Marketing is key to understanding how to grab people’s attention, shape brand stories, and navigate the ever-changing landscape of consumer behavior. A career in marketing isn’t just about ads, it’s about being at the forefront of influence, connecting products with people, and enjoying a path filled with constant learning and innovation.
In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, 60% of 500 16 to 21-year-olds would consider a career in marketing, citing pay, career progression, creativity, and transferable skills as the key attractions.
If you’re intrigued by the power of persuasion and love the idea of crafting compelling narratives, read on to find out why studying marketing can set the stage for an exciting journey in modern business.
Benefits of pursuing a marketing degree
Availability of scholarships
For many college-aged Americans, the cost of obtaining a degree is a major deciding factor. A report from Education Data reveals that, on average, public university students borrow $32,367 to afford a bachelor’s degree. However, due to the increasing demand for digital marketing skills, students pursuing marketing degrees may find substantial financial aid opportunities to offset the costs of their education, whether in the US or abroad. For instance, the Albacross Digital Marketing Scholarship hosted by Albacross in Sweden is offered yearly to students of any level at any college or university. The scholarship is worth about $1,094 and can be used to cover tuition fees, accommodation costs, health insurance, visa fees, and more.
Develop a wide range of skills
A marketing degree equips you with several transferrable skills that can be used across a variety of fields. These include but are not limited to critical thinking, data analysis, time management, project management, and effective communication, all of which are vital in order to become a well-rounded professional capable of adding value to many business settings. Moreover, professionals studying marketing learn about topics that inform consumer behavior, such as human psychology. By employing these skills to better understand customers, marketers can thus form effective strategies focused on attracting consumers’ attention to their products or services.
Diverse career opportunities
The array of valuable skills you can learn from pursuing a marketing degree means that you can have a career in a variety of industries. Additionally, there are quite a few roles that fall within the marketing field, from content marketers who are more involved in the creative side of marketing to social media coordinators whose role is to establish a company’s presence on social platforms to brand managers. Brand managers are tasked with monitoring marketing trends to ensure that the product or service offered resonates with current and potential customers. They often also serve as the point-person for various marketing initiatives and may also oversee a team of junior marketers. Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics states that overall employment in the advertising, promotions, and marketing management sphere is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
High earning potential
The starting salary is by no means low for marketing graduates. An entry-level position as a social media coordinator, for instance, can equal earnings of up to $40,000, while experienced marketing specialists can make as much as $52,000 per year. But the potential future salary is far more impressive, with chief marketing officers making around $174,000 a year on average. If you choose a marketing profession, career growth could see you earning serious money later on in your career.
A career in marketing can be exciting, fast-paced, and full of unique opportunities. Ultimately, as long as businesses exist, there will always be a demand for knowledgeable marketing professionals who can enhance a company’s sales strategies and public perception and help organizations meet their goals.
