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Public Affairs Consultant

Public relations professionals tell stories about organisations and people in the news. They shape what the public thinks and feels, and manage what happens if something goes wrong.

Public Affairs Consultant

40

Communications and Media

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY40
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST
78%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYC
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIEDA real score, but the moat is not yet classified. No claim either way.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

AI exposure is high for this work
AI exposure today for this job is high on our index (40), an estimate rather than a measurement. We have not yet classified what, if anything, structurally protects it, so we make no claim either way about a moat. Learn the tools, and build the judgement that stays human.

The role

As a public relations professional, you create and share messages that make people like and trust your organisation. You might write press releases about new products, pitch story ideas to journalists, set up interviews, run social media accounts, or arrange events like press conferences. Your job is to make sure your client or employer gets good coverage in newspapers, online and on TV.

You will spend time thinking up ideas for stories, writing clear copy, and building relationships with journalists who might want to write about your organisation. You also watch the news and social media to spot problems early - like if someone is saying something bad about your employer - and figure out how to respond. The job is fast-paced and sometimes stressful because you cannot always control what people say, and a crisis can change your whole day. But you get to be creative and work with interesting people.

Daily responsibilities

  • Develop and implement strategic communication plans to enhance brand visibility and reputation.
  • Craft compelling press releases, articles, and social media content that resonate with target audiences.
  • Manage relationships with journalists, influencers, and key stakeholders to secure media coverage.
  • Monitor media trends and public opinion to adapt strategies and respond to emerging issues.
  • Organize and coordinate events, press conferences, and promotional activities to maximize outreach.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of PR campaigns through analytics and reporting tools.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms.
  • Provide crisis communication support and develop strategies to mitigate negative publicity.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree not only provides a solid foundation in political science or related fields but also offers invaluable networking opportunities through prestigious institutions. Graduates from UK universities are often viewed favourably by employers for their understanding of the local political landscape and their ability to engage with diverse communities.