Career paths and jobs for masters in Marketing grads usually include managerial positions. These are among the highest-paying and in-demand jobs in business, making marketing an excellent career choice for many students.
An individual with an undergraduate degree qualifies for an entry-level position in marketing. However, a master’s degree in the subject can open up even more doors at top companies. Here are five careers students who obtain a master’s in marketing can consider.
Career Options For Holders of a Master’s in Marketing
- Public Relations Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Market Research Analyst
1. Public Relations Manager
One master’s in the marketing career path is that of a public relations manager. These professionals command six-figure salaries on average and are vital to cultivating a good image for a particular organization in the public eye. Some of their duties may include creating press releases, giving press conferences, managing customer support teams, overseeing employee training for better customer interaction, and more. A bachelor’s degree is the base requirement for becoming a public relations manager, although some jobs (and often the better ones) require a master’s degree.
Public Relations Managers can earn an optional certification through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Candidates must have relevant experience and education and also pass an exam to earn the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential. In addition, there are two other credentials PR professionals can earn from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The Communication Management Professional (CMP®) and the Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP®) demonstrate competence in communication.
Average Salary: $119,860 per year
Job Growth: 8% (BLS)
2. Digital Marketing Manager
A marketing manager is a coveted position in most organizations, which means competition for jobs can be intense. However, a master’s in marketing can give graduates an upper hand over managers with other backgrounds when trying to land a job as a marketing manager. Digital marketing is in a league of its own in the modern business world. Because so much of a company’s marketing efforts are online, specialists in digital marketing are in high demand. So, students with skills and focus should consider a career as a digital marketing manager. A digital manager may plan, implement, and analyze a marketing strategy. These digital marketing strategies may include content marketing, SEO optimization, social media marketing, online advertising, and also digital customer outreach.
The future of marketing is expansive. As a result, the skills that a master’s degree teaches online learners are in high demand. However, certifications can also help advance a career in digital marketing. For example, the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA™) certification for Digital Marketers is an industry-standard. Below are other areas of expertise and high-demand skill sets for digital marketers and marketing managers.
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Email Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Paid Search
- Search Engine Optimization
- Web Analytics
This career is expected to be in demand in the future because companies understand how vital marketing is to their survival as an organization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this profession should grow 10 percent through 2031.
Average Salary: $133,380
Job Growth: 10% (BLS)
3. Sales Manager
These professionals focus on increasing sales for their companies by working with both their company’s sales representatives and outside distributors. For example, a business-to-business (B2B) sales manager may work for a manufacturer and sell to a wholesaler or vice versa. So, they oversee sales from one business to another. Similarly, a business-to-consumer (B2C) sales manager typically works in retail. They manage sales between businesses and individual consumers. Sales managers often have a lot of interpersonal interactions, so this is a good career choice for students with strong interpersonal skills who enjoy interacting with people.
Sales managers can earn very high salaries due to commissions and bonuses if they are highly skilled at their jobs. To be good at their jobs, sales managers must remain up-to-date on marketing trends, product information, and sales techniques. They also must set sales goals, monitor sales representative teams, and deeply understand customer needs.
Average Salary: $127,500 per year
Job Growth: 5% (BLS)
4. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Often the highest marketing position at a company, it should come as no surprise that an advanced degree is usually required to get a job as a CMO. Chief marketing officers direct all marketing efforts in the company. This is a position where several years of experience in marketing are almost always necessary. However, small startups may offer recent graduates a job with little prior experience so long as the applicant has proven success in marketing.
In addition to a deep understanding of marketing principles, these leaders also need excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They should have superb analytical skills and the ability to lead and inspire a team. The average salary CMO salary in the US is over $200,000. However, the wages for a corporate executive vary depending on the organization and the individual’s experience and education.
Average Salary: $200,000 or more per year
Job Growth: 6% (BLS)
5. Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts study business conditions and consumer preferences to assess potential product sales. They use this information to help companies understand the products people want to buy and how much they will pay for them. Companies prefer market research analysts to have a master’s degree in marketing or a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). There are entry-level positions with a bachelor’s degree. However, leadership positions or ones that require technical research typically need a master’s degree or higher.
Certifications demonstrate competency to current and future employers. For example, there are several certifications the Insights Association offers for market research analysts. These include the IPC Principal and the IPC Master. Candidates must have experience and also pass the exam.
Average Salary: $75,000 per year
Job Growth: 19% (BLS)
Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Marketing?
Marketing is the field of business that deals with promoting and selling products and services. It involves attracting potential customers and clients to the brand’s product. The four Ps of Marketing Mix are the product, price, place, and promotion. These are the tools and methodologies marketing professionals use to achieve marketing objectives.
This interdisciplinary field touches on business administration, communications, analytics, psychology, and other subject areas. With a master’s degree, marketing professionals can choose from many areas of focus in this highly varied field.
For example, a Junior Associate is an entry-level position on a marketing team. These marketing professionals work with a company’s global social media team. They help develop digital marketing campaigns and implement social programs that meet the needs of the business.
What Do You Learn in a Marketing Program?
A typical master’s degree program requires 30 to 36 credits and takes most full-time students one or two years to complete. Most schools also have part-time options and online programs.
The first part of a master’s program includes core classes in various marketing topics. Students then take more advanced classes and also choose elective courses. These classes are often in a concentration or specialization and cover marketing topics that align with the student’s career objectives. Below are some of the classes and topics of study graduate marketing students may take.
- Consumer Marketing / Market Trends
- Consumer Behavior and the Brand Manager
What Type of Marketing Degree Should You Earn?
There are a few different ways to enter the marketing field. Some typical master’s degrees in Marketing include graduate degrees in business, communications, public relations, or a related field.
MBA in Marketing
A Master of Business Administration in Marketing teaches industry-specific information emphasizing financial concepts. Graduates often work in the tech, finance, and healthcare sectors.
MS in Communications
A Master of Science in Communications focuses on communications and online media. Some areas include content marketing, digital media, and also journalism.
MA in Public Relations
A Master of Arts in Public Relations covers a range of courses in public relations, broadcasting news media, research and writing, and also content marketing. Graduates may find roles in new media and also media relations.
What Specializations can You Earn with a Marketing Masters?
There are areas of concentration or specialization that individuals can earn with a master’s in marketing. Below are some of the popular ones available to graduate students.
- Marketing Research
- Sales Leadership Concentration
- Digital Marketing Concentration
- Audience Data
- Content Creation
- Inclusive Leadership
- Media Entrepreneurship
- Media Literacy
- International Marketing / Global Marketing
- Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations
- Merchandising and Buying Operations
- Retailing and Retail Operations
- Fashion Merchandising
- Marketing Management
- Tourism and Travel Marketing Operations
What is the Job Outlook with a Master’s Degree in Marketing?
The marketing landscape is filled with job prospects for individuals with a deep understanding of the field and marketing skills. Every company trying to make money uses marketing strategies, practices, and principles. And brand messaging is everywhere. So, marketing is one of the fastest-growing career paths in the world because it is in demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects marketing jobs to grow faster than the national average. Professionals who work in marketing provide insights and marketing analytics. In addition, several high-paying marketing jobs require a master’s degree in marketing.
Your Marketing Career
Marketing is a dynamic field with many different career options to choose from. Students are bound to discover one that suits their skill set and preferences. There are quite a few career paths a master’s in marketing graduate can pursue. Do you have a creative side and a keen eye for trends? Then you may be a good fit for marketing or a similar field.
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