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The differences between government relations interns and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a government relations internship and a communications specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $34,678 average annual salary of a government relations internship.
The top three skills for a government relations internship include internship program, powerpoint and public policy. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Government Relations Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $34,678 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $16.67 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 58,470 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A government relations internship involves a trainee who assists the vice president of government relations in managing and analyzing policy issues. Government relations interns are required to compile and summarize material on emerging and existing public policy for staff members. They assist with external stakeholder engagement strategy and draft press releases on pertinent legislative and regulatory issues. Government relations interns must also attend congressional hearings and produce reports to corporations and trade associations covering wide a wide array of policy areas.
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Government relations interns and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Government Relations Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $34,678 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $50,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | The Motley Fool | |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a government relations internship and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Government Relations Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between government relations interns' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Government Relations Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |