Toronto Education

Do these following traits describe you well? Adept in writing, excellent verbal communication skills, a natural at getting attention, pays attention to trends, possesses skills in time management, research, event planning, budgeting, cold-calling and public speaking. If you answered yes, then perhaps a career in corporate communications or public relations is for you. These professionals, who have attended a Public Relations Program, build awareness and interest, serve as spokespersons and manage the flow of information to the public for a person, product or company. There are various positions within PR such as a public relations manager who communicates in writing, in person and over the phone with journalists and places stories in print and broadcast media and online. On the other hand, you may also become a community relations director, public information officer and internal and external communication specialist. According to an April 2009 survey on PayScale.com, the median salary for a PR manger is $65,959.

So what is the biggest difference between PR people and corporate communications professionals? While public relations is all about building and maintaining relationships between your client’s internal and external stakeholders, corporate communications involves the communication within a corporation, such as executive and internal communications, branding, events, advertising, and more.

No matter where your interest lies, you must first take a public relations program that includes communication skills training. At Centennial College’s Corporate Communications and Public Relations program, you get just that. Designed as a post-graduate undertaking, it takes just one year to complete and puts you into the field with a respected Graduate Certificate. Centennial College expects those applying to this communications training, to possess an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Applicants will also be required to attend an information session that includes writing and editing exercises and will have to submit a portfolio of writing and a resume. Those who can present a combination of partial post-secondary education (two year minimum) and relevant work experience may also be considered for Centennial College’s Communications Training.

The communications training offered by Centennial College consistently ranks well with students. 92 percent of graduates are very satisfied or satisfied with the overall quality of instruction; 86 percent of students are very satisfied or satisfied with skills and abilities specific to a career in this field; 100 per cent of employers of grads from the public relations program are very satisfied or satisfied with their job-related knowledge.

The program has gained its impressive reputation by offering corporate communications courses in which students learn to write media releases and newsletters, produce an event with a team, design releases, conduct press conferences, communicate effectively with the public and the media, and much more. In addition to the in-school communications training, students also participate in an eight-week field placement. This placement offers them the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learned within the program and to get a glimpse at the field they will enter upon graduating from the public relations program.