Public relations career outlook

Johnny Driska

Professor Adgemian

Communication 150: Public Relations Theories and Principles

23 April, 2025

Public relations career outlook

Part I: Job Descriptions

1. Public Relations Specialist

Organization: National Geographic Society

Working as a Public Relations Specialist at National Geographic involves developing and executing media strategies that promote the organization’s initiatives, including its media content and tourism. Responsibilities include drafting press releases, managing media campaigns, collaborating with journalists, and interviewing scientists from different fields.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field is required, with 2–3 years of experience in PR or media relations. Strong writing skills, a passion for environmental storytelling, and familiarity with digital media platforms are essential (National Geographic Society, 2024).

2. Communications Officer

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Developing strategic communication plans to assist WHO's health initiatives and emergency responses around the world is the main part of this role. Some of the responsibilities include managing press relations, planning media briefings, creating communication materials (such as speeches, reports, and social media content), and collaborating closely with specialists in global health.

Qualifications: Three to five years of relevant experience and a degree in communications, public health, or international relations are necessary. Cultural awareness, English (and ideally another UN language), and the ability to simplify complicated health information into messages that the general public can understand are essential (World Health Organization, 2024).

3. Production Assistant

Organization: Entertainment and sports Programming Network (ESPN)

Production assistants assist in developing sports news material for ESPN's digital platforms. Video logging, highlight reel editing, captioning, and live stream production support make up the responsibilities. Coordination with editors, producers, and on-air talent is necessary for this position.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in communication, media studies, or journalism. Candidates should exhibit a thorough understanding of sports, excellent video editing abilities, and familiarity with social media and programs like Adobe Premiere (ESPN Careers, 2024).

Part II: Reflective Analysis

The three public relations and media roles I selected—Public Relations Specialist at National Geographic, Communications Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), and Production Assistant at ESPN—represent a blend of my interests in storytelling, global communication, and media production (I’m obsessed with animals too). Writing press releases, handling media inquiries, and cultivating strong relationships with journalists would be the main communication tasks of a Public Relations Specialist at National Geographic. This position is centered on storytelling—taking complex topics like global science and conservation and turning them into easily understood, captivating stories for the general public. Building on my experience co-developing branding and marketing campaigns at Olistica and producing graphics/images at Future Makers, it fits with my passion in visual media and educational content.

The communication responsibilities of a WHO Communications Officer involves developing social media content, organizing media briefings, and producing public health messages. I also respect the WHO's goal of promoting health fairness, and I see value in using communications to combat false information and promote public health. With digital content, the Production Assistant role at ESPN is more dynamic and hands-on. Communication in this role involves working together with producers and editors to generate timely and accurate sports content. This collaborative setting appeals to me as someone who has worked behind the scenes with creative teams and at live events. Because of my passion for sports (specifically lacrosse), my background in event production at Visions Decor, and my knowledge with videography/photography, this position looks especially intriguing. Each of these roles requires a specialized set of skills. For National Geographic and WHO, strong writing, public speaking, and strategic communication planning are critical. In addition to my degree in Communications and Political Science, I can become more competitive by pursuing a master’s degree and gaining additional experience in digital storytelling or health communication.

Experience with video editing programs like Adobe Premiere and a solid understanding of media trends and sports culture are prerequisites for ESPN. I'm pleased with my current trajectory, given my past experience with DSLR cameras, contributing to the school newspaper, working on media projects, and creating branded visuals, but I would benefit from refining my editing and graphic design skills. I'm drawn to these positions because they combine creativity with purpose. My convictions about the importance of conservation and global health are reflected in the missions of National Geographic and WHO, while my passion in dynamic, real-time storytelling is reflected in ESPN. The dedication to protection by National Geographic, the global reach and impact of WHO, and the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere of ESPN are all examples of organizations with cultures that I value.

In order to get ready for these positions, I intend to keep gaining practical media and communications experience. I plan on pursuing a master's degree in media studies or global communication, taking more advanced courses in digital media and strategic communication, and looking for internships with media or nonprofit organizations. In addition, it will be crucial to develop a solid portfolio that consists of social media campaigns, cover letters, videos, and press releases. Another important step in breaking into these competitive industries will be networking through industry events, LinkedIn, handshake, and informational interviews with communications and public relations alumni from Santa Clara. The positions I looked at demonstrate the broad spectrum of public relations opportunities in today's culture, ranging from sports coverage to health advocacy to environmental stories. I'm excited about these roles because they provide opportunities for creativity, education, conservation, influence, and teamwork—qualities I look for in a career.