Bachelor’s degree students can expect to study similar topics, although the concepts will not be geared towards individuals who have previous business experience. Undergraduate students will also take courses in economics, accounting and other business areas.
What skills will I need?
In addition to familiarity with business practices and strong analytical skills, marketing employees should have:
People skills: Whether you pitch products to upper-level executives or assist customers during sales, you need to know how to work with diverse groups of individuals. Understanding the needs of clients is crucial to your success, as is the ability to perform as part of a team.
Communication skills: As a marketer, you must be able to convey your ideas effectively and efficiently. You should be a proficient speaker and writer.
Creativity: Turn your ideas into marketing tools and you will become a valued employee. Creativity is one of the best pathways to success in marketing fields; if you can create a successful concept to sell a product, it may propel you into a position with greater responsibility.
The ability to work under pressure: Launching a new ad campaign or product can be extremely intense; unforeseen issues can arise at the last minute. You will be at a competitive advantage if you can meet impending deadlines quickly.
What careers do marketing students pursue?
Marketing MBAs have many career choices. According to the GMAC, some of the most prevalent include Market Research Analyst, Product Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales/Territory Manager and PR Manager. If you have strong finance skills, you can embark on a career in strategic planning. There are also countless opportunities in other fields, including communications, advertising and public relations. Finally, consulting firms may have positions in customer service management and new market development. Some popular career options include:
PR/Advertising: The rapidly-growing sectors of PR and advertising appeal to many new marketing MBA grads. As an employee in this field, you may have the opportunity to change how a product is depicted in advertisements. You could also work to improve perception of products by supervising how they are rolled out to the public. Your job title might be Creative Writer, Director of Advertising, or Production Manager. Creativity, composure under deadlines, and people skills are crucial to a successful PR or Advertising manager.
Market Research: Market research requires strong analytical skills and familiarity with cutting edge statistics programs. Through focus groups, surveys and product tests, you will analyze consumers’ buying habits and preferences in order to make your company’s products successful. Market researchers can work as consultants or within corporations and firms.
Non-Profit: In smaller non-profit organizations, you may receive greater levels of responsibility early in your career, which enables you to gain significant marketing experience. Creativity, the ability to multitask, the desire to make a positive difference, and strong communication skills are imperative to any non-profit marketer. Flexibility is also essential: hours fluctuate to accommodate important after-hours fundraisers and public meetings. Non-profit marketing MBAs might design newsletters and pamphlets, organize events, or plan fundraisers.
Product Management: Product managers must be savvy, experienced business professionals with tactical skills. You are responsible for a product’s development and marketing, from its package to its web ads. This position carries tremendous accountability, since the product manager’s choices can influence the entire company’s progress. Senior product managers may oversee several managers in other countries as they promote the product. Experience, comfort with computer programs and strong statistical analysis skills are required, and a Master’s degree is generally compulsory.
What’s the overall career outlook for this field?
Many experienced business professionals want to become marketing managers; as a result, the field is extremely competitive. Fortunately for recent graduates, employment of marketing, public relations and advertising managers is expected to increase over upcoming years. Corporations must compete on domestic and international levels, and they need marketing managers to increase customer interest. Prospective employers will pursue consultants and workers who are familiar with interactive marketing and media skills.
A 1999 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found the average starting salary of marketing majors to be approximately $31,900. Advertising majors made slightly less, averaging $26,600. Salary tends to be calculated based on a number of factors, including your education level, previous related experience, and amount of responsibility. The size of the firm and its industry type also make a difference: according to the GMAC, marketing, public relations and advertising managers in manufacturing firms tend to make more than their counterparts in other industries.