5 Great Cities to Launch Your PR Career
Post-grad is the perfect time to start your career and your ‘real’ life as an adult by moving to a new city. Relocation after graduation can offer young professionals a fresh start and expand opportunities for new jobs, friends, and experiences. If moving somewhere new feels daunting, this list can help guide you toward cities that will both challenge you professionally and feel like home.
If you’re planning on making a move after graduation, this list is for you! These five cities all have a great job market for communications professionals and a high quality of life for young people… what more could you ask for? To break them down, we’ll discuss the standout features of each city's job markets and list a few of the top PR agencies each city houses!
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. ranks at the top of nearly every list declaring the cities with the most job opportunities in communications. Thanks to its status as the political capital of the country, D.C. boasts a strong roster of communications careers, making it an ideal location to begin your job hunt. With a booming population of young professionals and surroundings full of rich history, D.C. is a great place to call home!
If public affairs is your thing, then look no further than Washington D.C. Public image and politics go hand-in-hand, so rest assured there is no shortage of need for communications and PR specialists on Capitol Hill. There is also a high concentration of healthcare and science industries in the D.C. area, so many of the top-ranked firms for healthcare boast offices in the capital city.
Featured agencies:
APCO Worldwide – focuses on advisory, advocacy and reputation management services.
Spectrum – an agency that’s hyper-focused on science and health with full-service capabilities.
JPA Health – has an exclusive focus on health through PR, marketing and advocacy capabilities.
New York, NY
New York is more popularly known as the center for advertising, but with the age of integrated communications and full-service firms, there is no shortage of PR-related jobs in the Big Apple. NYC is home to the most PR agencies of any city in the U.S. and ranks as the #1 designated market area for media in the country. If you’re looking to burst out of your comfort zone and live out your big-city dreams, NYC is the place to be!
New York is also home to the oldest, largest, and most prominent Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter in the country- PRSA-NY. The opportunities for professional development and networking in NYC through establishments like PRSA-NY are second to none.
Featured agencies:
Finn Partners – a fast-growing global independent marketing and communications agency.
ICR – has a large focus on investor relations with full-service capabilities.
5WPR – a top 10 independent PR firm that does a bit of everything when it comes to communications.
Chicago, IL
Chicago is an emerging PR hub and an ideal spot for post-grads to find their footing in a big city that feels cozy. Chicago has a friendly, midwestern flair and affordable cost of living compared to other similarly sized cities. Chicago is notable for its walkability and the quality of its public transportation, which makes it accessible for work commutes without the need for a car.
Chicago’s history with PR runs deep, and the city is home to iconic PR legends whose PR contributions were instrumental in laying the foundation for the public relations profession. Professionals such as Al Golin whose work helped build the McDonald’s corporation from its earliest days, and Dan Edelman who founded what is now the world’s largest PR firm, Edelman, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Featured agencies with Offices in Chicago:
Walker Sands – specializes in B2B marketing strategies with a focus on tech.
Edelman – a global mega-agency (the largest PR firm) with deep roots in Chicago.
Golin – a full-service agency with practice areas in consumer, corporate, healthcare, social impact + inclusion and technology.
Los Angeles, CA
The City of Angels has no lack of exciting career opportunities for communicators. The city is home to the second-largest media market in the country and is keenly attuned to the rapidly changing trends and innovations within the field of public relations. If you’re looking to escape the chilling and dark midwest winters, LA can offer the sunshine you need alongside a cool Californian pace of life.
Influencer marketing is a fast-growing industry in LA, which has opened opportunities for innovative and growing agencies to strategize and capitalize on the trend. LA’s position as an entertainment hub also provides unique career opportunities in film/TV promotions, sports marketing, and more.
Featured agencies with Offices in LA:
Citizen Relations – a full-service agency that loves social & digital and experiential marketing.
IW Group – named multicultural agency of the year, IW specializes in multicultural marketing and even plays with the metaverse.
Fiona Hutton & Associates – tackles California’s toughest issues through PR and public affairs.
Austin, TX
Austin is growing to be the largest hub for postgrads to begin their lives. With a median age of 34.5, Austin consistently ranks highly as the preferred city for young professionals to launch their careers. The vibrance of the city is undeniable, and for those seeking a youthful atmosphere, Austin makes the perfect home.
Austin boasts one of the most educated talent pools in the country, so there are plenty of great opportunities for networking and professional development within the community. Austin is also a tech hub known for its concentration of entrepreneurial start-ups, filling the town with unique employers and strong possibilities for growth.
Features Agencies with Offices in Austin:
Pierpont Communications – the largest independent PR/marketing/digital strategy/public affairs firm in Texas.
INK Communications – a firm focused on B2B Tech and Energy.
Treble PR– specializes in working with venture-backed startups and VCs in the tech hubs of Texas.
Remote Opportunities
Transitioning into life after college can be challenging and overwhelming. Luckily, in today’s work climate more and more agencies and companies are offering remote work opportunities and host offices in numerous locations throughout the U.S. Remote positions can offer you the flexibility to move to a location that best fits your lifestyle needs, while also not limiting your employment opportunities.
For the first few transitional years post-grad, it is important to find a place where you can comfortably feel at home while you build a career. Be sure to consider not only what your ‘dream position’ will be out of college, but also what location you’ll feel like yourself in!
Emma Buschle is a senior, double majoring in Advertising & Public Relations and Dance. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of GrandPR, GV’s student-led integrated communications firm, and sits on the executive board for GVPRSSA. Outside of class, Emma is gaining agency experience as a PR Intern for Lambert. For fun, she enjoys reading, attending group fitness classes, and spending time with friends and family.
