A recent (2017) study of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the unemployment rate for 20-24-year-olds, the age when many graduate from university and enter the workforce, is nearly twice that of all other age groups. The startling statistic suggests that more can be done to better prepare undergraduates for the workplace. This three-year study explores gaps in workplace preparation as identified by practitioners in the field of public relations. Based on job bank data from the Public Relations Society of America and interviews of industry leaders, this research emphasizes the imperative of student exposure to authentic work experiences for boosting graduate employability and further informing curriculum content and format. What practitioners feel to be important, what industry trends demand and what is achieved in the classroom broadly align with the best practice principles for work-integrated learning (WIL) programs.