Have you thought about working in public relations? Many of the skills gained by journalism students graduating in summer can be an excellent launch pad for a career PR. From September Sunderland will offer an MA in Public Relations aimed at helping media graduates learn the skills and understanding needed to succeed in this still-bouyant discipline.

Don’t just think of PR as media relations. It is about a lot more than sending out press releases and keeping journalists away from stories. It involves a wide range of communications skills, used by a very wide range of organisations.

The money can be good, the prospects exciting… and the work can be very rewarding. Remember, for example, that charities and pressure groups use PR, to change government policy, to promote health and environmental messages, or build understanding of the arts and culture.

As you would expect, social media is at the heart of the programme and graduates will go into the job market with the cutting edge skills that employers are very keen to gain.

To find out more, have a word with Philip Young (philip.young@sunderland.ac.uk).