompanytogrow.Personally,theaspectthatgravitated
metothecareerwastheideaofhelpingpeopleandorganizationsflourish.Ilovetheidea

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of researching organizations problems, finding key audiences that influence the

consumer,andfindingsolutionstohelptheorganizationfixtheproblem.Inthiscareer
reportImentionthebenefits,salary,jobrequirementsandskillsneededtothriveinthis
career,andalsohighlighttheskillsIcanbringtothiscareer.Thefinalsectionofmy
reportlistthegoalsIhavesetformyselfinordertoachievemycareergoalsinthefuture.
Mycareerreportshouldinterestpeoplewhowanttoworkinafastpaced,goal
orientatedenvironment,wherethetrendsareconstantlychanging.Ibelievethiscareer
planwillactasaroadmapforpeoplewantingtoentertheworldofpublicrelations.

SelfResearch
Comingtocollegewithadifferentmajorandchangingaftermyfreshmanyearof
whatIthoughtwasmyplaninlifeterrifiedme.Iwascompletelylost,anddidnotknow
ifIwouldfindamajorthatdovetailedwithmygoalsandaspirationsforthefuture.After
meetingwithKentcareerservices,andtalkingtodifferentcollegeadvisorsIrealizedthat
communicationstudieswastheschoolIwantedtobeapartof.Theschoolof
communicationstudiesallowedmetodotheresearchIlovedinthebiologymajor,but
allowedmetodoitinawaythatwasuniqueanddifferentthananythingelseIdidbefore.
Meetingwithmyadvisorattheschoolofcommunicationstudiesallowedmeto
seeallthedifferentcareerpathsIwouldbeabletotakewitheachmajor,andwithmy
resultsonthepersonalitytestonMyPlan.comwebsiteofferedonFlashlinehelpme
narrowdownonmychoicesbecauseofmypersonalitytype,strengths,weaknesses,and
howIreacttocertainsituations.

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Theresultsonthepersonalitytest,andguidancefrommyadvisorbothdirected
metomediarelations,oracareerinsocialservices.Ithenrealizedthatmylovefor
researchandpeoplecouldgotogetherinawaythatIdidnotthinkwaspossible.By
choosingamajorthatwouldleadmedownthepathtoworkingwithpeopleand
organizations,whilestillbeingabletoresearchandproblemsolvewasexactlywhatI
waslookingfor.
WhileresearchingformycareerreportIjobshadowedamanatalocalpublic
relationsagencyinHudson.Throughmyjobshadowingexperience,Ilearnedmanynew
insightstothecareer,butwasalsoreassuredthatmychoicetogointothisprofessionwas
therightchoiceforme.IrealizedaftermyexperiencethatIwouldlovetoworkata
publicrelationsagencybecauseyouareabletoimmerseyourselfintomanydifferent
businessesandorganization.Thisappealedtomebecauseeachday,andeachclientisa
differentexperience,andyoureducationdoesnotendatthegraduationinthisfield.

JobDescription
Publicrelationsspecialistscreateandmaintainafavorablepublicimageforthe
organizationtheyrepresent(BLS,2014).Publicrelationsspecialistsworkwiththe
client,public,andthemediatohelpallsidesofasituationfeelasiftheyaregainingin
everysituation.Manypeoplethinkofpublicrelationsspecialistsascommunicators,or
mediaspecialist(McKay,n.d.).Publicrelationsspecialistsplaykeyrolesinbusinesses
becausetheytypicallyourtheemployeethatresearchestrends,issuesthatfacethe
company,andexpresstothemediahowtheyareworkingtofixtheissue.Manypeople
thinkthatpeoplewhoworkinpublicrelationsareshady,andliars,buthavingmoralsin

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thisjobisextremelyimportant.Lyingandnottellingthewholetruthinthisfieldcanland
acompanyinhotwater,sobeingabletohandlecrisis,andunfavorablemediaattentionis
paramounttoallskills.

