A Foolproof Method to Writing a Public Relations Intern Resume
Public Relations Intern Resume Sample
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A Foolproof Method to Writing a Public Relations Intern Resume

Amos Tayts
2025
10min read

Landing that first PR internship feels like trying to break into Fort Knox. Getting noticed among hundreds of eager applicants with similar classroom experience can seem impossible.

Are you tired of sending applications into the void without hearing back? Your resume needs to showcase your fresh perspective and digital savvy, even without years of agency experience.

At Resume Target, we help PR interns transform classroom projects and volunteer work into compelling professional stories. We'll show you how to craft a resume that makes hiring managers see your potential and eagerness to learn.

What Does a Public Relations Intern Do?

As the first line of support in shaping public perception, PR interns play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in building brand awareness through coordinating special projects and monitoring social media engagement that keeps organizations connected with their audiences.

In this dynamic role, you'll dive into everything from crafting compelling press releases and proofreading corporate communications to conducting competitive research and helping brainstorm fresh campaign ideas that capture public attention.

Whether you're interested in agency work, in-house PR, or nonprofit communications, an internship in public relations opens doors to diverse career paths where you can develop essential skills in strategic communication, media relations, and digital marketing that will serve as building blocks for your future PR career.

Public Relations Intern Salary Guide

Let's talk about your exciting career path as a Public Relations Intern! Your earning potential in this dynamic field varies based on your specialization, location, and the unique skills you bring to the table. Here's what's exciting: specializing in areas like photography can significantly boost your earning power as you build your PR career.

Public Relations Intern Salary Ranges by Experience:
  • Entry Level: $24,000
  • Mid-Career: $30,868
  • Professional: $35,000
  • Senior Professional: $37,000
  • Executive/Partner: $39,000

Figures from: Zippia

Career Advancement in Public Relations Intern

Starting as a PR intern opens doors to an exciting career in communications and brand management. Your internship experience builds crucial connections and skills that prepare you for progressive roles in public relations.

Your Public Relations Intern Career Timeline
  • Entry-level to Junior role: PR Intern to Junior PR Associate (1-2 years)
  • Mid-level role: PR Account Executive (2-4 years)
  • Senior role: Senior PR Manager (5-8 years)
  • Executive role: PR Director (8-12 years)
  • Top role: VP of Communications/Chief Communications Officer (12+ years)
Skills That Fast-Track Your Public Relations Intern Career

Beyond basic communication abilities, today's PR professionals need a dynamic mix of digital expertise and strategic thinking to stand out in this evolving field.

- Content Strategy and Creation - Social Media Management and Analytics - Media Relations and Press Release Writing - Interpersonal Communication and Networking
Getting Started as a Public Relations Intern

Launch your PR career by combining a relevant degree with hands-on experience through internships at agencies, corporations, or nonprofits where you'll learn essential industry skills while building valuable connections.

Entry-Level Roles Leading to Public Relations Intern

To stand out in today's competitive PR landscape, you'll need to develop strong writing skills and digital media expertise, which are consistently ranked as top requirements by leading PR firms.

Essential Education and Certifications for Public Relations Intern
  • Certificate in Principles of Public Relations: This entry-level credential from the Universal Accreditation Board is perfect for PR interns just starting their careers. It covers essential PR fundamentals, communication theory, and campaign management basics, making it an ideal first certification.
  • Accreditation in Public Relations (APR): Offered by the Public Relations Society of America, this widely-respected certification demonstrates professional excellence and commitment to the field. While typically pursued after gaining experience, it's good to have on your career roadmap.
  • Certified Public Relations Leader (CPRL): This advanced certification from the Canadian Public Relations Society focuses on strategic expertise and leadership skills. Though not immediately necessary for interns, it's valuable for long-term career development.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations or Communications: While not a certification, a relevant bachelor's degree provides the foundational knowledge needed for PR work. Look for programs accredited by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Requirements from Teal HQ

Where are Public Relations Intern Jobs in the US?

From tech startups to healthcare giants, PR intern opportunities are booming in major metro hubs across the US.

Top Spots Hiring Public Relations Interns
  • New York-Newark-Jersey City: The media capital offers unparalleled exposure with nearly 24,000 PR positions and major agency headquarters
  • Washington DC Metro Area: Government agencies, nonprofits, and advocacy groups create a dynamic PR landscape with 23,000+ opportunities
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach: Entertainment industry and tech startups drive over 11,000 PR positions, perfect for creative communicators

Figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

How to Write a Public Relations Intern Resume

Struggling to showcase your PR potential when you're just starting out in the field? This comprehensive, section-by-section guide will help you craft a compelling public relations intern resume that highlights your relevant skills and experiences, even if you're new to the industry.

