PR continues to be an attractive career change for journalists, a
new study this month by journalism foundation The Freedom Forum shows.
Nearly one-half (43 percent) of new journalists in the survey,
"Winds of Change: Whither Journalism Education," said they may leave
journalism. The most likely career switch -- public relations -- was
cited by 23 percent of respondents.
The survey of new journalists at newspapers, magazines and radio
and TV stations nationwide involved phone contacts with 1,041
journalists with between one and 11 years of experience.
Better Pay Makes PR Attractive
PR looked especially attractive to those journalists making the
least amount of money. Of those considering a switch to PR, 33
percent reported earning less than $20,000, and 28 percent listed
their pay as $20-30,000.
As PR NEWS reported in our Salary Guide, a supplement to the
April 29 issue, agency account executive salaries rarely start at less
than $25,000 and range into the $40s. Entry-level corporate PR jobs
rarely start at less than $30,000.
The low pay and shrinking number of opportunities--especially in
newspapers--most likely will continue fueling a steady flow of ex-
journalists into public relations. Interestingly, Ray Gaulke, chief
operating officer of the Public Relations Society of America, thinks
downsized or career-limited journalists should consider fund-raising
opportunities with non-profit organizations (see box below). (Freedom
Forum, 703/284-2810)