coworkers discussing marketing strategies

Marketing

Do you have a knack for persuasion? Do you enjoy sales and customer service? Marketing may be the career for you.

Career Pathways

The marketing field has five career pathways: 

  • Communications: Individuals who develop plans and materials to sell products and services, such as writing text or creating artwork for advertisements.
  • Management: Individuals who implement plans to see products and services, such as selling advertisements or managing a sales team.
  • Research: Individuals who investigate how to motivate people to buy products and services.
  • Merchandising: Individuals who buy and sell products and services for companies or clients.
  • Professional Sales: Individuals who sell products and services to large and small customers.

Meta-Major: Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design

Are you interested in marketing but not sure what you want to do? Check out the arts, humanities, communication and design meta-major at your local state college. A meta-major is a collection of associate degree programs aligned to a general career area, such as marketing. Because all programs under the meta-major have common courses, you can pursue a relevant course of study before deciding on a specific degree program.

Education-Career-Income Connection

Many professional careers in marketing require a bachelor's degree. 

Training, Certificate or Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree
Cashier $22,430 Public Relations Specialist $60,000
Retail Salesperson $24,200 Wholesale and Retail Buyer $62,750
Supervisors of Retail Workers $39,630 Market Research Analyst $63,120
Advertising Sales Agent $51,740 Sales Representative (technical or scientific) $79,680
Property and Community Association Manager $58,340 Green Marketer $117,130
Sales Representative (non-technical or scientific) $58,510 Sales Manager $124,220
Supervisors of Non-Retail Workers $73,390 Marketing Manager $134,290