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Public Relations Career Interview
Beth Bryant has worked in public relations for the past 16 years. She owns her own agency, BBWrites Strategic Communications, in Boston, Massachusetts, and she is the Boston Chapter Administrator for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Public Relations Career Path
Although Beth started out as a journalist, she quickly realized that public relations was the route for her.
“I had a strong background in writing,” she says. “I had been writing professionally since high school, and I worked for various newspapers and studied journalism in college. However, after working as a journalist for some time, I felt like a change, so I tried public relations.”
“That’s a natural progression for journalists,” Beth continues. “They have to deal with a lot of media relations people, and it requires the same kind of writing skills. Writing is one of my strengths, but I also like working with people.”
Public Relations Experiences
Beth earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Her specialization was in journalism, but after several years working as a journalist, she decided that she wanted to pursue public relations.
Beth then attended Suffolk University in Boston, where she earned her Master of Arts in communications with a specialization in public relations and marketing.
After graduating, Beth worked in public relations at a number of different agencies, mostly working with technology- and high-tech-related clients. In 2001, she started her own public relations agency called BBWrites Strategic Communications.
Public Relations Degree Programs
“It is a good idea to have a Bachelor of Arts in any of the social sciences, such as communications,” Beth advises. “It’s also important to find a communication internship, such as working as a public relations intern.”
Any public relations professional must also focus on writing in their educational pursuit since writing is so critical in public relations.
Public Relations Job Description
Beth is the principal of public relations at the BBWrites Strategic Communications agency in Boston, Massachusetts. She is an APR accredited public relations professional, which means that she went through additional education and tests to know all of the ins and outs of the field.
Beth is also the Boston Chapter Administrator for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Public Relations Daily Routine
“There’s no such thing as a normal day,” says Beth. “I can be writing a press release for a client one day, making calls to the media the next, and getting quotes for press releases the next. Usually, my work involves a lot of writing.”
Public Relations: Steps to Success
Any person interested in working in public relations needs to read, write, talk, and repeat.
“A big part of being a PR person is getting on the phone with the media,” Beth explains. “You need to be assertive to go after opportunities for media coverage. You have to be a go-getter and a people person. And of course, you need good writing skills.”
Public Relations Job Opportunities
Due to the prevalent competition and tough economic times, the opportunities for fledgling public relations professionals are highly competitive. However, with the right opportunities and experiences, that all changes.
“Once you’ve proven yourself, the doors will open,” says Beth. “But it is hard to start off.”
Public Relations Career Favorite Aspect
“Working with different people and different types of clients,” Beth explains. “Each day is different. There are always a lot of surprises and adrenaline. Clients need to announce that they have funding or have a new product, and everything changes.”
Public Relations Professional’s Future Ambitions
Beth hopes to grow her practice further and maybe get to a level where she doesn’t have to work as hard as she does now. She would also love to head a foundation that raises money for charities and non-profit organizations.
Advice for Prospective Public Relations Professionals
“If you have a passion for public relations, you have to get out there and introduce yourself, join the right groups and associations, make a good impression, and separate yourself from the pack,” Beth advises. “You have to be prepared to really pound the pavement.”
