4 Distinct Paths for Becoming a Marketing Professional

A career in marketing is a solid choice in our increasingly digitized world, with nearly every company having to constantly produce marketing and advertising material on a number of different platforms and in a number of different formats. So what paths can you take to become a marketing professional? Here are four options for your career.

1. A Bachelor’s Degree

Getting a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications or a related field is perhaps the most straightforward path to working in marketing. Students studying marketing learn about market research, consumer trends, public relations and general business practices. Participating in an internship is always highly recommended as it allows you to begin networking while still working towards your degree. A master’s degree might also be a good idea if you want to move into management or work for high-profile brands.

2. Networking

You could easily get your first job in marketing by being recommended by a friend, family member or former boss or client. While you still might need a bachelor’s degree, a recommendation carries a lot of weight when a hiring manager is looking to fill a position. For many marketing professionals—but for sales reps in particular—most companies provide on-the-job training.

3. Work Experience

You can work your way up in the field by doing contract or temporary work for small businesses you’ve connected with or working in sales, which generally does not require a bachelor’s degree. If you do marketing work for a small business on a contractual basis, for example, you will then have a portfolio you can showcase to get more contract work or a full-time job if they’re impressed enough by you and your prior work.

4. Come in from a Different Field

Since all businesses need some form of marketing, you can become a marketing professional after having done something else. For example, you might have a job as a receptionist or manager at a company but gain enough understanding of the business and show enough competency that you might be promoted from within. Even earning a degree from online public administration schools can translate into a marketing career, as it teaches many of the same things a business degree does, just for the public, rather than the private, sector.

There are many ways to break into the marketing profession, as nearly every field needs marketers. Having a strong network, work experience and a relevant education are all important and you can always work your way up in the field by being able to showcase quality work.