Career Zone
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Journalism and Public Relations (PR)

Journalism and Public Relations (PR) both play vital roles in how information is shaped and shared with the public, but from different perspectives. Journalism focuses on investigating, reporting, and presenting news and stories that inform and engage audiences across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. PR, on the other hand, is about managing communication between organisations and their audiences to build and maintain a positive public image.  

Career paths in journalism include roles such as reporter, editor, photojournalist or broadcast journalist, working for newspapers, magazines, TV stations, or digital media outlets. To learn more about careers in journalism, explore the Journalism Careers Guide from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). You can also find helpful job profiles on the Prospects website, including roles such as Newspaper journalist , Magazine journalist and Broadcast journalist. 

In PR, you might work as a communications officer, media relations specialist, or press officer - either in-house for a company or in a PR agency handling multiple clients. To learn more about careers in PR, explore the Public relations officer job profile on Prospects and browse the PR careers case studies provided by the CIPR. 

To hear firsthand from graduates working in these fields, watch the virtual alumni panel recordings:  Working in Journalism and Media and Working in Marketing, PR and Advertising. 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to thoroughly reviewing the person specification, job description and job advert for each role you’re interested in before applying. 

  • Adaptability: adjusting to changing media landscapes, audience behaviours, and digital tools.
  • Crisis Management: responding calmly and clearly to reputational risks, media scrutiny, or public criticism.
  • Digital and Social Media: using social platforms to share stories, monitor trends, and engage audiences in real time.
  • Ethics and Legal Awareness: understanding media law, privacy, and ethical standards in reporting and communications.
  • Interpersonal and rapport building: building relationships with journalists and media outlets to pitch stories, manage coverage, and respond to enquiries.
  • Multimedia Content Creation: producing supporting video, audio, or image content to enhance written stories or campaigns.
  • Research: investigating topics thoroughly, verifying sources, and ensuring information is accurate and reliable.
  • Strategic Communication: aligning messages with organisational goals, reputational aims, and audience expectations.
  • Time and Project Management: working to tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks or campaigns effectively.
  • Writing and Editing: producing clear, accurate, and engaging content including press releases, news articles, and feature stories. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

On campus opportunities  

Browse societies on the Exeter Students' Guild website (Exeter) or SUs' website (Cornwall).   

Getting involved with student societies is a great way to develop your experience and develop skills. For journalism, Get involved with the University’s TV (XTV), radio (XpressionFM), newspaper (Exeposé) and arts magazine (Razz); you can find further details of these for the Exeter campuses on the Students' Guild website. 

For the Penryn campus, look at The Falmouth Anchor (a newspaper written collaboratively by Falmouth and Exeter students) and Surf Radio.  

Internships and work experience 

While some employers do offer internships, there is no centralised website listing all opportunities. It's essential to visit individual employer websites, such as those of radio stations, production companies or PR agencies to check for current openings. You can also search online for directories to help compile a list of potential employers or look for local organisations in your area. Alternatively, consider creating your own opportunity by sending a speculative application to companies that align with your interests. 

For guidance on securing work experience in journalism, visit Getting graduate work experience in journalism. 

The Career Zone advertises paid internships through the Student Campus Partnership (SCP) and Student Business Partnership (SBP) schemes, offering roles at the University or with local employers in areas like marketing, research and data analytics. Search ‘SCP’ or ‘SBP’ on Handshake to view current vacancies and sign up for our weekly internship e-bulletin. 

Consider applying for the Pathways to Marketing programme. While it's not focused solely on PR and journalism, it offers tailored training and hands-on experience in marketing - skills that are highly relevant and transferable to a career in these sectors. 

Placements 

If you're interested in gaining work experience as part of your degree, consider a placement. To learn more, visit the Placements Hub  via your Exeter Single Sign-On. It covers everything from how to apply to opportunities abroad and guidance for international students.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers. 

For advice on how to find a job in this field visit How do I get a graduate job in journalism and writing for the web? 

Graduate Jobs 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.  

Graduate Schemes 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally.

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.    

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.   

Information and links from professional bodies  

Professional bodies support individuals in a specific industry, providing resources like training, certification and networking. While membership is optional, it can help you grow your network, develop professionally and stay up to date with industry trends.