APR vs MBA

I’ve been thinking about continuing my education for quite some time. I believe in life-long education and development through getting real life and work experience, reading books, networking, learning from professionals, webinars, seminars and all kinds of sources available. It is an investment in yourself, your career and your business.

When it comes to formal education, stakes might be high. First, it is expensive, takes lots of time and effort, and the application process is not something you can do in a day or two with just payment.

That’s why, I started looking into options. One thing I came across is becoming an APR (Accredited in Public Relations). This thing really interested me. It is done within PRSA, and is for now the only recognized accreditation for PR professionals in the States. Yes, accreditation in the field is not required, that’s why it is all volunteer.

I did some research online to find out the value of APR. Interestingly enough, pros and cons are the same as in the case of getting Masters. It is really 50/50: some people say “Go for it: it will boost up your career and will be good for your credentials”, others recommend to focus on gaining more practical experiences than collecting certificates and diplomas.

Both are right. I know people with no PR education and great results, people with PR education and poor results, and people with PR education and great results. It is all individual. Nevertheless, for me, as a PR professional trying to build my career in a new country a paper from a local educational institution or professional organization would be a good added value to my resume.

What’s the difference between MBA and APR?