Learn about various marketing careers, and see which marketing career is the best for your skills and goals.
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Marketing careers attract creative and driven individuals. Though most marketing jobs are specialized, marketing typically draws on your ability to match perception of the market with achievable plans of action.
Best suited for self-starters who can manage multiple tasks, a career in marketing can be demanding, but the field rewards merit and performance. Long hours are not uncommon and traveling to meet with clients is often required.
Generally requiring creative thought, intuition about people and trends, and an analytical mind, marketing careers tend to pay better than the national average, and many positions offer substantial benefit and bonus packages. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the need for marketing professionals will increase faster than qualified applicants enter the market.
The marketing field covers a broad range of career paths, from the creative to the analytical. At the entry level, you find media buyers responsible for purchasing advertising time and materials. At smaller companies, marketing specialists handle that task, and they also provide promotional copy and package design and help with marketing strategy. Public relations assistants help relate a company's goals to the public, through press releases, research, press coordination and events.
These entry-level marketing career paths may lead to a job in product or brand management, in which you would be responsible for the success of a brand in a competitive marketplace. Or you may decide to go into market research, the information-gathering arm of marketing. Experienced marketing professionals often start their own businesses or go into senior positions at companies or marketing firms—such prestigious jobs are available only to those who have demonstrated exceptional performance, however. The marketing field is demanding and competitive, but offers great rewards for those with talent and the drive to excel.
The marketing field is fiercely competitive, so those interested in a marketing career should invest in a 4-year degree, with an emphasis in communications, marketing and public relations course work. Communication skills are essential to every marketing career, and the ability to work on a team is critical. Beyond these general skills, it's important to get a good foundation of work experience. Start as soon as you can, interning while in school and picking up connections wherever you go.
Some marketing careers require more specific skill sets. Package design, copy production and promotions design are just a few careers in marketing require the ability to think creatively, quickly and on demand. Market research and demographic research depend on people's ability to think analytically and draw connections and patterns based on detailed data. People who excel in public relations and brand management have the exceptional ability to balance creativity, attention to detail and strategic thinking. Higher level positions on the marketing career track require employees to have budgeting skills, a flair for negotiation and a talent for coordinating people to work well together.
Northeastern University - College of Business Administration
Northeastern offers its AACSB-accredited MBA program in a 100% online format. They are a world leader in practice-based education focused on expanding students' managerial skills and knowledge base.
Walden University - School of Management
Walden University has unique and flexible online delivery models, world-class faculty and customizable programs which are all geared to help adult learners achieve their career goals.
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible for working students through convenient campus locations and flexible online classes. Get a real-world education with real value.
