FAMU students connect with employers during a campus career fair. (Photo courtesy of @famusjgc82)

For public relations students, earning a degree does not always mean working for an agency, managing social media or writing press releases. 

At Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, students develop skills in writing, research, strategic communication and critical thinking that can open doors across industries. 

Aniah Jackson, a 2018 FAMU public relations graduate, experienced this flexibility firsthand. After working in entertainment PR and as a publicist, Jackson transitioned into workforce development and later human resources. 

Now a campus recruiter at Citibank, Jackson said networking, branding, public speaking, strategy and people management continue to shape her work. 

“I didn’t really realize how universal the skills that we learn in the School of Journalism are, and how they can be utilized so effectively,” Jackson said. 

Her career looks different from what she envisioned as a PR student. 

“I thought I was going to be in Hollywood when I graduated,” Jackson said. “But my story was completely different.” 

For spring 2026 graduate Nissa Phillip, PR skills have taken her in another direction. Phillip is now a first-year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. 

Phillip, who minored in political science, became interested in the connection between communications and law through FAMU courses such as Communication Law and Media Ethics. 

“I had a professor tell me in Introduction to PR and again in PR Research that you will think well, speak well, write well,” Phillip said. 

Phillip said her PR background also taught her to research with a purpose, communicate clearly and focus on answering the specific question being asked — an approach she now applies to legal research. 

Kayla Jefferson, an academic adviser at SJGC, understands transferable skills from another perspective. Her experience in social work taught her to listen closely, understand people’s needs and guide them through difficult situations. She now draws on those skills when helping students navigate academic and personal challenges. 

Jefferson said the PR curriculum similarly prepares students to work across industries. 

“PR isn’t just, ‘Oh, I’m representing a brand,’” Jefferson said. “You have to understand marketing and advertising and know how to do a little bit of a lot.” 

Jackson, Phillip and Jefferson took different paths, but communication remains a common thread. Their experiences show that choosing public relations does not mean choosing one career for life. Instead, the skills developed through the major can give students the flexibility to pursue opportunities across industries and continue discovering where those skills can take them.