To work as a press secretary, you’ll typically need a mix of education and experience, as well as the ability to network and sell yourself in a variety of situations. There isn’t always an easy way to go from graduation to full-time work as a press secretary, as there is with so many other jobs. After you’ve completed the required book learning, you may need to spend some time working in less powerful jobs in the media or public relations to build a portfolio of experiences that you can later turn into the work you want. You may also need to begin your career in a lower-profile, less prestigious position — for example, working for a local official or in a small office — before you are qualified to work in a more prestigious position. Outside of education, tenacity and determination are usually the most important aspects of landing this job. If you’re patient enough, you’ll eventually find the ideal match, though it may take some time.
Getting a General Understanding of the Job
A press secretary is a person who speaks publicly on behalf of a person, government official, or organization. It is usually the press secretary’s job to shape his or her constituent’s public image, maintain relationships with the press, and manage damage control in the event of unfortunate or unforeseen events. In most cases, this person is also in charge of making announcements about breaking news and changes.
This profession allows people to speak on behalf of celebrities, public figures, or government officials. In different capacities, different things are required, but in general, the job requires an undergraduate degree, experience in the field, and a demeanor that can handle the pressure of being in the public eye on a regular basis.
Let’s begin with education.
Because press secretarial work is frequently considered a specialized area of public relations, an undergraduate degree in public relations may be a good place to start. You might also consider pursuing a journalism or communications degree. Press secretaries, especially those who go on to work for government agencies, usually come from a journalism background.
Other social sciences, particularly politics and business, may be useful if you want to work as a press secretary for high-profile business or social figures. In any case, since the position’s main function is to be the public face of his or her constituent, courses and experience in public speaking and debating can be critical. Your job will be to shape the public image of a person or organization you represent, so you’ll need to be comfortable speaking in front of groups, keep up with current events, and be able to handle a crisis at a moment’s notice.
Experience Is Crucial
A bachelor’s degree isn’t usually enough to get a job as a press secretary. You’ll almost always need some prior experience to demonstrate that you have what it takes to do the job well. To get your foot in the door, look for an internship or job with a newspaper, television station, radio station, or even an Internet outlet. A position like this could provide useful experience, especially in terms of learning how to write press releases, news stories, and other types of content.
Furthermore, working in any of these environments can assist you in developing relationships with people with whom you may need to network in the future. Handling yourself in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment is also good practice for what your life will be like once you land the job you want. If at all possible, you should consider writing news articles for the benefit of your constituents or establishing yourself on talk radio. Volunteering is another excellent way to establish one’s presence, particularly if one is a government official.
Be willing to put in the effort to advance.
Despite the fact that celebrities, public figures, and emerging corporations may have a large public relations team, they usually only have one press secretary. This frequently means that job openings are scarce and highly competitive. You’ll almost always have to work your way up, and you’ll have to accept lower-status, often lower-paying jobs while you wait.