Marketing Degree

Marketing, which is one of the more popular subspecialties of business, focuses on consumer preferences, how to study them and how to shape them. Because the marketing field is an important subset of business studies, job applicants with a marketing degree have a distinct advantage over competitors and can expect to be paid well for their expertise in this area.

Marketing programs are available at the community college and university levels, so students can earn an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree. Ambitious students can pursue a doctorate in Marketing, which is offered by some of our nation’s best business schools, including the Harvard Business School.

Marketing has evolved this past decade to meet the needs of a changing world. Today’s sophisticated consumers have become more resistant to traditional advertising messages. Marketing has become even more essential to business strategy since media and communications evolved from a passive to a more interactive experience.

Because of this, today’s marketing programs must focus on how new media and social networking are changing patterns of consumer behavior. Brand management is an important concept not only for companies but also for famous people, cities, states and even nations.

Earning a marketing degree can lead to an exciting career that offering a range of experiences, from international travel to telecommuting. Marketing is appealing because it mixes business, economics, psychology and even anthropology. Having a background in any of these fields would serve business school students and graduates well as they embark on careers in marketing.

Marketing Degree Programs

A marketing degree often helps candidates get their foot in the door with an employer. Nearly every type of business and many schools, non-profit organizations, and government agencies use marketing professionals to help attract, satisfy, and retain customers.

A career in marketing is one where the advancement often takes time and solid work experience. There are many entry-level marketing jobs available for individuals who have attained a two-year associate’s degree in marketing. An associate’s degree in marketing means the student has learned the basics of marketing, how to analyze market trends, and how to interpret consumer behavior. There is a need for entry-level marketing professionals; however, competition for advanced positions is steep, making career advancement a challenge without a higher level of education.

Most bachelor’s degree marketing programs prepare students for many marketing positions, whether they are in advertising, public relations, media, brand management, market research, social network marketing, or competitive analysis. In a bachelor’s degree marketing program, one can expect coursework to include: marketing, consumer behavior, accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, visual arts, communication, and market research.

Competition for high-level, high-paying marketing positions is fierce, and it is very difficult to get one of these coveted positions without an advanced marketing degree. A master’s degree with a marketing concentration, or a concentration in one of the marketing disciplines, is most helpful when looking to compete for those high-ranking marketing positions.

An advanced marketing degree may be worth the investment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers earn an average of $108,580 a year. Public relations managers earn an average of $89,430, and advertising and promotion managers earn $80,220 annually.

Marketing Careers

Marketing is the process by which a company or organization generates interest in its product or service. Marketers identify, attract, and maintain customer relationships. Marketing is a very broad field comprised of several interrelated disciplines. The marketing disciplines, such as advertising, public relations, market research, media planning, sales and marketing strategy, competitive analysis, and communications work together to create, manage, and enhance a brand’s image.

Regardless of the marketing career, there are certain skills that are required in order to succeed. Sought-after skills for marketing careers include: excellent communication, creativity, innovation, and visual arts. The latest trend in marketing careers is integrating social media into an organization’s overall marketing strategy. Candidates with strong computer skills and who are savvy with social media trends will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

Most marketing careers require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The most valued degrees for those in marketing careers are: marketing, public relations, communications, or journalism depending on the specialization.

Marketing careers can be lucrative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary for a marketing manager is $108,580 per year. A public relations manager earns an average of $89,430 annually, and an advertising and promotion manager earns a yearly salary of $80,220.