Start with a Powerful Public Relations Intern Resume Summary

If you're like most aspiring PR professionals, condensing your enthusiasm, skills, and potential into a few powerful lines feels as challenging as crafting the perfect pitch.

While you may excel at creating compelling stories and managing social media campaigns, translating your budding PR talents into a resume summary that catches a hiring manager's attention requires a strategic approach that showcases both your fresh perspective and eagerness to learn.

Questions to help write your Public Relations Intern Resume:

How would you describe your understanding of public relations principles and your ability to apply them in real-world communications scenarios?

Reason: This helps establish your theoretical foundation while showing practical application potential, which is crucial for intern positions where employers want to see both academic knowledge and hands-on capabilities.

What aspects of your communication style and media awareness would make you particularly effective in supporting PR campaigns and media relations?

Reason: This question helps you articulate your natural aptitude for PR work while highlighting your understanding of current media landscapes, which are essential qualities employers look for in PR interns.

How would you characterize your ability to balance multiple PR-related tasks while maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced agency or corporate environment?

Reason: This helps you address the critical multitasking and organizational skills needed in PR work, while demonstrating your understanding of the dynamic nature of the industry.

Resume summary examples
  • Dedicated and results-driven professional with 2 years of experience as a Public Relations Intern. Oversees media monitoring, social media content creation, and press release distribution across 12 regional markets while implementing data-driven engagement strategies. Partners with marketing teams, executive leadership, and media outlets to secure 25+ positive media placements quarterly and increase brand visibility by 40% year-over-year.
  • Dynamic and detail-oriented professional with 1.5 years of experience as a Public Relations Intern. Manages stakeholder communications, crisis management protocols, and digital campaign analytics for Fortune 500 clients while optimizing outreach effectiveness through A/B testing. Partners with creative directors, account managers, and industry influencers to enhance client reputation scores by 35% and generate $2M in earned media value.

List Your Key Skills as a Public Relations Intern

As an aspiring PR professional, you'll need to showcase both your emerging technical abilities and foundational communication skills that employers seek in entry-level talent.

Your skills section should highlight your proficiency with social media management tools and content creation, while also emphasizing essential PR skills like media monitoring, writing press releases, and supporting event planning.

Examples of PR Intern Skills: - Social Media Management (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) - Press Release Writing - Media Monitoring - Content Creation - Basic Graphic Design - Event Planning Support - Research & Analysis - Media List Building - Client Communications - Project Coordination - Writing & Editing - Time Management - Team Collaboration - Microsoft Office Suite - Cision/Meltwater - Hootsuite/Buffer - Adobe Creative Suite (basic) - Google Analytics - WordPress/CMS platforms - Public Speaking Technical Tools: Canva | Mailchimp | Asana | Google Workspace | Slack | Zoom
Public Relations Intern resume skills examples
  • Social Media Management
  • Adaptability
  • Content Management Systems
  • Media Monitoring
  • Press Release Writing
  • Event Planning
  • Cross-functional Team Coordination

How to Organize Work Experience on a Public Relations Intern Resume

Stand out from other PR intern candidates by organizing your experience into three powerful sections: a compelling role overview that sets the scene, measurable PR achievements that showcase your impact, and core responsibilities that highlight your growing communications expertise.

Highlight Your Impactful Public Relations Intern Achievements

Many PR interns struggle to demonstrate meaningful contributions when their experience consists mainly of administrative tasks and team support roles. Transform routine responsibilities into compelling achievements by connecting your work to measurable campaign outcomes, media placements, and social engagement metrics that showcase your strategic communication abilities.

How to write accomplishments for a Public Relations Intern resume:
  • Quantify Your Achievements: Include specific metrics to demonstrate impact. Example: "Secured 15+ media placements in top-tier publications, resulting in 500K+ impressions"or "Grew social media engagement by 45% across three platforms through strategic content creation."
  • Add Context: Follow the situation-action-result formula to provide clear value. Describe the challenge, explain your actions, and highlight the outcome. This helps hiring managers understand both your capabilities and the impact of your work.
  • Start Strong: Begin accomplishments with powerful action verbs that showcase initiative and results. Use verbs like "Spearheaded social media campaign that increased brand visibility,""Orchestrated press events resulting in positive coverage,"or "Developed media pitches that secured feature stories."
  • Use the Right Tense: Write current internship accomplishments in present tense and past internship achievements in past tense. Maintain consistency throughout each position's description to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Examples of accomplishments for a Public Relations Intern resume
  • Spearheaded a social media campaign that increased Instagram engagement by 45% over 3 months by creating compelling content and implementing strategic posting schedules, resulting in 2,500 new followers for the brand
  • Drafted and distributed 12 press releases for major product launches, securing coverage in 3 industry-leading publications and generating over 50,000 impressions, while maintaining a 100% accuracy rate for all external communications
  • Coordinated logistics for a high-profile charity event with 200+ attendees, managing vendor relationships and guest communications, which resulted in raising $25,000 for local youth programs and earning positive media coverage in 2 local news outlets

