Marketing managers are skilled professionals responsible for formulating the marketing strategies of an organization. Their duties and job description depends on the various organizations and their scope and influence in the market place. According to O*Net Online, marketing managers had an expected annual job growth of up to 14% and drew a median annual wage of $123,220 in 2013. Whereas according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (
BLS), the median salary for marketing managers is $115,750 for 2012.
How to Become A Marketing Manager 
It is essential for marketing managers to know about the budget, product lines, traditional and potential markets and the media related aspects of the business they’re working for. They need to be aware of their target market and how resources at their disposal can help in acquiring more customers. They need to come up with focused marketing strategies on the product, the customer base, product design and packaging as well as advertisements.
Today, marketing managers are required to come up with new and innovative marketing strategies to stay ahead of the curve and effectively market their product. They now need to focus on even the most miniscule of details; from the color of the brand to the choice of media used for advertisements, to the price of the product.
What are the Skills Required from a Marketing Manager?
Every potential marketing manager needs a certain set of skills to be successful at what they do. These skills help in day to day problems that a marketing manager might face and equip them with the ability to deal with, and solve these problems in the best possible way. Not only are these professionals expected to always think on their feet, they are also required to be excellent public speakers and effective writers so as to be able to get their vision for the future and idea across. Along with these skills, there are some other essential skills that are crucial to a marketer.
Marketers face numerous challenges every day. These problems can vary in severity but most often than not, these problems need a quick and efficient solution. The only way to do this is if the marketer has the ability to critically analyze situations, observe trends, make judgments and come up with a workable solution to the problem.
Marketers need to be updated with the latest developments in different areas of product development including conceptualization, design and testing. They need to be aware of all the different aspects of the product so as to come up with a detailed and effective marketing strategy.
This is perhaps the most important skill, for not only marketing managers, but managers in general. Leadership is a skill that may come naturally and may also be developed over time. The way managers treat and supervise their subordinates can be crucial to the development of the final product. An indispensible trait of a manager is gaining the trust and confidence of your subordinates which streamlines processes and helps run things more efficiently.
How to Become a Marketing Manager?
To be a marketing manager one must follow certain steps. Becoming a marketing manager is not easy and it takes years of hard work and dedication as well as experience in the field of marketing.
Education
Education is the first step. Without a proper education, it can be very hard to get into a competitive field such as marketing. Almost all companies insist that applicants must at least have a high school diploma.
After a high school diploma, quite a few options are open to budding marketers. One option is that of an associate’s degree in marketing. This is a degree that can be taken before an undergrad program and is designed for individuals who want to join the job market as soon as after completing their high school.
Another option is of a bachelor’s degree. Many universities offer a bachelors degree in marketing and these can be a great way to kick start a marketing career. Many firms prefer an undergrad degree over an associate’s degree as a bachelor’s program in marketing is designed to give you a wide range of options in the courses you study as well as the topics you cover. A bachelor’s degree will give you great insight in to the marketing industry and also prepare you for the career ahead.
After the bachelor’s program, many students choose to enroll in a master’s in marketing program. This will provide an even more detailed look into the marketing field and also give students an edge over competitors who only have a bachelor’s degree.
Experience
Education is a very important step towards becoming a marketing manager but another step that might be equally important is work experience in the field of marketing management. Many firms put emphasis on work experience almost as much as education and require that applicants have a record of either internships and/or part-time and full time jobs. Work experience is important because it gives you an insight in to the day to day activities. It teaches you the fundamentals of practical work and how to effectively communicate and interact with others within the industry.
Entry-Level Job
After completing your education and gaining experience in the business, you can apply for entry level positions in firms as you can’t expect to become a marketing manager straight out of college! Your entry level job will introduce you to the field of marketing and at this level you get the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge you learned during your education and work experience, to further your career.
It is not easy to start a career in any industry and almost always takes hard work and dedication to learn a specific skill set. The same is the case for the marketing industry as well and with a high projected job growth rate, it is perhaps more competitive than other industries. However, if you get a good education, sufficient work experience and acquire the skills that are essential for all marketing managers then you will have as good a chance as any to succeed in your chosen field.
How to Become a Marketing Manager in Texas?
In order to become a Marketing Manager in Texas, you will need a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or a related field. This will enable you to start an entry level position as a marketing associate, assistant or executive. Here, you will gain the necessary skills and experience needed to become a competent Marketing Manager as you progress further in your career.
How to Become a Marketing Manager in California?