Benefits
Thebenefitsofworkingasapublicrelationsspecialistareendless.Thefieldof
publicrelationsallowsyoutohelporganizationsgrow,planbeautifulevents,andbring
organizationsoutofcrisis.Ifyouaresomeonewhohasapassionforhelpingpeopleand
makingadirectimpactonanorganization,publicrelationsisthecareerforyou.
Publicrelationsisafastpacedworkenvironment.Workinginpublicrelationsis
extremelydemanding,andchallenging.Everydayoffersanewlearningexperience,
becausenotwodaysarethesameinthiscareer.Thiscareerwillinspireyoutothink
outsidetheboxandpushyourselftoplacesyoudidnotthinkwerepossible.Thefieldof
publicrelationsisconstantlychangingwithnewtrends,sobeingabletoadaptis
extremelyimportant.
Havingacareerinpublicrelationsrequiresaflexibleschedule.Extendedwork
hours,andtravelingareverycommonforajobinthislineofwork.Professionalsinthis
fieldseegrowthintheirpositionthelongertheyworkinthefield.Thebenefitspublic
relationsspecialistobtainmakethislineofworkextremelyrewarding,anddifferentthan
anyotherjobinthisfield.

Salary

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AccordingtoRagansPRDaily(2011)theaveragesalaryforaPublicRelations
Specialistwithlessthanoneyearofexperienceintheprofessionrangesfrom$35,250to
$60,500.ThemediansalaryforaPublicRelationsSpecialistis$54,170(BLS,2014).
PublicRelationsSpecialistwhoareinthetop10percentofthefieldaverage$101,030
(BLS,2014).

Outlook
EmploymentoutlookforaPublicRelationsSpecialistisexpectedtogrowasfast
astheaverageforalljobsthrough2022(BureauofLaborStatistics[BLS],2014).

JobRequirements
Acareerinpublicrelationsischallengingandrequiresastrongworkethic.Public
relations specialist are required to plan and direct public relations programs, create
companyliterature,trendspot,andplanandimplementcampaigns.Thejobrequiresyou
tobeversatilebecauseintheorganizationyouwearmorethanonehat.Experienceplays
acriticalroleinthisfield.Educationisimportant,butgettingyourhands dirty,and
havingampleamountofexperienceiswhatclientsandfutureemployersarelookingfor.

Educations
MostPublicRelationsSpecialistobtainatleastabachelorsdegree,butisnot
required.Studentswhoaregoingtocollegetopurseacareerinpublicrelationswork
multiple internships, volunteer, and join professional clubs specifically for the major
(LearnaboutPR,n.d.).Moststudentswhoworkinthepublicrelationsfieldreceive

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degreesinpublicrelations,journalism,communications,English,finance,orbusiness
(BLS,2014).

Skills
Havingabachelorsdegreeisnotrequiredtogainajobinpublicrelations,but
cansetyouapartfromotherjobapplicants(PublicRelationsCareers,n.d).Experienceis
themostimportantskillinpublicrelations.Gainingknowledgeandexperienceinthe
fieldisextremelyimportant,becausethisjobisnotblackandwhiteandtrendsarealways
changing.Communicationinthisfieldisparamountbecauseasthepublicrelations
specialistyoumustbeabletotalktoalldifferentwalksoflife,andbeabletoconvey
yourclientsmessageinawaythateveryonecanunderstand.Communicationisequally
asimportantwhenitcomestoplanningandimplementingcampaignswithinabusinessto
helpbringchangetothecompany.
Adaptabilityisessentialinacareerfieldwheretrendsarechanging,andthe
typicalworkdayrequiresyoutomultitaskatalltimes.Beingabletoadaptinany
situation,andprepareforbumpsintheroadcanhelpalleviateanymishapsthatcan
happenwhenworkinginafastpacedindustry.Beingabletoadapt,multitaskandstay
organizedandhaveasharpeyeareveryimportantinworkinginthisindustry.Inthis
industrynothinggoesunnoticedsobeingabletofindsmallissuesincompanyswork,
andbeingabletoexecuteachangebeforeitgainsattentionisextremelyhelpfulbeforeit
becomesmediaattention.

