What do you do if you want to switch industries and pursue a career in Public Relations?

I have been in PR for the past 13 years and I switched three times. From journalism, to an agency to finally joining the corporate world. Though I have always been in a field closely related to communication, the transitions have never been as easy as it seems. First set career goals for yourself and before moving into a new industry or level, ask yourself if this matches your goals and purpose. Public relations and communication are increasingly evolving; sometimes you need to test the different sub fields to know which one will suit you best. For me, it’s media relations and content creation. Who knows, this might change as I continue to grow. And remember that every experience prepares you for the next one.

First know why you want to transition. Is PR something you are passionate about?, are you already doing something along the lines of PR and you want to get some level of knowledge or certification in it? These are some of the reasons that would propel you into wanting to transition. I believe having a good 'why' is a great motivation to get you going.

First you need to conduct a research to know what PR is and the skills required. Then you take an inventory of your existing skills and highlight the skills that are relevant to PR.

Research PR fundamentals and industry trends 📚🔍 Network with PR professionals for insights 🤝🌟 Gain relevant skills through courses or certifications 🎓🔍 Tailor resume to highlight transferable skills 📄🎯 Seek informational interviews with PR practitioners 📞🤝 Consider entry-level positions or internships for experience 💼🔄 Build a portfolio showcasing relevant projects or campaigns 📂🌟 Stay adaptable and open to learning in new industry 🔄📚

The basics to transitioning into Public Relations is to seek knowledge in Public Relations. There are a lot of beginner courses on Coursera and other online learning platforms. Start following individuals who are already practicing. This way you get to understand how they work if you are not professionally working in those lines careerwise.

Learning is your best friend when you want to transition into any profession. Pursue additional education to gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a PR career. Take a beginner course in PR to learn basis such as media relations, strategic communications, and many others

Building a network with key industry players is a strategy that cannot be overemphasized in PR. PR thrives on networking, and as a beginner, building a rapport with PR professionals is very important. Attend industry events, join PR groups, connect with professionals on LinkedIn. This can help you gain insights, access to job opportunities and more.

A great way to get better as a PR is to practice. If your career path is not in public relations, then it's good you volunteer with some organization in that capacity. This will help you build your skills and equip you for other opportunities when they present themselves.

If you've never worked in the PR space and want to enter the field, there are certain skillsets that you can demonstrate, that will (hopefully) translate to success in the field: - Tenacity - Creativity - Thinking quickly and keeping cool under pressure - Curiosity When I would hire people to work underneath me as PR practitioners, these skills were much more important than knowing which journalist works where, or accurately identifying which tv station is owned by which telecom conglomerate. Those things can easily be taught. Knowing the right approach to work, however, is often innate and much more valuable.

There is a science to the practice of Public Relations. So I believe that you will need to get some form of education or training in Public Relations. This education will provide you with the theoretical framework the explains why PR works the way it does. You may also want to join a professional association and get a mentor you can bounce ideas off.