PR
Public relations (PR) professionals work within a wide range of settings. Some work in-house for a specific organisation, others work in PR agencies on behalf of a range of clients, lobbyists work in the field of government and politics.
Given the breadth of PR it is an attractive field to graduates, which can make entry competitive. Relevant qualifications can be useful but experience (paid or voluntary) is an important entry requirement. Also included in this section is science communication/promotion.
Where do I start?
Information and advice on public relations (PR) specifically for University of Edinburgh students and graduates.
Profiles
Follow the links below for profiles of common occupations in this sector:
Career contacts
We have links with professionals who have agreed to be consulted by students and recent graduates about working in public relations.
This is a unique opportunity to find out much more than you will from printed information, but please remember: these people have agreed to act as career contacts, not recruitment contacts.
The career contacts can only be viewed within the University of Edinburgh domain.
A day in the life of...
In our 'Day in the Life' series graduates write about the jobs they do.
- Director of corporate affairs
- Media and communications administration assistant
- PR account executive
- Day in the life of a promotion development executive
General PR resources
Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) - the leading professional body for the UK public relations industry. Their website contains an extensive section on careers in PR including how to find work experience and jobs and details of further study. In the regional groups you will find information about PR specific to these regions which includes details of vacancies. The PR directory is a really useful resource for identifying potential contacts/employers.
Public Relations Consultants Association - the trade association of PR consultancies in the UK. This website has a section devoted to undergraduates and graduates who are interested in public relations.
LG Communications - represents local authority public relations and communications teams across the United Kingdom.
Behind the Spin - an online magazine for PR students and early years professionals. In addition to the features and articles there is some useful careers content covering working in specific areas of PR, how to get your first job in PR and tips for you applications and interviews.
Public affairs (lobbying)
Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) - the representative and self-regulatory body for professional political consultants. The site has information explaining what political consultants do and has a list of members of the association.
PubAffairs - is a really useful website for anyone considering a career in public affairs. The site has a public affairs guide that tells you what the term 'public affairs' means, how to get into the industry and profiles of current practitioners. As well as also advertising vacancies there are surveys covering topics such as salary.
Electus Start - is aimed at helping graduates who are trying to get started in a career in public affairs and government relations. The website has vacancies, career information and case studies.
Public Affairs Links - this website has some useful information on careers in public affairs, details about lobbying and links to other useful resources.
British Politics Pages - as well as having useful information about politics in the UK, the site also has a list of some political consultants and lobbyists who can act on behalf of businesses and organisations.
Holyrood Communications - the site includes news by political category (eg education, environment, equality), online magazine, a political guide and news from Holyrood's committees. There is also a searchable database of jobs in policy, communication and public affairs.
Magazines with sources of vacancies:
Science communication/promotion
Association of British Science Writers - the website has some useful information about a career in science writing. The association also offers bursaries for science communication courses.
Biochemical Society - in addition to providing careers information about science communication, the society are also able to fund outreach events that communicate molecular biosciences to schools, colleges and universities.
British Science Association - is a charity which exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. The British Science Association offers opportunities to volunteer which will provide you with useful experience of science communication.
National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement - a useful website for anyone communicating scientific research to a wider audience. The website includes training information for science communication, details of people already working in this area and funding opportunities.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine Public Relations Association - an informal group that brings together people working in communication in scientific societies, research institutes and other non-commercial organisations in science, technology, engineering and medicine.
Wellcome Trust - have information for researchers about how to get involved with public engagement of biomedical science. The site also enables you to search for schemes that are happening in your area, which is useful for anyone (not just researchers) interested in working in science communication/promotion.
This article was published on May 30, 2012