Highlight Your Responsibilities and Duties on Your Public Relations Intern Resume

The responsibilities section demonstrates how PR interns contribute to communication strategies and brand messaging beyond basic administrative tasks. This section should translate your daily activities into clear achievements that show hiring managers how your work supported the agency's or organization's communication goals.

How to write a Public Relations Intern responsibilities section:
  • Keep It Short and Sweet: Each responsibility should be concise and impactful, focusing on 2-3 lines maximum. This helps hiring managers quickly understand your role in supporting PR campaigns and media relations.
  • Stick to the Point: Focus each bullet point on one specific PR task or responsibility. For example, describe your role in media monitoring, social media content creation, or press release drafting separately.
  • Start Strong: Begin each bullet point with powerful action verbs that showcase your PR capabilities. Use verbs like "drafted,""coordinated,""monitored,""researched,"and "assisted"to demonstrate your hands-on experience in public relations activities.
Examples of Public Relations Intern responsibilities:
  • Media Monitoring: Track and analyze media coverage across digital platforms and traditional outlets to compile daily reports measuring brand sentiment and campaign effectiveness
  • Content Creation: Draft press releases, social media content, and blog posts aligned with brand messaging guidelines to enhance company visibility and engagement metrics
  • Event Support: Coordinate logistics for press conferences and media events, including managing guest lists, preparing press kits, and facilitating on-site media relations
  • Client Communication: Support account teams in developing client presentations, conducting research, and maintaining coverage databases to strengthen client relationships and reporting capabilities

List Your Education and Certifications

Your education and certifications show employers you have the foundational knowledge needed for PR work and demonstrate your commitment to the field. As a PR intern, focus on highlighting your relevant coursework in communications, journalism, or marketing, along with any digital media certifications that showcase your technical skills.

  • Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations | State University | Expected May 2024
  • Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification | Hootsuite Academy | Valid through December 2023

Customizing Your Public Relations Intern Resume for Job Descriptions

Now that you've created a strong foundation using Resume Target's proven resume writing guidelines, you're ready to transform your base resume into a powerful tool for landing that coveted PR internship.

While many candidates make the mistake of using the same generic resume for every application, successful PR intern candidates know that personalizing their resume for each position is just as crucial as crafting the perfect pitch.

By carefully aligning your resume's keywords and experiences with each specific internship description, you'll not only sail through automated ATS screenings but also demonstrate to hiring managers that you understand their unique communication needs and agency culture.

Ready to stand out from the crowd of applicants? Let's turn your resume into a compelling story that shows exactly why you're the perfect PR intern for each position you target!

How to customize your Public Relations Intern resume to fit your target job
  • 1. Read the Job Description Carefully: Focus on the responsibilities and qualifications sections where key PR skills are listed. Look for repeated terms like "social media management,""media relations,""writing,"or "event planning."Pay attention to specific tools or platforms mentioned, as employers often seek interns with particular technical knowledge.
  • 2. Highlight the Skills in Your Core Competencies: Include relevant PR skills in your core competencies section, such as "Social Media Content Creation,""Press Release Writing,""Media Monitoring,"or "Event Coordination."Match these with the internship requirements, emphasizing any experience with mentioned platforms like Hootsuite, Cision, or Meltwater.
  • 3. Reflect Skills in Your Responsibilities Section: Use bullet points to describe your relevant experience, even if from school projects or volunteer work. For example: "Managed social media accounts for university club, increasing engagement by creating daily content across Instagram and Twitter"or "Assisted in organizing campus fundraising event, handling media outreach and guest communications."
  • 4. Include Accomplishments that Demonstrate these Skills: Highlight specific achievements that show your PR capabilities. For instance: "Grew student organization's Instagram following by 45% through strategic content calendar implementation"or "Secured coverage in 3 local news outlets for charity fundraising event through targeted media pitching."
  • 5. Use Keywords from the Job Description: Incorporate industry-specific terms throughout your resume, such as "media relations,""content creation,"or "stakeholder communication."This helps your resume pass ATS screening and shows recruiters you understand PR terminology and requirements. Remember to demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning and growing in the PR field.

How to Write an Entry-Level Public Relations Intern Resume

Don't let a lack of professional PR experience hold you back! Your journey into public relations can start strong by showcasing your communication skills, relevant coursework, and hands-on projects.

