If you have a marketing degree, you can help businesses promote their products and services, says the Wall Street Journal. Because every organization needs a way to advertise its offerings to customers, you can work in nearly any industry, such as automobile manufacturing, fashion, or music. Some of the enterprises directly involved with providing marketing services to customers include advertising, public relations, media, and market research. The following are just some of the specific jobs you can get with a marketing degree. All information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2012.
Market Research Analysts
Market research analysts gather data about how potential consumers will buy a product and service, and predict how well a company’s offerings will do. They look at competitors, perform surveys, and analyze data using statistical software. They then prepare reports to present their conclusions to clients and management. Jobs are expected to increase by 41 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is far greater than the average 14 percent expected for all jobs in the country. The use of data to determine business strategies will spur the growth. Those with a masters degree and a strong background in statistical analysis will find the best opportunities.
These professionals average $67,380 per year, or $32.39 per hour. The lowest-paid 10 percent received less than an annual $33,280, or $16 per hour. The highest-earning 10 percent make over $113,500 yearly, or $54.57 hourly.
Marketing Managers
When companies need plans for promoting their goods and services, they turn to marketing managers who also develop the strategies for meeting those goals. As with all managers, they meet with other department heads to discuss product information and marketing budgets. They negotiate advertising contracts and approve advertising campaigns. They also hire, train, and supervised the work of marketing specialists. Positions are expected to increase by 14 percent because marketing is needed for companies to succeed. Employment will increase in digital and online media even as it declines in print, such as for newspapers. Those with Internet background will have the best prospects.
Marketing managers average $129,870 per year, or $62.44 per hour. The lowest-paid make under $62,650 yearly, or $30.12 hourly. The top earners receive over an annual $187,199, or $90 per hour.
Public Relations Managers
Public relations managers make their clients or employers look good in the eyes of the public. They work closely with media to gain coverage for their areas of responsibility. They may develop speeches and arrange interviews, send out press releases and information, and arrange for their client or company representative to appear at press conferences or public events. They may supervise PR specialists. Their jobs are expected to grow by 23 percent because of the increasing importance of public relations among many companies. Growth will come from public relations firms as organizations contract out their PR needs.
Average wages for the profession run $101,850 per year, or $48.97 per hour. Annual yearly salaries range from less than $47,800 to over $187,199. This equals an hourly range of $22.98 to $90.
Sales Managers
Sales managers set the sales goals for organizations and supervise sales teams. If they work for large companies, they often travel to branch offices to examine local efforts first hand. They analyze sales reports, project sales and revenue, develop training programs for the staff, and monitor sales performance. They also negotiate deals with suppliers and keep in contact with large customers to ensure their needs are being met. Opportunities are expected to increase by 14 percent, with much of the growth coming from business-to-business sales. Competition will be strong because other types of managers and experiences sales professional look for these jobs.
Salaries for the profession run a mean $119,980 per year, with a range of $52,950 to $187,199. The hourly average is $57.68, with a range of $25.46 to $90.
Sales Representatives
A high-school diploma is often the only minimum education needed for selling retail products to consumers in brick and mortar stores. However, a bachelor’s degree is often required for sales representatives in highly technical products, such as computers or factory machinery, or more complex offerings, such as stocks and insurance. Sales representatives determine the needs of customers and find ways to meet those needs with their companies goods and services. They answer customer questions, demonstrate products, write purchase contracts or orders, and collect payments. Prospects vary by field and expertise, but all sales occupations are projected to see 12 percent growth.
The average salaries of all sales occupation in the country runs $37,990 per year, or $18.26 per hour. Sales reps for services make a mean $68,580 yearly, or $32.97 hourly. Those in wholesale and manufacturing average an annual $68,690, or $33.02 hourly. In retail, mean wages are $23,610 yearly, or $11.35 hourly.
Customer Service Representatives
For customer service representatives, addressing customer concerns is key. They listen to problems face-to-face, by phone or by email, and then provide solutions by making changes to products or services, or offering discounts or refunds. They may refer customers to supervisors, managers or technical staff who can provide help. Representatives with many years of experience may progress to the position of customer service manager who determines policies for the entire company. In many cases, however, customer service reps fall under the supervision of marketing managers.
The BLS expects jobs for the profession to increase by 15 percent because companies are seeing good customer service as a way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Employment will grow the fastest in call centers at 46 percent. Opportunities are also increasing in social media, live chat and other online methods.
Customer service representatives average $33,110 per year, or $15.92 per hour. The lowest-paid make under $19,500 yearly, or $9.38 hourly. The best earners receive over $49,930 per year, or $24 per hour.
A marketing degree can open up a world of careers in almost any industry. The future of your company survival depends on your ability to attract and nurture customers. However, don’t expect to reach the top managerial positions immediately after you graduate. You must typically spend time learning the particular standards and procedures of your employer. You can then progress to higher levels by accepting positions of increasing responsibility.
