Careers

Get paid to learn PR
In spring 2012 the Taylor Bennett Foundation is running its award-winning PR training programme in association with MHP Communications. This programme has been designed to address the lack of ethnic minorities in the PR industry. The deadline for applying to the next Taylor Bennett Foundation Programme is Monday 27 February 2012. Sign up for PR careers day
The PRCA is holding a careers day for students and graduates looking to work in PR. It’s at the Natural History Museum in London on Thursday 1 March 2012. Still sexy after all these years?
In five years since graduating, Katherine Shenton has won awards for her PR work and has experience of working in the public sector, for an agency and now freelance. Adele Roberts profiles a PR star. Foot in the door
How can you position yourself amongst crowds of graduates and secure a good starting position in PR? Joe Richards describes how to take the first steps on this journey. Intern campaign gains support
An industry campaign against unpaid internships is winning support from public relations consultancies. How to make it in PR
Mission Agency’s Justin McKeown gives his five top tips for making it in the PR industry. Some graduates earn less than average
Graduates earn almost twice as much as those educated to GCSE levels, but 20% of graduates earn less than average according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. Mentor scheme leads to appointment
A Cheltenham-based PR consultancy has recruited a permanent member of staff following experience of the CIPR mentoring scheme. Patience, passion and persistence
For any student approaching the end of university, finding a job is a daunting prospect. New PR graduate Ellie Stokes recounts her struggles and successes. The fear of face-to-face
Many students and young practitioners find networking with industry people extremely difficult and uncomfortable, writes Gabriela Balcerzak. The problem is, there are rules to be learned. Recruitment group to take 80 graduates
Adecco Group, the UK’s largest recruiter, has announced a graduate recruitment programme with up to 80 places available this year. Aberdeen hosts careers in communication event
Four university students have held an event promoting careers in public relations and communications to their classmates, at a jointly sponsored Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and Grampian Public Relations Group (GPRG) event in Aberdeen. Students and bosses call for employability focus
Students want universities to better explain employability skills and to provide more support to help them develop these important competencies, according to a CBI / National Union of Students survey published today. Still a case of men-and-motors
Female graduates are still shunning careers in the car industry, according to research from Autocar. Mind the career gap
The gap year used to be taken before university. Now people take travel gaps all all stages, even mid career. Laura Smith reports on travel trends. Students turn into teachers
Three students from Leeds Metropolitan University have been promoting public relations to school pupils. Mischief seeks graduate talent
Mischief has joined forces with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in a search for the newest member of its agency team. Graduate job hunt 2.0
It’s tough graduating in a recession, but Laura Smith finds some reasons to be hopeful. There are still jobs available, you just need to look in different places for them. Best place at the best time
A Hungarian associate professor, Márta Konczos, describes her time in the UK and tells students why this is a great time to train as a PR practitioner or academic. Whatever happened to the likely grads?
It’s tough for graduates to differentiate themselves in the scramble for career opportunities. Ben Smith of PRmoment.com tells how Sarah Murray made the breakthrough. Unpaid internships: no pay, no play?
A BBC documentary has sparked a fierce debate about unpaid internships in public relations. Hannah Corkish and Carys Samuel consider the lessons learned and offer their advice to fellow students. Last man standing
He’s seen the future of PR, and it’s female. Andrew Davies on what it’s like to be one of five men left in the final year of a PR degree course. Digital PR agency hiring programme executive
Digital PR firm 33 Digital is looking for new talent to join the team as programme executive. Lessons learned since uni
New PR consultant Katy Jameson reports on ten lessons learned since she graduated last summer. How to break into PR
This CIPR Yorkshire and Lincolnshire networking event for young practitioners will help you break into the competitive and exciting world of public relations. Digital team offers music PR placement
A social media consultancy for the music industry is offering a long-term internship suitable for a Leeds-based PR student. Bright ones seek to impress
Impress London was a one-day conference to connect employers with PR students and hopefuls. Carli Smith reports for Behind the Spin. Final year: a time to fear or a time to shine?