CurrentSkills&Qualifications

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BasedonmyprimaryandsecondaryresearchIhaveconcludedthatIwillmakea
fantasticpublicrelationsspecialist.Iamanextremelyoutgoingperson,andintheworld
ofpublicrelationsifyouevenhaveabonethatisshyyouwillnotmakeit.Havingan
outgoingpersonalityinthisfieldisimportantbecauseyouwillbedealingwithclients,
themedia,businesses,lawyersandotherprofessionals.Inacareerthatisbasedonmedia
perceptionandcompanyimageitisimportanttobeabletoeffectivelycommunicateyour
clientorcompanysviewpointsinawaythatotheraudienceswillunderstand.Ibelieve
thatIpossesgreatcommunicationskills,thatIhaveenhancedthroughcoursesIhave
takenatKentStateUniversity.Publicrelationsisextremelydetailoriented,andno
mistakegoeswithoutbeingnoticed.IbelievethatsinceIamanorganizedperson,andam
abletozeroinonlittledetailsIcanfindtheknotinanythread.
MyexperienceatKentStateUniversityhasexpandedmyskillsetthatIwillneed
inmyfuturecareer.Throughjobshadowing,internships,andvolunteerworkIhave
gottenmyhandsdirty,andemergedmyselfinthepublicrelationsculture,andbelieve
thatIhavetheeducationandexperiencethatmakemeacompetitivecompetitorwhen
applyingforjobs.

ActionPlan
Todeterminesuccessinmyfuture,Ionlyneedafewessentialstomakemefeel
likeIamaccomplishingwhatIamsupposetoaccomplish.ItisanecessitythatIworkfor
anagencythatallowstheemployeespersonalitysshinethroughtheirwork.Many
agenciesareveryblackandwhiteandturnaroundrateishighbecauseofworkburnout.
Workinginanagencywhereeveryonespersonalityisshownintheirwork,ithelpsbuild

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companymoral,andpeoplearemorepassionateabouttheirwork.Iwanttobeableto
growintheagency,andnotfeellikeIamstagnateatthelevelIstartedatwithnoroomto
grow.Iamagoalorientedpersonsobysettingshorttermandlongtermgoalsitcanhelp
leadmetohigherpositionsintheagency.Iwanttobeabletoworkonaccountprojects
withpeoplethatareasequallyasmotivatedasmyself.Publicrelationsrequiremany
differentpeopletopulltheirskillsetstogether,andworkonaccountprojectsinunison.
Workingwithotherhardworkingprofessionalswillmotivatemetowanttoworkharder
tohelpmyteamsucceedatthechallengeathand.
Havingagreatinternshipisimperativetojumpstartingacareerinpublic
relations.IplantocompleteaninternshipatAKHIAduringthefallof2015.Interningat
AKHIAwillbevaluableingainingfirsthandexperiencetodailyagencylife,andalsoon
arsum.Currently,workingatanagencyismyfirstcareerchoicebecauseofthe
versatilityitoffers.BytheendofmyinternshipIhopetohaveanincreasedsenseof
claritythatIhavemadethecorrectcareerchoice,andofferedapermanentpositionatthe
agency.InthecaseIamnotofferedapermanentpositionIplantoapplytomultiple
agencysaroundthecountry,thatsharethesamevisionIhaveforpublicrelationsandthe
employeesthatmakeupthecompanys.IamopentorelocatingbecauseIampassionate
aboutthiscareer,andinordertoadvanceinmycareerandachievegoalsIhavesetfor
myselfIneedtobeabletomakesacrifices.
DuringmyinternshipIplantonetworkthroughtheannualYouTooconference,
andthroughlocalPublicRelationsSocietyofAmericachapters.Networkinginpublic
relationsisextremelyimportant,sobygoingtoeducationalconferencesandmeeting

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peopleseriousabouttheirlineofwork,itcanhelpadvancemycareer.WhileatKent
StateUniversityIplantomaintainahighgradepointaverage,networkwithteachers,
volunteer,andbecomeamemberofKentschapterofPublicRelationsStudentSociety
ofAmerica.Baseduponmyresearch,andfirsthandexperienceIamconfidentthatcareer
inpublicrelationswillbeaperfectmatchforme.

