Public Relations - Corporate Communications COR

Holland Code: A (Artistic)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

General requirements

• This is a graduate certificate program meaning applicants need to have a college diploma or bachelor’s degree and/or work experience to enter the program.
• Applicants should have above average written and spoken English Language skills
• Intermediate  computer skills required (desktop publishing, social media, presentations)

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Self-confidence
• Creativity
• Initiative
• Enjoy working with a wide variety of people
• The ability to analyze problems and find practical solutions
• The ability to deal with ambiguity
• Sensitivity
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including good coaching, consultation and negotiation skills
• Strong time management skills
• The ability to deal with stress
• Able to set priorities

Useful background experience for this program would be

Work on a student newspaper, being a member of School Council, administrative work, event organization, or any work in customer service environments.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Corporate communications officer;  public relations officer; special events coordinator; in-house trainer; presentation specialist; researcher; report writer; web communicator; account manager; facilitator; communication specialist; digital media strategist.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Advertising and PR agencies; hospitals and health care; banking and insurance; the arts and media; small and large manufacturers; government; or the not-for-profit sector.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• May work on several projects at one time
• Can have irregular hours
• Travel may be involved
• Deadlines may require overtime

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Create and maintain public awareness of an organizations' policies and actions
• Foster good community relations
• Facilitate communications within the organization between employees and management
• Develop, implement and evaluate strategic communications programs
• Act as media and stakeholder contacts for their organizations
• Conduct research (for example, public opinion and attitude surveys) and communicate results
• Prepare speeches, news/media releases, brochures, audio-visuals, advertisements, reports, articles, newsletters and websites for defined audiences
• Identify the interests and concerns of key groups their organizations serve
• Co-ordinate special events and promotions for internal and external audiences
• Manage issues that relate to their organization
• Provide consultative services to management to facilitate communications with target groups.
• Respond to requests for information from the public
• Write news releases and pitch story ideas to the media
• Media tracking and issue tracking
• Plan events
• Maintain current distribution lists
• Work with web designers

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• May apply to become accredited by IABC
• Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development or education

• Students have the opportunity to go an an exchange to Belgium. See details on the website.

Last Modified: January 11, 2024