EDUCATION

Mass Communication vs Public Relations: Which One Should You Study in Polytechnic?

For many polytechnic students in Nigeria, deciding on the right course of study is not always easy. Mass Communication and Public Relations are two courses that often create confusion because of their close connection to media, information, and communication. While they share similarities, they are different in scope, career opportunities, and long-term benefits.

If you are considering either Mass Communication or Public Relations in a polytechnic, this article will give you detailed insights into what each course involves, the career prospects in Nigeria and abroad, and which one may suit your goals better.

What is Mass Communication?

Mass Communication is the study of how information is shared with large audiences using various platforms such as newspapers, television, radio, social media, film, and advertising. It is a broad course that covers journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and digital communication.

Polytechnic students studying Mass Communication gain exposure to different aspects of media, which makes the course highly flexible. This means that graduates can pursue multiple career paths in both traditional and digital media industries.

What is Public Relations?

Public Relations, commonly called PR, is a specialized field that focuses on managing the image, reputation, and communication strategies of organizations, brands, or individuals. It is about creating positive relationships between an organization and its audience.

In polytechnics, PR as a course trains students to write press releases, organize campaigns, manage crises, handle public image, and build long-term trust with the public. Unlike Mass Communication, which is wide in scope, PR is narrow and more focused on strategic communication and reputation management.

Differences Between Mass Communication and Public Relations

While Mass Communication is broad and covers various fields of media, Public Relations is more specialized.

Mass Communication teaches students to handle journalism, broadcasting, advertising, film production, and public relations. Graduates can work across several industries.

Public Relations, on the other hand, centers on strategic communication, image building, and brand management. PR professionals are often employed by companies, government agencies, NGOs, and celebrities to shape public perception.

Career Opportunities in Nigeria

Mass Communication

In Nigeria, graduates of Mass Communication can work in radio and television broadcasting, advertising agencies, PR firms, online media companies, film production houses, and digital marketing companies.

The rise of social media has also created opportunities for Mass Communication graduates to work as content creators, social media managers, and influencers. Many graduates also venture into entrepreneurship by starting their own blogs, YouTube channels, or media consulting firms.

Public Relations

Graduates of Public Relations in Nigeria can work in corporate organizations, government agencies, public service institutions, NGOs, and political campaigns. PR professionals are in demand for managing corporate communication, handling crises, and building relationships between organizations and the public.

However, unlike Mass Communication graduates who have multiple industries to choose from, PR graduates are often restricted to image and communication management roles.

Career Opportunities Abroad

Mass Communication

Internationally, Mass Communication graduates can work in advertising, digital media, broadcasting, film production, corporate communication, and PR. The diversity of the course makes it highly marketable abroad. In countries like the UK, USA, and Canada, Mass Communication professionals are often employed in media corporations, advertising agencies, and online platforms.

The global shift to digital communication has also widened opportunities for remote work, enabling Nigerian graduates to work for international companies without leaving the country.

Public Relations

Public Relations graduates abroad also have attractive career options. In developed countries, PR specialists are in demand in corporate organizations, government agencies, entertainment industries, and NGOs. However, PR can sometimes be competitive because companies prefer individuals with experience in both PR and digital communication.

Compared to Mass Communication, PR may not offer as many varied opportunities abroad unless combined with broader communication skills.

Salary Prospects

In Nigeria, Mass Communication graduates may earn between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000 monthly, depending on where they work. Those who specialize in advertising, broadcasting, or digital marketing often earn higher, especially if they handle multiple clients or projects.

Public Relations graduates in Nigeria may earn between ₦90,000 and ₦200,000 monthly at entry level, with higher salaries available in top corporate organizations and political campaigns.

Abroad, Mass Communication graduates can earn attractive salaries in advertising, film, and digital media, while PR professionals abroad also enjoy high pay, particularly in corporate and entertainment industries. The earning power of both courses abroad depends heavily on specialization, experience, and location.

Which Course is Better in Nigerian Polytechnics?

For polytechnic students in Nigeria, Mass Communication is often seen as the better option because of its flexibility. Graduates are not limited to one career path and can venture into journalism, advertising, PR, digital marketing, or media production.

Public Relations, while respected, is more specialized and may not give graduates as many opportunities as Mass Communication. Unless students are passionate about reputation management and corporate communication, PR may appear more limiting compared to Mass Communication.

Which Course is Better Abroad?

Abroad, Mass Communication still offers wider opportunities than PR because of its broad coverage of media, advertising, and digital communication. PR graduates abroad can succeed, but the competition is high, and most companies prefer candidates who also have experience in broader media practices.

Therefore, Mass Communication gives a student more options when it comes to working abroad, while PR may be best for those who are deeply interested in image management and branding.

Final Verdict: Mass Communication or Public Relations?

Both Mass Communication and Public Relations are valuable courses, but the choice depends on a student’s career goals.

Mass Communication is broader, flexible, and highly marketable in both Nigeria and abroad. It suits students who want to keep their options open in the media industry and possibly branch into areas like advertising, PR, or digital marketing.

Public Relations is narrower but powerful for students passionate about brand management, corporate communication, and building public trust. It can be rewarding, but it may not offer as many career paths as Mass Communication.