The communication program at Northeastern prepares students for careers in broadcasting, journalism, politics, law, public service and education. The courses provide insight into public speaking and rhetoric, relational and organizational communication, and professional development. The communication program will prepare students
A message shared through new forms of media and old forms of face to face communication can change the world! It is vital to reach the right people with the right message. The communication degree does that. It prepares you to succeed in relationships. It helps you to deal with bosses, teachers, fellow workers, friends, and family members in tough situations.
Most degrees require communication classes. These classes help you to learn skills you will need in broadcasting, marketing, and sales. In addition, these classes provide skills for majors in journalism, politics, public service, performing arts, law, business, and teaching.
Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 25,800 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Organizations will continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations as a way to maintain and enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly because both good and bad news spread rapidly through the Internet. Consequently, public relations specialists will be needed to respond to news developments and maintain their organization’s reputation.
The use of social media also is expected to create opportunities for public relations specialists as they try to appeal to consumers and the general public in new ways. Public relations specialists will be needed to help their clients use social media effectively.
The median annual wage for public relations specialists was $67,440 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,630, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,450.
In May 2022, the median annual wages for public relations specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Advertising, public relations, and related services | $74,980 |
| Government | 73,860 |
| Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations | 73,290 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 62,740 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 60,050 |
Most public relations specialists work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
