The Public Relations major prepares students for dynamic careers in strategic communication, media relations, and marketing. As organizations increasingly rely on effective communication to build trust and reputation, demand for PR professionals continues to grow, with job opportunities projected to increase 8% faster than the national average over the next decade.
Public relations professionals play a vital role in shaping how organizations engage with the public. From developing communication strategies and managing social media to coordinating events and handling media outreach, PR careers offer variety, creativity, and purpose. Graduates enter the field ready to make an impact, with median annual salaries of $62,000 for specialists and $118,000 for management-level professionals.
Students gain valuable, hands-on experience through PRush Creative, Adrian College’s student-run public relations agency. Offered as either a one-credit course or an extracurricular opportunity, PRush Creative provides pro bono services to local clients such as the City of Adrian’s First Friday events, the Adrian Downtown Development Authority, and WVAC 107.9 FM.
In addition to agency experience, public relations courses incorporate real-world learning simulations. In the introductory course, students learn to pitch stories and write press releases for a fictional company. In the advanced Campaign Management course, students plan and execute a full social media campaign across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and X (Twitter), earning a certificate of completion to showcase to employers.
Students are also encouraged to pursue internships for additional professional experience, supported by strong departmental connections with local organizations. Further development opportunities are available through Adrian College’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
To build specialized skill sets, students can tailor their studies with related courses in graphic design, journalism, and marketing- preparing them to excel across a wide range of communication and media industries.