Final year students are understandably focused on their dissertations. But, as Natalie Smith explains, they should set their sights on graduate opportunities too. Students offered chance to impress
An event in London gives students the chance to meet, listen to and impress those in the PR business. CIPR creates forum for tomorrow’s leaders
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) today announced the creation of a Future Leaders Forum, drawing together some of the UK’s most inspiring and talented young PR practitioners (aged 30 years or under), representing all UK regions and nations. PR is reputation management, not events management
First year students are often confused about the distinction between Public Relations and Events Management. Katerina Hejralova has studied both subjects at university and describes the many similarities and differences between the disciplines. How to win from the start
Laura Crimmons reviews a career guide aimed at people leaving school, college or university. Starting a degree in PR? Read this first
Current PR students and recent graduates give their advice to this year’s new students on what really matters. Richard Bailey reports. Jobs and placement links
Useful links for those seeking jobs or internships in public relations. Government to cut comms jobs
The government’s Central Office of Information (COI) is to reduce its staff numbers by 40% resulting in the loss of 287 jobs. Tough times for class of 2010
The number of graduate vacancies has fallen by nearly 7% this year according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR). Twelve months on
One year ago, Jess Hall was a graduating student. Here she reflects on her year in a PR consultancy and offers advice to those who would follow in her footsteps. Not just PRty girls
Carli Smith responds to a recent Behind the Spin article by giving her take on ‘what is PR?’ Trick interview question: what is PR?
Successful graduate applicant Michael Higham describes the process of applying to work in a PR consultancy. From Bournemouth to Sandbanks
Bournemtouth Graduate Amy Wallett has joined Liz Lean PR in Sandbanks, Dorset. How to get started in PR
You may get a good degree, but will you secure a good graduate job? Hannah Stephenson reports on the challenges facing final year PR students. Wanted: Super intern with X factor
A competition is being held at London Metropolitan University on 17 May with the prize of an internship in a London PR consultancy. A planner’s guide to starting a PR career
Finding graduate opportunities is challenging in a recession. But a strong applicant and a growth business make a winning combination, as Katy Jameson recounts. A spoonful of sugar: health service communications
PR student Peter Finnegan contacted Tony Ellis, head of communications at Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, for this Behind the Spin interview. Bridging the digital skills gap
Despite the recession, there’s a shortage of talent in digital PR. Ben Cotton asks what graduates should know and do to meet this demand. Golden rules for getting work experience in a PR agency
Being accepted for PR work experience requires you to show good communication skills. Agency boss Steve McComish reveals what works for him. Personal Reputation Optimisation
A new book provides practical tips on personal PR online; Richard Bailey reviews it. My career: from uni to UN
Just a year on from graduating, Richard Millington is now Social Media/Online Community Manager at the United Nations in Geneva. He tells how he built is CV to secure this opportunity. Public Relations graduate schemes
Ben Cotton has compiled a list of PR consultancies running graduate schemes in 2010. Lava lights up career path for students
A partnership between a regional consultancy and a university aims to fast track PR graduates to successful careers without the long commute. Fast track scheme for EUrocrats announced
Minister for Europe, Baroness Kinnock, today announced the re-launch of the European Fast Stream and encouraged graduates to apply. PR survival training
She may have a public relations degree from Bournemouth, an advanced certificate in marketing and have 8 years’ experience in marketing and PR roles. But Natalie Brewer’s induction at Liz Lean PR posed a new set of challenges. ‘Chicago School’ leads the world in PR careers advice
There’s much valuable experience and free advice out there on blogs for those in the early stages of their PR careers. Richard Bailey recommends two, coincidentally both produced by Chicago-based PR consultants. Ben Matthews: All in a day’s work
Ben Matthews describes a busy day in the life of a PR consultant who chooses to do public relations voluntary work in his spare time. Cash prize and work experience for future motor industry star
A new award, aimed at finding the brightest talent to lead tomorrow’s motor industry, has been launched by Autocar, the UK’s leading motoring weekly, in partnership with Courland, the global automotive executive search company. How to start a PR consultancy business
It would take a brave individual to start a company straight out of university. But with a couple of years’ experience under your belt it’s realistic option. As PR entrepreneur and Speed managing director Stephen Waddington describes, there’s opportunity aplenty for new businesses in the PR and communications industry. So you wannabe a PR star?
Public relations remains a popular career choice, but many first year students have an unrealistic picture of what’s involved. Richard Bailey discusses what you should know about your chosen course and career. Hard Times or Great Expectations?
With the economy in reverse-thrust, Laura Smith asks what this means for the job prospects of PR graduates.