摘要：The aim of this paper is to highlight the impact higher education programs have on students’ perception of the public relations profession. Our research hypothesis was based on the supposition that acquiring knowledge and competences would engage students and strengthen their awareness of the chosen profession, thus becoming more goal-oriented and enthusiastic about their careers in public relations. The survey targeted students of the three most important Communication and Public Relations programs in Western Romania. The questionnaires reached more than 700 students, but around one out of five students offered valid answers. The results show that while 90% of the questioned 1st year students believe they have a chance to build a career in PR, less than 72% of the 3rd year students still think that. The conclusions of this research include recommendations regarding the steps that should be taken in order to prepare students for a smooth school-to-work transition and for matching awareness of the future profession with realistic expectations regarding the opportunities on the work market in the field of public relations.
关键词：Public relations, PR profession, PR programs, higher education, Western Romania
