General Description:  Want to help a small business gain the attention of the media?  Are you a terrific writer who could assist a company in generating positive press?  Could you organize a splashy gala for a non-profit ito help them gain the attention of big donors?  If so, you might want to consider a career in PR. 

According to the PRSA, the PR industry trade group, "Many of today's senior public relations professionals began their careers as journalists.  To a far lesser extent, experience in general business, marketing, advertising and selling is considered useful for public relations work.  Sometimes work in specialized fields-such as finance, engineering, medicine and public or educational administration-can provide valuable background for a particular public relations position.  Outside activities-freelance writing, community organization work, election and fund campaigning, public speaking-are often looked upon favorably as supporting experience."

PR is considered a growth industry.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of public relations specialists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for public relations specialists in organizations of all types and sizes (and, in the wake of corporate scandals, good PR is more important then ever).  Employment in public relations firms should grow as firms hire contractors to provide public relations services rather than support full-time staff."

Options for Flexibility:  Flexibility depends upon the nature of your assignments.  Projects requiring intense crisis management or 24/7 availability to meet with the press can be both unpredictable and stressful.  On the other hand, writing press releases, developing a PR strategy or helping a company to refine its image can be performed on a much more flexible basis.   

Resources for Further Exploration:

Associations:

Public Relations Society of America 

International Public Relations Association

Media Bistro (this site lists  jobs for people in the media industry -- gives you a good sense of the types of opportunities available in this field.)