Instead of dwelling on unrelated work history, your resume should spotlight your writing abilities, social media savvy, and any PR-related class projects or campus activities.

Focus on highlighting your communication skills, digital media knowledge, and demonstrated leadership experience to make your resume stand out.

For more guidance on crafting the perfect PR intern resume, check out the Student Resume Writing Guide for industry-specific tips and examples.

Write a Strong Entry-Level Public Relations Intern Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your chance to showcase your fresh perspective, digital media savvy, and passion for strategic communications that you've developed through coursework and campus activities.

Focus on highlighting your relevant academic projects, social media expertise, and any volunteer experience that demonstrates your ability to craft compelling narratives and engage with diverse audiences.

Example of a Public Relations Intern entry-level resume summary:

"Dynamic and results-driven Communications student with hands-on experience managing social media campaigns for campus organizations and local nonprofits. Demonstrated success in content creation, media relations, and event promotion through university projects and volunteer work. Proficient in digital marketing tools, press release writing, and analytics tracking. Seeking to leverage strong writing abilities and creative storytelling skills to contribute fresh perspectives to an innovative PR team."

Detail Your Public Relations Education

Now's your chance to showcase how your academic foundation has prepared you for an exciting PR career - don't just list your degree, bring your educational experience to life!

Highlight relevant coursework like Media Relations and Social Media Strategy, plus spotlight those hands-on projects where you created press releases, managed mock campaigns, or coordinated student-run PR events.

Courses common for a Public Relations degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Public Relations at the University of Texas at Austin, include Advertising and Public Relations Research, Advertising and Public Relations Media Planning, Journalism Practices, Fundamentals of Public Relations, Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations Research, Public Relations Techniques, Strategies in Public Relations, Advertising and Public Relations Law and Ethics, Business Acumen, Integrated Communications Management, Integrated Communications Campaigns, and Public Relations Internship [1]. Rutgers University offers a Public Relations Certificate that consists of six four-week courses [3]. Online certification programs typically include coursework, knowledge tests or exams and individual PR projects [2].
Entry level Public Relations Intern resume education

Relevant Coursework: Advertising and Public Relations Research | Media Planning | Journalism Practices | Fundamentals of Public Relations | PR Techniques | Integrated Communications Campaigns

Key Projects:

Campus Awareness Campaign: Developed and executed a comprehensive PR campaign to increase student engagement in sustainability initiatives across campus, resulting in 40% increased participation in green programs.

  • Designed strategic communication plan incorporating social media, press releases, and event planning
  • Analyzed campaign metrics using Google Analytics and social media insights to optimize message delivery
  • Created compelling content including blog posts, newsletters, and social media content that aligned with campaign objectives

Local Business PR Strategy: Collaborated with a team of four to develop a crisis communication plan for a local restaurant chain facing reputation challenges.

  • Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify effective communication strategies
  • Coordinated with team members to develop media response protocols and stakeholder communication templates
  • Implemented social media monitoring tools to track brand sentiment and engage with customer feedback

Customize Your Public Relations Intern Resume Skills

Transform your academic knowledge, volunteer experience, and digital media savvy into a compelling skills section that showcases your readiness to excel in public relations through a strategic blend of communication abilities and technical proficiencies.

Examples of Entry Level Public Relations Intern Skills:
  • Social Media Platform Management (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
  • Basic Press Release Writing
  • Media Monitoring and Analysis
  • Content Management Systems (WordPress, Wix)
  • Basic Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign)
  • Event Planning and Coordination
  • Media List Development
  • Basic SEO Understanding

As an aspiring Public Relations Intern, your combination of fresh perspectives and contemporary communication skills positions you perfectly for launching a dynamic career in an industry that continues to evolve and expand with new digital opportunities.

Partner with the Experts in Public Relations Intern Resume Writing

Let's face it - breaking into PR can feel like trying to open a locked door without the key, especially when you're competing against hundreds of other eager interns who all claim to have "excellent communication skills"and "social media expertise."

At Resume Target, we specialize in crafting intern resumes that make you shine in the competitive PR world, helping you showcase those classroom projects and part-time experiences in ways that catch a hiring manager's eye.

We've helped countless aspiring PR professionals transform their academic achievements and budding experience into compelling career stories that land interviews at top agencies.

With summer internship season approaching fast and agencies already building their candidate pools, now is the perfect time to get your resume professionally crafted - connect with us today to start your PR journey on the right foot.

Work with a Professional Public relations Resume Writer

Impress any hiring manager with our Public relations resume writing service. We work with all career levels and types of Public relations professionals.

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