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How to Start a Career in PR in Indonesia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Public Relations (PR) is a dynamic, fast-growing field in Indonesia, offering exciting opportunities across industries—from media and tech to government and NGOs. If you’re passionate about communication, storytelling, and building brand reputation, a career in PR could be the perfect fit. This guide will walk you through how to start a career in PR Indonesia, including the skills you need, education paths, and job-hunting tips.


🌟 Why Choose a Career in PR in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s booming digital economy, expanding media landscape, and increasing emphasis on corporate communication have made PR professionals more valuable than ever. Companies are looking for skilled communicators who can handle brand reputation, media relations, crisis management, and digital PR.

Key Reasons to Enter PR in Indonesia:

  • High demand across industries

  • Fast-paced, creative work environment

  • Opportunities in both local and multinational firms

  • Great potential for career growth and networking


🎓 Step 1: Get the Right Education

Recommended Majors:

  • Communication Studies

  • Public Relations

  • Media & Journalism

  • Marketing or Business Communication

Top Indonesian Universities for PR & Communications:

  • Universitas Indonesia (UI)

  • Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)

  • Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)

  • Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH)

You can also explore online PR certifications from platforms like Coursera, HubSpot, or Google Digital Garage to boost your resume.


🛠️ Step 2: Build Core PR Skills

To thrive in the Indonesian PR industry, you’ll need both soft and technical skills.

Essential PR Skills:

  • Strong writing & speaking skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English

  • Media relations & press release writing

  • Crisis communication strategy

  • Digital PR (social media, SEO, influencer marketing)

  • Event planning & project management

  • Public speaking and interpersonal communication

Tools to Learn:

  • Canva (for press kits & presentations)

  • Hootsuite or Buffer (for social media scheduling)

  • Google Analytics (for campaign tracking)


💼 Step 3: Gain Practical Experience

Start With:

  • Internships at PR agencies or in-house PR departments

  • Volunteer roles handling communication for events or NGOs

  • Writing for student media, blogs, or online publications

  • Attending PR industry events and seminars

Popular PR Firms in Indonesia:

  • Maverick Indonesia

  • Fortune PR

  • Kiroyan Partners

  • Weber Shandwick Indonesia

  • Edelman Indonesia

Many of them offer internship programs or entry-level roles.


📈 Step 4: Build Your Personal Brand

In PR, how you present yourself is everything. Create a strong online presence to show you practice what you preach.

Ways to Build Credibility:

  • Create a LinkedIn profile with examples of your work

  • Write thought-leadership posts or articles on PR trends

  • Join communication and PR communities in Indonesia (like Perhumas)

  • Follow Indonesian PR blogs and industry news


🧭 Step 5: Apply Strategically

Once you have a solid foundation, start applying for entry-level positions like:

  • PR Assistant

  • Media Relations Officer

  • Communication Executive

  • Digital PR Coordinator

  • Content Specialist

Customize your CV and portfolio with measurable achievements (e.g., “Grew Instagram engagement by 45% in 3 months”).

Use local job platforms such as:

  • Jobstreet.co.id

  • Kalibrr

  • LinkedIn Indonesia

  • Glints


💡 Bonus Tips: Stay Updated & Keep Learning

The PR landscape in Indonesia changes quickly. Stay on top of trends by:

  • Following PR influencers and agencies on Instagram or LinkedIn

  • Subscribing to PR and digital marketing newsletters

  • Joining webinars or online PR training

Starting a career in PR in Indonesia takes passion, persistence, and adaptability. Whether you begin with an internship or jump straight into an entry-level role, focusing on communication skills, industry knowledge, and real-world experience will set you apart. With the right strategy, you can grow into a respected PR professional and make a big impact in the world of media and brand communication.