For individuals interested in promotion, sales, consumer research, and more, choosing a career path to pursue might include finding information on how to become a marketing manager. Marketing professionals perform a number of different tasks on various platforms, including social media branding, print sales material development, and advertising, in addition to managing departments, employees, and entire campaigns. To be effective, a manager in marketing will build a resume to fill several required criteria.
Educational Paths in Marketing
Beginning with an undergraduate degree, future marketing professionals can specialize in marketing, business administration with a concentration in marketing, or marketing communications. In each of these programs, students complete courses such as marketing principles, integrated marketing, consumer behavioral patterns, global marketing, and strategic marketing.
Some bachelor’s degree programs in marketing also offer specializations in areas such as social media, print media, broadcasting, digital media, and product management. These specializations can be further studied with completion of a graduate degree program, either at the master’s degree or doctorate level. In some cases, employers might also require for managerial candidates to have a minimum of a master’s degree.
Skills and Traits for Marketing Managers
Skilled marketing professionals are able to communicate exceptionally well through both written and verbal platforms. They must have creative and critical thinking abilities. Marketing professionals must also have skills in content development, lead nurturing, customer relationship management software, analysis, and research. Additional skills such as search engine optimization, data visualization, and programming might also be required depending on a niche of a position or firm.
Candidates for management positions in the marketing field will also need to have developed skills in problem solving, decision making, conflict management, delegation, organization, and interpersonal communication. The Career Resource Center of the American Marketing Association has additional information on skills, training, and qualifications for entering and advancing in a marketing management career.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates for managerial positions in marketing are likely to be required to have previous experience working in the marketing field. Positions that are helpful for obtaining the experience needed include marketing communications specialist, marketing analyst, marketing project manager, brand developer, and marketing consultant.
In some organizations, previous management or supervisory experience will also be required to meet the desired qualifications for this position. Candidates who may not have a degree in marketing could qualify for positions with enough relevant years in management. Likewise, several years as a successful marketing professional might help a candidate fulfill the requirements for other marketing management positions.
Marketing Fields and Industries
Traditional businesses that employ managers in marketing departments include advertising agencies, educational institutions, retail companies, technology corporations, hospitals and other health care organizations, and public relations firms. As the need to connect directly with consumers and other businesses continues to increase, more and more organizations across all industries are employing marketing professionals, requiring for managers to lead these teams.
Related Resource: Human Resources Management
The path to become a marketing manager includes completing an undergraduate or graduate degree, experience in marketing and management, and development of a diverse set of skills. With these qualifications, a marketing professional is prepared to lead the creation of strategies for promoting, selling, and analyzing advertising campaigns for businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit agencies, and other organizations.
