Public Relations

You are connected and seek to build fulfilling relationships. Your visionary leadership consistently finds creative solutions to difficult problems. Writing, photography and design energize you, and you’re passionate about telling stories—one word, flash and click at a time. Northwestern’s versatile public relations major will teach you to create and engage media with ambition and integrity. What’s more, the strong communication skills you’ll gain will be valuable assets no matter where your career takes you.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Why NWC?

Our public relations program explores a wide variety of media sources and provides opportunities for students to collaborate with businesses, nonprofits and individuals on strategic communications initiatives. Its distinctive focus on communication allows budding PR professionals to enhance their writing and speaking skills, experiment with graphic design, and think broadly about how the media can best serve consumers.

Topics of study include media writing, organizational communication, advertising campaigns and graphic design. Related minors include public relations, arts administration, journalism, multimedia, entrepreneurship and project management.

CONTACT

Dr. Kali Jo Wacker ’16Department Chair

100% PLACEMENT 100% of public relations majors find a job or enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation.

PUBLISH IN PRINT The Beacon newspaper gives students real-world journalism experience.

PASSION PROJECTS Class projects are centered around student passions and often allow you to choose the organizations you serve.

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS The entrepreneurship minor gives students fundamental tools for running their own business.

Outcomes

Public relations is one of the United States’ faster growing industries, with employment rates expected to rise 11% before 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Join our standout alumni at employers and graduate schools such as:

Blank Park Zoo

Des Moines, IA

Boston University

Boston, MA

Edelman

Washington, D.C.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle, WA

Special Olympics

Minneapolis, MN

#RaidersStandOut

Hannah

With a love for the writing and creative sides of marketing, Hannah is pursuing a degree in public relations for its variety of career opportunities.

Anna

Anna puts her marketing and public relations skills to work at an ethically sourced children’s clothing company.

Experience

Hands-on learning

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Center for Innovation & Leadership

Business Club

Off-campus study

Bachelor’s + beyond

Public relations majors spend at least two semesters working for Crosswalk Media, a student-led group that partners with area businesses and nonprofits to meet their communication needs. Students have developed advertising, public relations campaigns and social media content for places like Sheldon Christian School, Orange City Public Library, Tulip Town Bulb Company, and Hands Around the World (a retailer of arts and crafts from developing countries).