Marketing Management: 5 Steps to Becoming a Marketing Manager
Are you interested in business, sales and marketing? Would you like to use your skills to help promote a company's products or services? Read on for information on how to become a marketing manager. Schools offering Marketing Management degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Is a Marketing Manager?
A marketing manager is a professional who supervises the activities used to enhance the promotion and sales of products, services or ideas. These professionals must determine consumer needs and preferences, create a demand for specific products and then work to maintain their customer base. As a marketing manager, you'll be involved in the functions that facilitate these activities, such as product development, packaging, advertising, pricing and distribution.
Step 1: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers prefer hiring marketing managers who have completed at least a bachelor's degree program (www.bls.gov). Majors that are consistent with your occupation include marketing, advertising, business administration and other related fields. During your program, you'll take coursework that provides training in targeted subject matter, such as marketing research, public relations, consumer behavior, business finance and advertising.
Step 2: Consider Certification
Certification is not required, but the BLS reported that a growing number of marketing managers receive certification to boost their chances of employment in a tough economy. Certification is available through trade associations like the Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI) and requires you to successfully take an exam (www.smei.org).
Step 3: Acquire Work Experience
As a marketing manager, you could work for any industry that sells products, services or ideas. You might find employment with a specialized firm that provides marketing services to numerous clients, or you could work at a marketing department for an organization that sells its own goods. Apparel, entertainment, food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality and technology are just a few of the many industries that use the services of marketing managers. The BLS reported that as of May 2010, the annual median salary of a marketing manager was $112,800.
Step 4: Join a Trade Association
By joining a trade association, you could stay informed on the latest industry developments, protocols and new technologies. You'll also gain access to professional networking opportunities. Membership is available through various organizations, including the Association of International Product Marketing and Management, the American Marketing Association and SMEI.
Step 5: Start Your Graduate Education
Earning a master's degree can put you at an advantage when applying for higher-level marketing management jobs, according to the BLS. You might earn a Master of Science (M.S.) in Marketing or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). If you pursue graduate studies, you'll typically receive advanced training in management, leadership, business strategies, finance, product development and corporate communications.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
Subscribe to RSS feed for
Becoming a Business Professional
