A public affairs specialist works on an organization’s marketing and public relations team. They control the public’s perception of an organization and oversee interactions between the public and the organization. If you love media and communications, you may be interested in a career in public affairs.
In this article, we discuss what a public affairs specialist is, what they do, how to become a public affairs specialist and some additional tips to help you with your career.
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What is a public affairs specialist?
A public affairs specialist works for an organization promoting its services and communicating with the public on its behalf. They work with media outlets to provide information surrounding their organization’s actions or initiatives to control the public perception.
In cases where an unflattering news story or crisis occurs, the public affairs specialist may find ways to reframe the story or put out other information to take the public’s focus away from the negative media attention. They can work on teams or as individuals to create media narratives that promote a specific message to the public about the organization’s reputation.
Related: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}Public Relations vs. Public Affairs Careers.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}
What does a public affairs specialist do?
Here are some of the duties of a public affairs specialist:
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Plan news stories: To control an organization’s media narrative, a public affairs specialist may plan news stories that highlight initiatives that make the organization look good in the public eye.
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Build networks: Public affairs specialists build relationships with media members to find out about breaking news concerning their organization and communicate stories they want the media to publish.
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Monitor public perception: Public perception can include social media engagement and stories in the media about the organization’s reputation. It’s the public affairs specialist to read any stories and online communication about the organization to determine the current state of the organization’s reputation.
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Create media plans: The public affairs specialist may create a media plan that details what stories they want to release and when to control the public narrative about their organization. Creating schedules and planning can help them anticipate stories that may appear in the media.
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Manage crises: When a crisis occurs within or outside of the organization, the public affairs specialist is in charge of developing a response that controls the narrative in the media.
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Partner with marketing: The marketing team may create a desired public image for the organization that appeals to the target market. The public affairs specialist is in charge of figuring out how to communicate that image using media.
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Create reports: The public affairs specialist may write reports and communicate with executive-level members of the organization to keep them updated on their progress.
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Draft press releases: Press releases are clear and concise communications. The public affairs specialist can issue to multiple media outlets that address a specific subject, like a crisis or new initiative.
Plan news stories: To control an organization’s media narrative, a public affairs specialist may plan news stories that highlight initiatives that make the organization look good in the public eye.
Plan news stories: To control an organization’s media narrative, a public affairs specialist may plan news stories that highlight initiatives that make the organization look good in the public eye.
Build networks: Public affairs specialists build relationships with media members to find out about breaking news concerning their organization and communicate stories they want the media to publish.
Build networks: Public affairs specialists build relationships with media members to find out about breaking news concerning their organization and communicate stories they want the media to publish.
Monitor public perception: Public perception can include social media engagement and stories in the media about the organization’s reputation. It’s the public affairs specialist to read any stories and online communication about the organization to determine the current state of the organization’s reputation.
Monitor public perception: Public perception can include social media engagement and stories in the media about the organization’s reputation. It’s the public affairs specialist to read any stories and online communication about the organization to determine the current state of the organization’s reputation.
Create media plans: The public affairs specialist may create a media plan that details what stories they want to release and when to control the public narrative about their organization. Creating schedules and planning can help them anticipate stories that may appear in the media.
Create media plans: The public affairs specialist may create a media plan that details what stories they want to release and when to control the public narrative about their organization. Creating schedules and planning can help them anticipate stories that may appear in the media.
Manage crises: When a crisis occurs within or outside of the organization, the public affairs specialist is in charge of developing a response that controls the narrative in the media.
Manage crises: When a crisis occurs within or outside of the organization, the public affairs specialist is in charge of developing a response that controls the narrative in the media.
Partner with marketing: The marketing team may create a desired public image for the organization that appeals to the target market. The public affairs specialist is in charge of figuring out how to communicate that image using media.
Partner with marketing: The marketing team may create a desired public image for the organization that appeals to the target market. The public affairs specialist is in charge of figuring out how to communicate that image using media.
Create reports: The public affairs specialist may write reports and communicate with executive-level members of the organization to keep them updated on their progress.
Create reports: The public affairs specialist may write reports and communicate with executive-level members of the organization to keep them updated on their progress.
Draft press releases: Press releases are clear and concise communications. The public affairs specialist can issue to multiple media outlets that address a specific subject, like a crisis or new initiative.
