Mad Men has inspired a whole wave of hopeful marketeers to look for the best way into this enticing sector. The obvious degree choice for aspiring marketing executives is of course a Marketing degree and according to the Guardian, more than 70 per cent of marketing students entered employment after graduation. But only 31 per cent actually went on to work in a marketing, sales or advertising role.
There are lots of other degrees that can open the door to the marketing industry. History, English and most foreign languages degrees also provide some of the necessary skills for a marketing career, such as research, written and verbal communication and creativity. When combined with the right attitude and work experience, these degrees can offer a straightforward route to that first marketing job. ‘How to Get a Marketing Job without a Marketing Degree’ offers some sound advice on how to start your climb up the career ladder.
Degrees aside, it’s crucial that you show off your understanding of marketing. Prospective employers need to see your enthusiasm for the discipline and nowadays your marketing experience begins with how you market yourself. As a minimum you’ll need to create and regularly update a LinkedIn profile and Twitter account. You may also want to think about cleaning up your Facebook page, that hilarious profile picture of you in mankini probably needs replacing! Setting up your own blog is another great way to show off your communication skills and get your message out there.
Despite the statistics, the best degree for a career in marketing is probably still a marketing degree, although other degrees won’t exclude you from employment in the sector. A marketing degree will develop a student’s commercial awareness and business acumen. It will build on both numerical and communicative skills, as well as helping to perfect research and analysis techniques, making you work ready by the time you graduate.