Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

1. Prepare or edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and stockholders' reports.

2. Respond to requests for information from the media or designate another appropriate spokesperson or information source.

3. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups.

4. Plan and direct development and communication of informational programs to maintain favorable public and stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments and agenda.

5. Confer with production and support personnel to produce or coordinate production of advertisements and promotions.

6. Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product and service awareness and to promote goodwill.

7. Study the objectives, promotional policies and needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products and services.

8. Confer with other managers to identify trends and key group interests and concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.

9. Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals.

10. Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public and with employees.

11. Prepare and deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Public Relations Specialists. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Public Relations Specialists, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$37,940 for entry level workers, and $74,120 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Very Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 22,820 Public Relations Specialists employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 26,080  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 330 job(s) each year, and a total of 170 job openings each year.

Public relations specialists - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Public Information Officers - Visit this link for information on this career in the military.

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products - Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products.

Market Research Analysts - Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product or service. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.

Advertising Sales Agents - Sell or solicit advertising, including graphic art, advertising space in publications, custom made signs, or TV and radio advertising time. May obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailer to use sales promotion display items.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products - Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products - Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

Demonstrators and Product Promoters - Demonstrate merchandise and answer questions for the purpose of creating public interest in buying the product. May sell demonstrated merchandise.

Real Estate Sales Agents - Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties, such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.