Marketing is a key component of any successful customer-facing organization. A skilled marketing team is tasked with finding innovative ways to communicate the benefits of a product or service to the public. As a marketing specialist, you draw upon your skills in communication, writing and critical thinking to craft and execute a marketing strategy that will yield great success for your organization – and yourself.
While today students can benefit from the innovation of online marketing courses, this field dates back to the 20th century as a theory for businesses and organizations to begin attracting more and more customers to the products and services they offer. The business world truly recognized the power of marketing after World War II, when many organizations began consolidating various areas of the field (e.g., public relations, advertising, sales, etc.) into a single marketing department.
These days, it is almost impossible to master every aspect of the field without a great deal of experience and education. Marketing specialists are expected to quickly grasp the challenges faced by businesses and organizations today and devise practical solutions to fulfill their marketing needs. This requires you to have the skills and wherewithal to craft a marketing strategy that attracts and fosters relationships with an organization's target audience.
Sample Courses
Below are some sample marketing courses all students can expect to take while at university. It should be noted that many of these courses may also be taken as a part of a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum with an emphasis in marketing.
- The Principles of Marketing
- Marketing Analysis and Research
- Advertising and Promotion
- Consumer Behavior
- Global Marketing Management
- Digital Marketing
- Brand Management
- Business to Business Marketing
- Customer Relationship Management
Possible Specializations
Since the field of marketing is rather broad, there are several opportunities for students to specialize. In many cases, specialization is required to stand out from other qualified professionals in today's job market. Some possible specializations include digital marketing, international marketing and marketing management.
A specialization in digital marketing prepares you to take advantage of technology and social media for optimally marketing products and services via digital mediums. International marketing focuses on marketing theories and practices that apply internationally and cross-culturally. A marketing management specialization prepares you for a career in managing teams or entire departments.
Degree Types
As mentioned above, earning a degree in marketing can be accomplished independently or as part of a larger academic curriculum, such as an MBA program. While the latter route will educate you on the fundamentals of business administration, earning a degree in marketing itself is just as valuable, if not more so, to employers who are looking to hire the best and brightest in the field.
Some possible degree types in the marketing field include an Associate of Arts in Marketing, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, a master's in marketing, a Master's of Business Administration in Marketing, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Marketing. Earning a Ph.D. in marketing is also a great option for those looking to specialize on a much deeper level or teach at a college or university.
Ideal Candidates for Marketing
First and foremost, students in the marketing field must have an uncanny ability to confidently research and communicate the value of a product or service offered by a business or organization. Keep in mind, when it comes to attracting the attention of potential customers, a marketing specialist must be able to compile data and translate this into an effective marketing strategy, all without missing a beat when it comes to the organization's goals and sales processes.
In order to communicate well with their target audiences, marketers should be well connected and in touch with the latest trends of their particular niche or society as a whole.
This informative resource hosted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a more in-depth view of marketing roles and the qualities candidates should possess. These include strong analytical skills, creativity, decision-making, interpersonal skills and management experience.
Career Pathways
Today, marketing remains one of the most vibrant and stable fields. According to the BLS, the expected job growth for Marketing Managers and other marketing specialists is a robust 14% over this decade. Job growth for Marketing Research Analysts, on the other hand, is expected to grow by an astounding 41%. Median salaries for marketing roles are also very competitive, with a range between $60,000 and $108,000 per year.
As long as businesses continue to thrive, the need for highly qualified marketing specialists to promote their brands will always be there. This is especially true for those who choose to specialize in marketing research and analysis. If you have the creativity, analytical skills and confidence to convince the public of the benefits of a product or service, a career in marketing may be an excellent option.