Draft press releases: Press releases are clear and concise communications. The public affairs specialist can issue to multiple media outlets that address a specific subject, like a crisis or new initiative.
Related: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}Public Affairs Resume: How-to Guide With Template and Example.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}
How to become a public affairs specialist
You can follow these steps to become a public affairs specialist:
1. Get your high school diploma
Getting your high school diploma is one of the first steps you can take towards a career in public affairs because it’s a necessary qualification for many advanced education opportunities. You can get a high school diploma or an equivalent certification, like a GED, to apply to universities and further your marketing and public relations education. You can also learn valuable skills in high schools, like time management, social skills, and the basics of social studies and language arts that can be useful in a career in marketing.
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2. Attend college
While in college, you can major in marketing or public relations to learn the necessary skills for your career in public affairs. Universities offer business programs where you can specialize in the field of business you want to work in, so when selecting a college to attend, look for schools that have highly rated marketing or public relations programs. While in college, you can also begin to connect with your professors and peers, which may be helpful later when applying for jobs.
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3. Get an internship
While in school, many students work internships either during the school year or in the summer when they have more free time. These internships can help you learn skills to prepare you for your career. They can also give you essential experience working in an office and observing a public affairs department’s daily duties and activities. Besides the valuable experience you can get working an internship, you can also make important connections. Many people work for companies they previously interned for once they graduate. You can also use mentors from internships as letters of recommendation.
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4. Apply for entry-level positions
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business, you can apply for entry-level public affairs positions in your area. When looking for jobs in public affairs, consider reaching out to your network to see if anyone knows of open positions that sound appropriate for your experience level and interests. Many people find jobs through a personal referral, and it can be a great way to impress hiring managers with your strong networking skills. You can also use online job boards to find open positions or reach out directly to companies you are interested in working with to inquire about open positions.
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5. Gain experience as a junior-level public affairs professional
Once you are working as a part of a public affairs department, you can begin observing your colleagues and team members who have the positions and responsibilities you are interested in gaining. You can ask questions and potentially find a mentor in your department who can help you reach important milestones and make intelligent career decisions. Gaining experience in an entry-level position can help you familiarize yourself with the jargon used in the office and help you build connections with members of the industry. You can also begin establishing a network of media contacts.
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6. Pay attention to open opportunities
Once you have the skill set and experience to work as a specialist, you can pay attention to changes in your organization or industry that may create new opportunities. You can also inquire about open positions at other organizations using your network. You can instruct your friends and colleagues to recommend you for open positions they hear about so that hiring managers are aware of your desire to progress in your career. When an opportunity presents itself, you can take advantage of it to become a specialist.
Read more: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}18 Reasons You Deserve To Be Promoted.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}
Additional tips to become a public affairs specialist
Here are some additional tips you can follow to become a public affairs specialist:
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Keep a list of contacts: Every contact you make can be potentially useful when crafting a media narrative, so keep an updated and thorough list of all your media connections.
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Monitor the industry: Keep up to date with changes in the industry so you’re aware of how your organization and its image appear within the broader context of the market.
- .css-1g5t2dl{font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;font-weight:inherit;color:#595959;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.5;color:#2d2d2d;margin-bottom:0;font-size:1rem;margin-top:1.5rem;}html[lang=ja] .css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.75;}@media screen and (min-width: 62em){.css-1g5t2dl{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:2.5rem;}}
Continue your education: As media and technology continue to change, so do the methods with which public affairs specialists interact with the public, so continuing education through classes and workshops can help you stay updated with current trends.
Keep a list of contacts: Every contact you make can be potentially useful when crafting a media narrative, so keep an updated and thorough list of all your media connections.
Keep a list of contacts: Every contact you make can be potentially useful when crafting a media narrative, so keep an updated and thorough list of all your media connections.
Monitor the industry: Keep up to date with changes in the industry so you’re aware of how your organization and its image appear within the broader context of the market.
Monitor the industry: Keep up to date with changes in the industry so you’re aware of how your organization and its image appear within the broader context of the market.
Continue your education: As media and technology continue to change, so do the methods with which public affairs specialists interact with the public, so continuing education through classes and workshops can help you stay updated with current trends.
Continue your education: As media and technology continue to change, so do the methods with which public affairs specialists interact with the public, so continuing education through classes and workshops can help you stay updated with current trends.