Post job

Public relations internship vs publicist

The differences between public relations interns and publicists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a public relations internship and a publicist. Additionally, a publicist has an average salary of $50,679, which is higher than the $30,868 average annual salary of a public relations internship.

The top three skills for a public relations internship include press releases, facebook and twitter. The most important skills for a publicist are press releases, press materials, and public relations campaigns.

Public relations internship vs publicist overview

Public Relations InternshipPublicist
Yearly salary$30,868$50,679
Hourly rate$14.84$24.36
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs65,1637,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 86%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a public relations internship do?

A public relations intern is responsible for assisting the public relations department in creating content to engage customers and prospective clients in availing of the goods and services of the company. Public relations interns participate in meetings to suggest strategies and observe areas of improvement. They also perform administrative duties as needed, post social media updates, review press releases, and research market trends. A public relations intern must be detail-oriented and communicative to assist customers with their concerns and inquiries.

What does a publicist do?

Public Relations Supervisors are responsible for implementing the media and public relations strategy of an organization. Their duties include developing public relations campaigns, organize public relations events, assist in emergency response planning, updating documentation, monitoring media, improve management of press office, and manage media databases. They are responsible for assisting with journalistic content writing, refine internal processes, and track public relations activity performance. They help prepare reports as well as undertake competitor and market research.

Public relations internship vs publicist salary

Public relations interns and publicists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Relations InternshipPublicist
Average salary$30,868$50,679
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $30,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMayor Ethan BerkowitzJ. The Jewish News of Northern California
Best paying industryNon ProfitsMedia

Differences between public relations internship and publicist education

There are a few differences between a public relations internship and a publicist in terms of educational background:

Public Relations InternshipPublicist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 86%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of HoustonStanford University

Public relations internship vs publicist demographics

Here are the differences between public relations interns' and publicists' demographics:

Public Relations InternshipPublicist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 25.8% Female, 74.2%Male, 27.4% Female, 72.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between public relations internship and publicist duties and responsibilities

Public relations internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage relationship with vendors, media partners, secure coverage, track ROI and event logistics.
  • Manage CEO's LinkedIn account by consistently posting in relevant groups and connecting with prominent industry people.
  • Manage and write copy for client social media platforms and ECPR's social media deliverable, which involve SEO streamlining.
  • Manage all copywriting elements for live broadcasts and promotional commercials.
  • Assist in defining the best use of social media for the club including Facebook, twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
  • Create and distribute press releases, pitch letters, news articles, community biographies, and other various content pieces.
  • Show more

Publicist example responsibilities.

  • Manage publicity plans for fiction and non-fiction trade paperback titles.
  • Manage and write copy for client social media platforms and ECPR's social media deliverable, which involve SEO streamlining.
  • Book non-fiction author media tours.
  • Photograph events for the instagram account.
  • Maintain appropriate media lists, clips and coverage reports.
  • Post on Facebook and other websites to promote events & products
  • Show more

Public relations internship vs publicist skills

Common public relations internship skills
  • Press Releases, 30%
  • Facebook, 5%
  • Twitter, 5%
  • Press Clippings, 4%
  • Instagram, 4%
  • Event Planning, 4%
Common publicist skills
  • Press Releases, 30%
  • Press Materials, 7%
  • Public Relations Campaigns, 5%
  • Instagram, 5%
  • Twitter, 5%
  • Writing Press Releases, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs