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Meghan
Student
Charleston, South Carolina
1
Question
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What is the part of the job search that post-graduates don't expect about finding a PR job in New York City?
Seeking a job in New York City post-grad at a PR agency or in-house at a company.
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Johnson Tran
Tutor
93
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Hi Meghan,
Great question, because PR is one of those fields where the job search works differently than most new grads expect.
The part nobody warns you about: in PR, relationships come before applications. A huge share of agency and in-house roles get filled through referrals and networking before they are ever posted, and junior candidates who only apply online often wonder why they hear nothing. The fix is to build your network early: follow and engage with PR professionals and agencies you admire on LinkedIn, reach out to College of Charleston PR alumni working in New York for informational chats, and ask thoughtful questions of people doing the job you want. Those conversations turn into referrals more often than you would think.
A second surprise: New York PR hiring is competitive but beginner-friendly in specific lanes. Agencies (Edelman, Weber Shandwick, Ogilvy PR, plus the mid-size and boutique shops) hire entry-level assistant and coordinator roles in waves, often for spring and fall start dates, and many expect you to apply months ahead. Watch those cycles, and do not overlook smaller boutiques; they give juniors more responsibility faster and are less known, so fewer people apply.
Third: your portfolio matters more than your GPA. Solid writing is the currency of PR, so have two or three writing samples ready (a press release, a pitch email, a social campaign concept), even class projects, and be ready to talk about media you actually read and follow.
Finally, budget realism. NYC entry salaries are modest and the cost of living is not, so build a realistic number and be patient with the first year; the experience compounds fast in that market.
You are asking the right questions before graduating, which is exactly the habit that will get you hired. Good luck, Meghan.
Warm regards,
Johnson Tran
Math Tutor / Educator
This week, find 5 College of Charleston PR alumni working in New York on LinkedIn and send each a short informational interview request mentioning what you are studying and asking one specific question about breaking into the field.
Great question, because PR is one of those fields where the job search works differently than most new grads expect.
The part nobody warns you about: in PR, relationships come before applications. A huge share of agency and in-house roles get filled through referrals and networking before they are ever posted, and junior candidates who only apply online often wonder why they hear nothing. The fix is to build your network early: follow and engage with PR professionals and agencies you admire on LinkedIn, reach out to College of Charleston PR alumni working in New York for informational chats, and ask thoughtful questions of people doing the job you want. Those conversations turn into referrals more often than you would think.
A second surprise: New York PR hiring is competitive but beginner-friendly in specific lanes. Agencies (Edelman, Weber Shandwick, Ogilvy PR, plus the mid-size and boutique shops) hire entry-level assistant and coordinator roles in waves, often for spring and fall start dates, and many expect you to apply months ahead. Watch those cycles, and do not overlook smaller boutiques; they give juniors more responsibility faster and are less known, so fewer people apply.
Third: your portfolio matters more than your GPA. Solid writing is the currency of PR, so have two or three writing samples ready (a press release, a pitch email, a social campaign concept), even class projects, and be ready to talk about media you actually read and follow.
Finally, budget realism. NYC entry salaries are modest and the cost of living is not, so build a realistic number and be patient with the first year; the experience compounds fast in that market.
You are asking the right questions before graduating, which is exactly the habit that will get you hired. Good luck, Meghan.
Warm regards,
Johnson Tran
Math Tutor / Educator
Johnson recommends the following next steps: