What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree?

There are many career paths available for marketing majors. You can be in any industry you wish since your course is premised on understanding people and their preferences. Whenever there’s a need to work with people and persuade them, there are jobs for marketing degree majors.

What Is a Marketing Major?

A marketing major is an education pathway that specializes in marketing. There are many such paths: aspiring marketers can attend a marketing bootcamp or pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in marketing. Students in these programs usually deal with product creation, branding, and strategizing to get people to buy a product. Developing a marketing strategy is one of the main skills to learn.  

How to Become a Marketer: Marketing Education Options 

There are many levels of education when it comes to mastering marketing skills. Aspiring marketers can opt for the traditional method: go to a reputable university and earn your marketing degree in four years. You can also aim for an associate degree that usually lasts two years. Apart from these two options, you can also try going to a bootcamp, an intensive program that usually takes a few months to complete.

Marketing Bootcamp

The main advantage of attending a marketing bootcamp is that you’ll gain the skills and credentials you need to be a legitimate marketer in a short period. Bootcamps operate under an intensive curriculum due to the time constraints. In a matter of months, you will be taught how to make marketing campaigns that align with consumer behavior through hands-on projects. If you are already an established professional, you can attend a marketing bootcamp for some additional training that could give you access to better job opportunities and a higher annual salary.

Best Marketing Bootcamps

• Simplilearn
• BrainStation 
• Thinkful 
• General Assembly
• Code Fellows

Marketing Associate Degree 

An Associate Degree in Marketing is a shorter and cheaper program than a traditional university program. However, you will learn the analytical skills you need to land an entry-level job in the field. Marketing associate degrees generally last two years and are offered by community colleges. Marketing graduates from community colleges go on to have successful careers in the industry.

Best Associate Degree Programs in Marketing

• Post University – Associate of Science in Marketing 
• Southern New Hampshire University – Associate Degree in Marketing Online
• University of the People – Associate Degree in Business Administration, Major in Marketing
• North Central Technical College – Associate Degree in Digital Marketing
• Fortis College – Associate Degree in Business Marketing

Marketing Bachelor’s Degree

You can also take the traditional route, which is finishing a four-year degree from a university. In a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, you will be taught the basic and core principles of marketing and other business-related concepts. 

Each university has a different curriculum and subjects, so it’s best to choose your degree after extensive due diligence. There is a wide variety of marketing courses offered in university, so take your time when choosing to make sure you target the right knowledge and skills. 

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Marketing

• Colorado Technical University – Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
• Hult International Business School – Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
• Maryville University – Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication 
• University of Denver – Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Marketing
• Thomas Edison State University – Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management

Marketing Master’s Degree 

Earning a Master’s Degree in Marketing is a sign that the student is committed to this career path and keen to expand their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the field. A master’s degree usually takes two or more years to finish, but it can grant a competitive advantage in a range of careers in marketing. 

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Marketing

• Colorado State University –  Master’s Degree in Business Administration
• The University of Arizona – Master’s Degree in Marketing 
• Seton Hall University – Master’s Degree in Business Communication
• Syracuse University – Master’s Degree in Advertising
• Kogod School of Business, American University –  Master’s Degree in Marketing Management

Marketing Career Overview: Is a Marketing Career Worth It?

Marketing Job Outlook

The good news to all pursuing careers in marketing is that the field will enjoy a job outlook of 10 percent from 2020 to 2030. This is higher than the average by two percentage points. Students working toward a degree can expect a lucrative career in marketing ahead. 

Marketing Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for those in the marketing field is $141,490 per year. The lowest-earning 10 percent of professionals bring home around $68,940 a year, while the top 10 percent receive more than $208,000. This means that as you progress and earn more experience, you can significantly increase your annual salary.

Best Jobs for Marketing Majors: What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree?

A marketing major can be involved in sales, advertising, digital marketing, or even copywriting in a variety of industries. They manage the company’s marketing activities and can assume different roles such as marketing assistants, digital marketing specialists, and members of the sales team. 

Best Marketing Jobs for Coding Bootcamp Grads

Product Marketing Manager

• Average Salary: $91,848
• Job Outlook: 10%*

A product marketing manager is primarily tasked with developing novel and relevant marketing strategies to advance a product or service. They layout strategies to showcase the best features and benefits of a product to the target market to reach sales goals. They serve as the end users’ voice within the company, researching what sells and communicating it to the company.

UX Designer

• Average Salary: $74,869
• Job Outlook: 13%

UX designers optimize app and website user experiences. They work to improve usability to help solve end-user problems and make every visit pleasant. They are vital for ecommerce businesses because they help improve conversion rates.

Social Media Manager 

• Average Salary: $52,391
• Job Outlook: 10%* 

A social media manager is responsible for the brand or company’s social media engagement and content. Their end goal is to strengthen their online presence through content marketing and boosting the brand’s advertising campaigns. A social media manager also guides employees and sales staff on the best practices while also helping connect corporate objectives and engagement results.

Digital Copywriter

• Average Salary: $53,227
• Job Outlook: 9% 

Copywriters are responsible for writing captivating copy to make the reader or target market want to buy the product or service they’re selling. They write ads, websites, and emails with the intent of making the reader make a purchase. They need to understand the brand’s target market, what medium they use for interacting with each other, and what keywords they commonly use.

Market Research Analyst 

• Average Salary: $54,849
• Job Outlook: 22% 

This is a highly in-demand job because of the proliferation of ecommerce and the digital marketplace. Market research analysts study the existing market conditions to identify opportunities to sell a service or product. A market research analyst helps a company understand what the people want, who the target market is, and what price they are willing to pay for a specific product.

Best Jobs for Marketing Associate Degree Majors

Retail Sales Manager

• Average Salary: $52,528
• Job Outlook: 7%

Retail sales managers oversee a store’s operations. They ensure that the store has the best people to help them reach their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. As the operations head at the branch level, they coordinate and work with different departments, including the Chief Marketing Officer, to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They are also responsible for pushing the sale of goods and services at their level.

Public Relations Specialist

• Average Salary: $50,482
• Job Outlook: 11%

Public relations specialists act as the publicist of a brand or company. They also help in drafting the company’s communication plan and implementing it. They speak directly to the stakeholders to explain their stand or statement on a topic, issue, or problem concerning them. 

Event Promoter

• Average Salary: $50,094
• Job Outlook: 18%

An event promoter takes care of planning, marketing, and advertising an event. They design public relations strategies to ensure that events attract as many potential customers as possible. They also work with media agencies to let their target market know about the details of an event. These creative professionals must possess solid interpersonal skills and be familiar with organizational tools.

Advertising Sales Representative

• Average Salary: $39,618
• Job Outlook: 3%

Advertising sales representatives deal with the clients of advertising agencies directly. They are every customer’s point of contact, answering their questions and resolving their concerns. The nature of their job requires that they understand customer satisfaction, public opinion, and market demands.

Marketing Associate

• Average Salary: $48,553
• Job Outlook: 22%**

A marketing associate is one of the marketing analysts of the team, often tasked to assist in planning and executing an advertising and marketing plan. As junior staff,  they often conduct market research and discuss the result of such research with the marketing or brand manager.

Best Jobs for Marketing Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Brand Manager

• Average Salary: $71,386
• Job Outlook: 10%*

Brand managers are responsible for making the brand or product sellable to its target audience. To do this, the brand managers usually conduct in-depth research to determine who the target market is, how they behave, and what affects their purchasing decisions. A brand manager then uses this information to formulate advertising and marketing strategies to push the brand.

Media Planner

• Average Salary: $51,519
• Job Outlook: 10%*

Media planners schedule media activities. They curate messages or campaigns for distribution across different media. This means they must have a deep understanding of marketing trends. They also identify when the company’s marketing materials should be released and where they will be shared using their knowledge of industry trends and the latest marketing tools.

Fundraiser

• Average Salary: $51,905
• Job Outlook: 16%

Fundraisers solicit money to support causes. They usually work with non-profit organizations. They are responsible for marketing events and highlighting an organization’s purpose and track record to gather more donors. They also keep records of their existing and past donors, building a network that can offer more marketing opportunities. 

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Public Relations Representative

• Average Salary: $45,509
• Job Outlook: 11%*** 

Public relations representatives manage a company’s communication through careful planning while also promoting a positive image. They’re usually responsible for coming up with promotional materials like press releases, brochures, and media clips that resonate with the brand image. 

Admissions Representative

• Average Salary: $42,165
• Job Outlook: 11%

Admission representatives are tasked with marketing the school to prospective students. Their marketing efforts include introducing the school, pointing out its outstanding features, mentioning its course offerings, and guiding students in the decision-making and application processes. This role could be taken up by an in-house department or a third-party agency commissioned by the school.

Best Jobs for Marketing Master’s Degree Majors

Promotions Manager

• Average Salary: $54,639
• Job Outlook: 10%*

A promotions manager works directly with the customers or target audience, and also directs other members of a team who do the same. They oversee the promotions team to ensure that their strategies are appropriately carried and quotas are met.

Marketing Manager

• Average Salary: $66,802
• Job Outlook: 10%*

These marketing professionals oversee the entire marketing team, delegating tasks to people to achieve their common goal. In the marketing team, a marketing manager is the main focal person who can make decisions related to marketing. 

Digital Marketing Executive

• Average Salary: $68,136
• Job Outlook: 10%*

Digital marketing executives oversee and spearhead the planning, design, management, and implementation of digital marketing strategies. They work with junior digital marketers and other members of the marketing team. They also engage in product and content development using their knowledge of customer psychology.

Advertising Manager

• Average Salary: $66,802
• Job Outlook: 10%*

An advertising manager is the head of the advertising department, and they usually delegate tasks to their team members. They aim to improve the image of their product or services in the market. These marketing professionals are tasked with coming up with advertising materials that highlight the best features of the product or service they’re selling.

They also analyze the buyer’s response and make necessary tweaks to their ads to improve results. To become an advertising manager, leadership skills, strategic planning, and a solid marketing background are essential.

Social Media Specialist

• Average Salary: $45,803
• Job Outlook: 10%* 

Being in a managerial position, a social media specialist often works with other team members in curating social media content for a brand’s platform. They implement social media marketing strategies to ensure that they improve sales and brand image.

* Figure taken from BLS listing for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers

** Figure taken from BLS listing for market research analysts

*** Figure taken from BLS listing for public relations specialists

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Marketing

1. Invest in your education. Learn everything you can in school or at a bootcamp. Master the theories and best practices you learn for use in the field and practice later on. Read your favorite industry publications front to back and absorb as much knowledge as you can. With a solid foundation, there’s no reason you’ll have a hard time in actual practice. 
2. Get to know the company you’re applying to. Before you get hired, you’ll have to pass different interviews and stringent hiring processes. Make sure to research about the job, company values, mission, vision, and growth. See if these align with your personal values.
3. Build your portfolio. To give yourself a better fighting chance while climbing the corporate ladder, invest time in your portfolio. Grab opportunities to work in campaigns or projects that will give you a competitive advantage, document these projects, and use this to wow your prospective employers.

A marketing degree can lead to a host of career opportunities with strong projected growth and a high annual salary. Many are leadership positions that come with large compensation packages and status. If being around people, understanding their preferences, and working toward satisfying their needs is your calling, a marketing major is a right choice for you.