Many people think of marketing much the same way as they do sales- but a marketing degree is about much more than just selling things. In fact, the increasing world of e-commerce and the sluggish economy have made people with a marketing degree some of the most sought after employees in the world of business. Marketing professionals take an active role in marketing everything from products to people, and the increased competition among businesses everywhere means that people who can effectively bring in customers are the most valuable in any company. So what can you do with a marketing degree? The answer is that you will be in demand at any business that sells a product or service.
In order to get into the marketing field, you will likely need an associate’s degree for entry level positions and a bachelor’s degree for professional positions- particularly if you want to earn a high salary. Those who continue on to complete a master’s degree will find that they are eligible for management positions in many companies. While earning a marketing degree is a smart career choice for students of all ages, many colleges report that they are seeing a rapid increase in the number of working adults who are returning to complete a master’s degree. This is one of the reasons that online degree programs in marketing are so popular- they allow you to earn your degree even when you are already working in your chosen field.
Entering the work force after earning a marketing degree will allow you to start working in a number of fields- popular choices include print media like newspapers and magazines, radio, television, internet and online firms, manufacturing companies, and many more. Virtually any company that needs to advertise and sell a product or service will hire a marketing professional to work with their company. This can be a great way for you to turn a hobby or interest into a full-time job- after all, if you are working on something that interests you, you will be one of the best people to market that product! Often, even people who are entering the field for the first time after earning their degree can be hired as a marketing manager. These professionals are responsible for evaluating and promoting the item that a company sells. Marketing managers work with the sales department to help come up with ideas for advertising campaigns, generate new customers, and help decide who a product should be marketed to. Marketing managers work with the public relations department as well, becoming part of the team that creates sales information, advertisements for television and print, product displays, packaging, and more. Marketing managers also keep an eye on their competition to find out what their competitors are doing and figure out ways to make their product even better.
With salaries in many other areas falling, good marketing people can make impressive salaries- in 2006, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics placed the median annual salary for marketing managers at almost $100,000. Working in marketing is a fun, fast paced career that is ideal for creative, outgoing people who want to help their company succeed. So instead of asking what can you do with a marketing degree, you may want to ask when you can start working on your degree!