Department - Author 1

Journalism Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Journalism

Date

12-2012

Primary Advisor

Dan Eller

Abstract/Summary

This study explores the history and background of student-run public relations firms on

college campuses and the benefits, if any, that students receive as a result of working

in such a firm. The public relations industry estimated at growing 18 percent between

2006 and 2016 (Todd, 2009). Even with the sudden expansion of the public relations

industry, and subsequently, public relations education, evidence suggests that recent

public relations graduates often times do meet entry-level outcome expectancies of

employers, leaving a need for a change in curriculum (Creedon, Dostal, Gael, Smith &

Walker, 1999). It is becoming increasingly more important to evaluate public relations

education and look for alternative methods of teaching public relations skills that meet

or possible exceed public relations employer’s expectations for entry-level outcomes.

“Given their important pedagogical benefits, it may be time for [academic]

departments to take a serious look at student agencies as an integral part of their

curricula,” (Bush, 2009, p.36).

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