You may become a community relations coordinator by first completing a four-year college degree. To improve your chances of competing with other qualified candidates, consider gaining at least three years work experience in a job that exposes you to public relations. Volunteer experience may also help you prepare to work in community relations. After completing the basic education and experience requirements, begin applying to become a community relations coordinator by inquiring with your local community departments about available positions.
Many people become a community relations coordinator by majoring in public relations, communications or some other related field. Most employers require eligible candidates to have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher for this type of work. While obtaining a formal education, gaining experience by volunteering with community agencies or working on public relations campaigns may help.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, employers generally prefer applicants to have at least three to four years work experience. This experience does not have to be in a coordinator’s position, but should show significant exposure to public relations, advertising, event planning and working with community projects. While consideration may be given to volunteer experience, many employers prefer candidates who also have paid experience working in this capacity.
Besides education and experience, some of the natural abilities you may want to improve on include the ability to communicate well in verbal and written forms, as well as the ability to work well with other people. Being comfortable meeting new people and speaking to groups in public is also an asset. Possessing strong leadership skills and displaying comfort in teaching new concepts to other people may also help you become a community relations coordinator.
Some of the community relations coordinator duties you may be asked to perform include designing websites and creating brochures and other media tools. It is, therefore, a good idea to learn how to perform these tasks before you apply to become a community relations coordinator. As a lot of the communication between a coordinator, other employees and the public takes place by electronic media, having a working familiarity with the Internet and email may also increase your chances of becoming a community relations coordinator.
Depending on where you intend to become a community relations coordinator, being fluent in more than one language may give you an advantage over other applicants. While looking for an open position, you may also want to consider spending time volunteering to work with community departments that are hosting special events in your area. Doing so will help you network with key employees while gathering knowledge and information about these departments and the people who work in them. Often times, this type of networking will help you become a community relations coordinator in your own area.