Conclusion
Inconclusion,mycareerreporthasreassuredmethatacareerinpublicrelations
isthecorrectchoiceforme.Ibelievethatthiscareerplanwillhelpotherslearnwhata
careerinpublicrelationsentailsorjustexploringoptions.Thiscareerrequiresstrong
timemanagementskills,socialperceptiveness,criticalthinking,communicationskills,
andtheabilitytovieworganizationsinmultipledifferentviews.Thebestpersonfora
careerinpublicrelationsissomeonethatisgoalmotivatedandateamorientedworker.
Tobestprepareyouforacareerinpublicrelationsisbygettingoutintothefield
and doing internships. In public relations having a bachelors degree is extremely
important,butnothingcanteachyoumorethanemergingyourselfintothedailyculture
ofourfastpacedsociety.Thepublicrelationsfieldisgrowing,andmorebusinessesand
organizations are starting to see the importance. Public relations can take you many
different routes, with new positions being added to companies at a growing rate.
Applyingforinternshipsandvolunteeringatdifferentagencysandorganizationscan
helpyoudecidewhatrouteyouwanttotake.Planningforyourfuturecanhelpalleviate
stressandfrustrationdowntheroad.Researchingfuturecareers,andsettinggoalscan
helpleadyoutoyourdreamjob,andtoahappyfulfilledlife.

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References
LearnAboutPR.(n.d.).RetrievedApril25,2015,from
http://prssa.prsa.org/about/PR/
McKay,D.(n.d.).PublicRelationsSpecialistCareerInformation.
RetrievedApril27,2015,from
http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/occupations/p/public_relation.htm
PublicRelationsCareers,JobsandTrainingInformation
CareerOverview.com.(n.d.).RetrievedApril27,2015,from
http://www.careeroverview.com/publicrelationscareers.html
PublicRelationsSpecialist.(2014,January8).RetrievedApril25,2015,
fromhttp://www.bls.gov/ooh/mediaandcommunication/publicrelations
specialists.htm
PublicRelationsSpecialist.(2014,January8).RetrievedApril25,2015,
fromhttp://www.bls.gov/ooh/mediaandcommunication/publicrelations
specialists.htm#tab5
ThestartingsalaryforaPRspecialistis...(2011,October26).Retrieved
April25,2015,from
http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/The_starting_salary_for_a_PR_speci
alist_is__9861.aspx

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AppendixA
572SouthLincolnStreet
Kent,Ohio44240
February3,2015

Dr.RozellDuncan
KentStateUniversity
201TaylorHall
KentOhio44242
DearDr.Duncan:
ThecareerIwanttopursueaftergraduationfromKentStateUniversityisadegreein
CommunicationStudies,andaminorinPublicRelationsasapublicrelationsspecialist.
Apublicrelationsspecialistisinchargeofkeepingacompanysimagefavorableinthe
eyesofthepublic,andconductresearchtofigureoutstrategicwaystohelpthe
organizationgrow.ThesourcesIwillusetocompletemycareerplanaretheBureauof
LaborStatistics,PublicRelationsStudentSocietyofAmerica(PRSSA),andthe
ProfessionalGolfAssociationwebsites.
ThereasonIchosethiscareerwasbecauseitincorporatesjournalism,communication,
andresearch.WithacareerasapublicrelationsspecialistIwanttohelpplanand
implementactivitiesforfanstoparticipateinatProfessionalGolfAssociationevents

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16

aroundthecountry.InordertojumpstartacareerinthisfieldIwillneedtoreceivea
degreeinCommunicationStudies,andinternatmanydifferenteventsonthePGAtour.
Respectfullyyours,
NicoleA.Paul
NicolePaul,KentStateUniversitystudent

AppendixB

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