Marketing is a field that is always in high demand. It requires solid, knowledgeable marketing professionals to help modern businesses remain successful. Yet marketing trends, and the jobs that they entail, are constantly changing.
If you are considering a degree in marketing, you may find yourself wondering what potential careers would be available to you. These five careers are some of the hottest in the marketing field, and they are worth considering as you decide how to put that education to work.
1. Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts take marketing data and analyze it to find insights their companies or clients can use to improve their marketing efforts. This includes identifying and analyzing target markets and ideal customers, determining buying habits and purchasing needs, tailoring marketing strategies to meet those needs and determining if an advertising method is effectively reaching the market. These professionals must have a keen understanding of statistics and how to convert data into something that marketing teams can understand and act upon.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job expectations for market research analyst is projected to grow 20 percent by 2028—a faster than average growth rate. The BLS also lists a median wage for the role at $63,120 in 2018.
2. Digital Marketer
It’s no secret that digital is taking over the marketing world, and those who have the training to position themselves as effective digital marketers will find their skills in demand now and in the future. From using “search” to applying social media and even online videos in marketing efforts, the industry as a whole is becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology. Marketers are having to adjust to this growing trend, because it is not going anywhere, and new marketers are needed who have a better understanding of these fields.
If you were to pursue a career as a digital marketer, you would have a wide range of skills you could tap. Your responsibilities would include everything from managing content and blogging schedules to learning how to play the pay-per-click advertising game. Sometimes digital marketers will focus on a particular field, while other times they will offer a wider range of skills to manage all of the digital marketing tasks a company needs.
According to a report by Burning Glass Technologies, 4 out of 10 jobs listed in marketing now call for digital marketing skills. In addition, jobs requiring these skills pay almost $7,000 more than other marketing roles.
3. SEO Professional
The SEO professional is a type of digital marketer that focuses entirely on search engine optimization (SEO). This marketing tool uses a variety of factors to drive websites to the top of the search engine results which, in turn, drives more traffic from people who are actively looking for a product or service directly to the company’s website.
What makes SEO a challenging career field is the fact that the search engines—Google in particular—are constantly changing the “rules.” What it took to rank high 10 years ago is completely different than what it takes today, and the SEO professional must be able to stay on top of these changes.
Many SEO professionals work as independent business owners, partnering with individual businesses to manage SEO for multiple enterprises. However, some large corporation will hire their own dedicated SEO specialists. Sometimes SEO pros can get work in firms that specialize in SEO services, helping a large list of clients with their optimization needs.
According to a report by SearchEngine Journal, SEO jobs grew 6 times faster than the United States job market in 2018. In addition, another study by SEJ also shows that the average SEO professional earned $81,103 in 2018.
4. Public Relations
Public relations may not seem like a marketing occupation at the outset. But, in reality, it’s crucial to marketing and brand management. Public relations professionals work to protect a brand’s image in the public eye. They send out information about the company through social media, press releases and other venues to ensure that the company stays in the minds of potential customers or clients.
Because world news is constantly flowing, this can be quite a demanding field. A PR professional may also need to work directly with the press, fielding and answering questions. Should the company face any type of controversy, it becomes the PR professional’s job to manage that and distribute positive information to counteract any negative publicity.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for public relations specialists is $60,000. And, while the field is projected to see an average growth rate over the next decade, the demand for quality professionals in this area will never wane. Those in the top 10 percent of the field can make over $110,000 a year, and PR professionals who are good at their job and can make a company look good are going to be in even more demand.
5. Content Writer
Today’s marketing world is content heavy. SEO strategies require content written regularly, and creative teams need writers who can craft all kinds of content, from press releases to website copy to video and radio scripts to blogs. This is a particular part of the marketing world that is highly specific, but people who can write marketing content well will find themselves in high demand in the coming years.
Content writing as a career is unique because it requires a basic understanding of marketing, but it also requires strong writing skills. Writers with a bit of an understanding of SEO are also valuable, though they do not need to be SEO experts. Yet at the heart of this career is the ability to write compelling content that will keep people coming back for more. The more people want to explore a website or review a press release for information, the more successful that business will be.
The marketing world is an exciting one. Companies are always in need of professionals who can make their products or services truly shine so they can outpace the competition. If you are looking to break into one of these career fields, the right training is key. Check out the online MBA program available at ACU Online and learn what it takes to pursue one of these exciting career fields.