If you are interested in a diverse and exciting career that is full of opportunities in the future, then you should look into marketing employment. A marketing career can take you in many directions, but you will find that all marketing professionals have one thing in common: They promote services or products to various audiences. In this article you will learn about marketing employment, including average salary range and what it takes to succeed in this varied industry.
Description for Marketing Employment
A marketing professional’s main job is to promote a specific service or product line. Marketing employment is very diverse because based on the service or product the professional is promoting, different promotional tools will be required. These promotional tools can include advertising, public relations, media planning, sales strategy, and more.
Marketing professional are often prolific writers, great presenters, creative thinkers, and intuitive souls. Marketing professionals must be able to quickly become familiar with certain products or services they may know nothing about.
The path to marketing employment begins with a four-year bachelor’s degree. Most aspiring marketing professionals choose to major in business with an emphasis on marketing. However, there are other options, including majoring in journalism, advertising, or public relations.
While the prospective marketing professional is in college, it is highly recommended he or she undertakes an internship to gain experience in the industry. Many students choose to work in the college’s marketing department for an internship, while others choose to go outside the school and pursue other opportunities. Despite the fact that many internships are not paid, the resume-building experience is priceless. Today, recent graduates seeking marketing employment need a lot more than just a degree, and that extra boost can be provided by interning.
Marketing Employment Career
Marketing professionals have two main outlets they can work for: an organization or a marketing/publicity agency. Within an organization, marketing professionals specifically work to promote the products or service lines of that one, specific organization. In an agency, a marketing professional works to promote the agency’s clients, not one specific business.
In an organization, entry-level marketing professionals usually start their careers as specialists. After about five years of experience, the specialist becomes a manager. When the marketing manager hits ten to fifteen years of experience, he or she usually is promoted to a director position. After the professional reaches the director level, they are considered an executive. After more than twenty years of service, the professional could look to a vice president role. While many organizations follow this linage, some of the names and titles and requirements are different and are based on the organization’s size.
In an agency, the entry-level marketing professional starts as an assistant account executive, and then, after five years of experience, is usually eligible to move into an account executive role. The next step, after about ten years, would be a senior account executive. After this step, and with more years of experience, there is a chance that the professional could become a partner in the agency.
Salary and Benefits for Marketing Employment
Salaries for marketing professionals varies greatly, largely due to the fact that jobs are so diverse. But, in general, marketing professionals can expect to earn competitive salaries based on their amount of experience. The average salary range for an entry-level professional is $30,000-$48,000. For mid-range professionals, the range increases to $43,000-$62,000. For those professionals with management experience, the range is $60,000-$110,000.
Of course, it’s important to understand that salaries are heavily influenced by the area’s living wage. But, having said that, marketing salaries are pretty comparable throughout the world. In some cases, when the marketing professional is involved in sales, a commission can also be collected.
Opportunities for Marketing Employment
Marketing jobs are highly desired and are sought by many, resulting in high competition. College graduates with related experience, a high level of creativity, and strong communication skills have the best job opportunities. Employers are particularly seeking professionals who have marketing experience and management backgrounds.
More and more, employers are also looking for marketing professionals who have experience in new media, including social networking and blogging. Additionally, with tight economic times, professionals who have a background in media relations will have an extra leg-up, because media coverage is virtually free advertising.
Agencies and Resources for Marketing Employment
Check out these three resources to learn more about careers in marketing:
The Business Marketing Association
This agency helps improve professionals’ abilities to manage business-to-business marketing for greater productivity and profitability by providing unique access to information, ideas and the experience of peers.
Check them out at www.marketing.org.
Public Relations Society of America
This agency supports those professionals in the public relations sector of marketing by providing local chapters, special events and national seminars. Visit Public Relations Society of America at www.prsa.org.
Http://marketing.about.com/
This website features a guide who specializes in assisting those who are interested in embarking on a career in marketing. The guide has written many informative articles. Surf over to http://marketing.about.com/ to take a look.
Conclusion Marketing Employment
Marketing is a fast-paced and creative career that will provide many with a sense of fulfillment. Thanks to a competitive salary, great benefits, and normal business hours, it’s truly a very great position for men and women alike. The diversity of the career appeals to a wide variety of people, and therefore, can be quite competitive. But, by putting forth much effort, you can obtain the dream marketing position you have always wanted. Good luck as you pursue marketing employment.
