Communication Jobs and MBA Programs in Iowa

Those thinking about careers as public relations managers can find educational and employment prospects in Iowa. There are currently 520 jobs for public relations managers in Iowa and this is projected to grow by 14 percent to 670 jobs by 2016. With the national projections showing a rise of just 12 percent over the next 10 years, the prospects in Iowa are better relative to the nation as a whole. In general, public relations managers plan and direct public relations programs that are designed to create and maintain a favorable public image for employers or clients.

Iowa photo by Bill Whittaker

State figures show that public relations managers in Iowa earn $35 per hour or $73,000 per year on average. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is $49 hourly or $101,000 per year on average.

Also known as the Hawkeye State, Iowa has a population of 3,007,856. It has seen its population grow by 2.8 percent over the last 10 years. The capital is Des Moines. There were 2,025,350 total jobs in 2008 and workers in Iowa earned more than the previous year with an average annual income of $37,509, up from $35,755. The unemployment rate in Iowa was 6.0 percent in 2009. It went up by 1.6 percentage points since the previous year. The number of residents with a college degree is 21.2 percent. This falls short of the national average.

In Iowa, the top employers are in machinery manufacturing, mining machinery manufacturing, grain milling and farm supplies merchant wholesalers.

While being known for many things, one of the most noteworthy, Strawberry Point is the home of the world's largest strawberry. One of the unique tidbits about Iowa is The Saint Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville is the only basilica in the United States situated outside a major metropolitan area.

Communication

Public relations managers plan and direct public relations programs that are designed to create and maintain a favorable public image for employers or clients.

While working, they oversee efforts the firm supports to get public attention through the media without advertising directly. Also, they evaluate advertising and promotion programs for compatibility with public relations efforts.

They are required to write well and note the reactions and responses of others in both work and social situations.

Public relations managers must be able to articulate ideas and problems. They should also have the ability to listen to and understand others in meetings.

In order to be successful in the workplace, public relations managers must be thorough and dependable and be able to take change and lead.