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The differences between alumni relations coordinators and media relations specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an alumni relations coordinator and a media relations specialist. Additionally, a media relations specialist has an average salary of $50,856, which is higher than the $44,215 average annual salary of an alumni relations coordinator.
The top three skills for an alumni relations coordinator include alumni relations, powerpoint and alumni events. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Alumni Relations Coordinator | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $44,215 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $21.26 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 33,389 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An alumni relations coordinator is in charge of spearheading and overseeing alumni activities and services. Their responsibilities include organizing events such as reunions and fundraisers, liaising with vendors and suppliers, arranging meetings, and handling calls and correspondence. They may also maintain documents, answer inquiries, disseminate information and invitations, create alumni programs and projects, and develop strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a coordinator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members while implementing the institution's policies and regulations.
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Alumni relations coordinators and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Alumni Relations Coordinator | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $44,215 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $64,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Finance |
There are a few differences between an alumni relations coordinator and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Alumni Relations Coordinator | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between alumni relations coordinators' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Alumni Relations Coordinator | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |