Do you think "Public Relations" is a good career?

Always a need for good PR people. Social media has expanded the roles. You may want to think about putting together a community website as a project, and maintaining it through college. I would suggest reading The Cluetrain Manifesto and following Chris Brogan and Jake McKee.

I think that in the increasingly public world we live in, the need for public relations professionals will continue to grow.

Only if you enjoy “the public”. People can be tough to work with if you’re in the service industry. I think of the hospitality industry and taking complaints when I think of PR, but it sounds like there may be more opportunities as @BarnacleBill suggests. Every buisness/agency has to have a PR person, right? So may be a good place to start. And if you don’t like it- it’s probably pretty easy to make connections with a job like that, so you could maybe do something else that comes across your way. Have you talked to your advisor?

well I’m from Argentina and I know that in my country is hard to get a good job in this field but i’m thinking about doing an internship in the States… i know PR was born in USA and I think that if i do smth like that, that might increase my chances to get a good job back in my country or somwhere else… who knows!! thats why im wondering about the opportunities over there

I’ve worked with P.R. people my entire career and have never known one who liked his clients or his/her duties. Currently, my office is next door to one of the most unhappy P.R. persons I ever met.

Learning about it is a good thing—but plying it as a profession, not so much.

It’s a fascinating field. I recommend it. It has the potential to be a rewarding career.
If nothing else, the study will give you good people skills.

Be aggressive in job-hunting. PR is a growing field Stateside, and the good positions, even internship positions, get snapped up quickly.

I suppose it may be as far as compensation, but it’s one of those careers that is unnecessary to life quality of society. You aren’t making or doing anything really useful. It’s just about image which is pretty flaky.

@perspicacious, I have to disagree. The management of perception and relationships is highly influential and shapes society. In addition to public relations for businesses, political candidates, causes and ideologies all use public relations professionals. Damage control on all levels is handled by PR people, news is based upon press releases issued by PR people, any public opinion is directed by PR. How else do you think Sarah Palin stays afloat? It certainly isn’t due to her rapier sharp wit or intellect. She has a PR handler.

@BarnacleBill Being influential and shaping doesn’t necessarily add to society’s quality of life or well being. The people who pick up the trash have a much more useful place in society than PR people. I know what public relations is and the impact it can have. That doesn’t change my opinion of the industry. Thanks for the comment.

@perspicacious Incidentally, public relations is the driving force behind most city beautification projects.