Chicago State University:
INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC RELATIONS? BY SYDNEY SHAW, SOPHOMORE, WHITNEY YOUNG MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL
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VER WONDER WHAT A CAREER IN PUBLIC RELATIONS IS LIKE?
“Public relations is the management function which evaluates public attitudes, identifies the policies and procedures of an individual or an organization with the public interest, and plans and executes a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance,” says Public Relations News. To gather more information on the subject, we followed the buzz at Chicago State University, only to discover the rising popularity of the career path. Someone interested in the PR concentration at CSU should look into their Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre, which includes courses in public relations (captures and disseminates news through the media), and marketing and advertising. “We started out with Public Relations I 12 years ago which offers PR theory, while Public Relations II is more field-specific,” says Professor Marilyn Olson of Chicago State University. “Our programs would help students in the industry because of the steps you go through in the programs which culminates in an internship experience. The field is hard to define because PR practitioners do so many things. There’s virtually no place you won’t be touched by PR.”
If you’re interested in public affairs, media events, press conferences and community relations, it’s no secret that you need to be skilled in public speaking. Due to the vastness of the career field, “It’s important to be extremely versatile to fulfill job opportunities,” adds Olson. “Jobs can range from being employed by a firm, like public relations managers, to being a celebrity publicist. Students that have graduated from Chicago State University’s PR program have landed jobs in many fields, such as agencies, major airlines, nursing homes and health administrations.” If the ever-growing field of public relations interests you, be sure to check out Chicago State University’s program in Public Relations in the Department of Communication, Media Arts & Theatre to get you started today! For more information on Chicago State University’s public relations programs, visit csu.edu/cas/artanddesignandCMAT/CMAT/index.htm or call 773-995 2280.
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 37