To build a career as a Marketing Manager in California, earn a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in either marketing or business administration. With a degree in hand, you can get a good entry-level position in marketing. There are different roles you can undertake to gain necessary on-the-job skills and successfully move into a Marketing Manager position as your career progresses.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
State
|
Employment
|
Employment per thousand jobs
|
Location quotient
|
Hourly mean wage
|
Annual mean wage
|
|
California |
1660 |
0.11 |
1.26 |
18.13 |
37720 |
|
Florida |
1130 |
0.14 |
1.68 |
17.97 |
37370 |
|
Illinois |
960 |
0.16 |
1.92 |
17.9 |
37240 |
|
Texas |
760 |
0.07 |
0.78 |
16.62 |
34570 |
|
New York |
650 |
0.07 |
0.85 |
20.12 |
41840 |
Source: bls.gov
How long does it take to become a Marketing Manager?
How long it takes to become a marketing manager depends on the career path you choose. You will need a minimum of a bachelor's degree to apply to become a marketing manager. A bachelor's in marketing will take four years to complete. After this, an internship or an MBA will increase your employability but that will take up to another two years. You can also start applying for the job you want right away.
What are the requirements to become a Marketing Manager?
The minimum educational requirement needed to become a marketing manager is a bachelor's degree. In some cases, your employer may expect internship experience or a master’s degree in business administration. Usually, a bachelor's degree is enough to get started. Some characteristics valued in marketing managers are taking initiative, time management and strong organizational skills.
How much can I make as a Marketing Manager?
Marketing managers are expected to play a crucial role in increasing the demand for a company's products or services through advertisements. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for marketing managers as of May 2018 was $134,290 per year and $64.56 per hour. Employment in the industry in 2018 was 240,440 and is expected to grow.
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Q:Where can I work after becoming a marketing manager
A:You can apply for positions in all kinds of organizations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest number of employed marketing managers can be found in the advertisement sector. You can also consider joining the retail sector, information technology sector, and even healthcare.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:What degree do you need to become a marketing manager?
A:You must have at least a bachelor degree to work in the marketing sector. Most managerial jobs in marketing require a 4 year college degree. It is recommended that you opt for specialization in a relevant field such as marketing or business administration. In a marketing degree program, you will learn about various aspects of the field and will develop necessary business skills. It is important to remember that the curriculum may vary from school to school.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:What are the requirements to become a marketing manager?
A:A bachelor's degree is recommended for most marketing management and advertising job positions. You can also pursue masters level degree programs to enhance your career opportunities. There are no exact requirements for this job. However, it is important that you have the necessary skills and knowledge about the industry.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:What do marketing managers do?
A:Marketing managers are professionals who plan programs to generate awareness of a service, idea or product. They work with sales agents, art directors, and members of the financial staff of the organization. Typical responsibilities include planning and negotiating advertising contracts, developing promotional campaigns, and enhancing the business plan of a company through marketing strategies.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:Why become a marketing manager?
A:Careers in marketing can be challenging, diverse, and competitive. If you enjoy creativity and taking on challenges, this field may be suitable for you. You can work in all kinds of industries ranging from fashion to healthcare and from retail to IT. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing, advertising and promotions managers made a median annual pay of $115,750 in 2012.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics and The American Marketing Association)
Q:How long does it take to become a marketing manager?
A:Since the minimum educational requirement to become a marketing manager is a bachelor's degree, it can take you 3-4 years to prepare for this career. Many students also pursue internships and training programs before they are hired as marketing managers in a firm. To improve your job prospects, you can also earn a masters degree in marketing which may take another 2 years.
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Q:Can you tell me how to become a marketing executive?
A:A marketing executive is a professional who is responsible for directing the marketing of a company's services or products. An executive is the highest level of management and so in order to become a marketing executive; you would need to complete your an advanced degree in marketing. To get top tier jobs, candidates would have to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree in marketing. Previous work experience in marketing or a related field is also an important factor in getting a job as a marketing executive.
Q:What skills are included among the marketing director education requirements?
A:Candidates who wish to become marketing managers need to acquire a certain set of skills in order to be successful in this profession. The skills that are included among the marketing director education requirements are critical thinking, leadership, and project awareness. The courses offered in this degree all have components of these skills. Furthermore, you are encouraged to develop these skills on your own as well as they are essential to carrying out the work of a marketing director.
Q:What is the minimum education needed to be a marketing manager?
A:In order to become a marketing manager, most companies require candidates to have at least a bachelor degree. Due to increased competitiveness, more and more companies require applicants to have higher qualifications in order to stand out from other applicants. Apart from education, one must also have strong communication skills, analysis skills, and management skills.
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