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What is Marketing?
A marketing professional is a businessperson whose job is to help attract the appropriate consumers to their firm's products. They do this in a number of ways. The analytical side of marketing assesses market intelligence to determine consumer preferences. These days, they work with Big Data troves, which they parse using scripts they often write themselves.
The more colorful side of marketing arranges product launch events, creates creative advertising, and manages a product's branding. These professionals can be administrators who manage media purchases for their clients, graphic artists, copywriters, and even web designers. Web developers may also work with creative teams, but they also create the apps that collect data which is funneled back to the analytical team.
Marketing professionals may have traditionally worked in office buildings where they pulled 9-5 shifts. However, even prior to the rise of remote work, marketing professionals often had areas decked out with ping-pong tables, espresso machines, and creative, stimulating artwork. These days, an entire marketing team might work remotely and convene via Zoom for their regular meetings.
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Marketing Education in Maine
Maine is well known for its lobster and fantastic getaway opportunities. It's also a thriving economic hub at the top of New England. At the top of Maine's list of most successful industries are real estate, business services, educational services, manufacturing, and retail trade. For each of these to be successful, Maine needs to cultivate top tier marketing professionals who stimulate the buying public into action.
Indeed, to generate adequate demand for goods and services in the Maine economy, firms need to market their products effectively. Since the buying public is an increasingly fickle beast, Maine's businesses rely on marketing specialists who are at the vanguard of New England's consumer trends. They may even be expert at molding consumer trends with cutting edge approaches to data mining and advertising.
To ensure that Maine's industries maintain steady growth and development, Maine's economy relies on colleges and universities that produce marketing graduates who are ready to bring them to the next level. Thus, Maine's public and private institutions of higher learning are continually seeking to attract marketing professors who have a rich track record of success in the field. Marketing departments in Maine seek a blend of academic superstars and seasoned professionals with real-world experience to impart to students.
Maine's colleges and universities seek marketing professionals who have had success in the state or in New England. Since Maine is a popular spot for retirement, they’re likely to have success attracting retired marketing professionals from hot commercial hubs such as Boston, New York, and Providence. These seasoned professionals will have deep insights into what it takes for a firm to succeed in Maine and New England in general. This is very valuable since many young Maine graduates have their sights set on a large urban area where they can cut their teeth as marketing professionals. Academics also vie for tenure track positions in Maine, since the cost of living is affordable and there are students eager to learn and make Maine even more successful.
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Whether students desire to work on the analytical or creative side of marketing, Maine's colleges and universities are there to prepare them for success. Each marketing department is constantly upgrading its curriculum and attracting the very best marketing faculty to ensure a lifetime of success for its graduates.
Associate Degree in Marketing (AS)
A two-year associate marketing degree from a community college can be a terrific way to launch a career. Students who opt for this route can stay close to home and study in a nearby Maine community college. If a nearby community college doesn't offer an associate marketing degree, students can find an online associate marketing degree. Either way, the convenience will serve them well from both a financial as well as an academic standpoint.
An associate marketing degree can help students land an entry-level position with a local company or marketing firm. They can build on their academic knowledge with real world experience that will pay off if they choose to return to school for a bachelor's marketing degree. Their community college academics will also pay off in that every associate marketing degree requires that students complete all of the core college curriculum.
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing (BS)
Most employers look for a bachelor's marketing degree when they look to hire new employees. This is because a full bachelor's marketing degree entails more in-depth academic work and more opportunities for students to specialize. Undergraduate marketing students may also have time to complete internships or minor degrees in computer science or graphic design. For those on the creative side of things, a bachelor's marketing degree means more opportunities to create a dynamite portfolio of graphic art, web pages, or ingenious copy.
Analytical marketing experts take the time in a bachelor's degree program to study statistics and computer science in addition to learning the fundamentals of marketing. In fact, analytical marketing professionals may even start out with computer science degrees or degrees in social sciences. Provided that they know how to work with large databases and discover consumer trends, they will surely find employers looking to hire.
Master's Degree in Marketing (MS or MC)
After completing a bachelor's marketing degree, professionals may decide to return to school for a master’s marketing degree or an MBA. Since a master’s degree is increasingly common in marketing departments, undergraduate marketing students should start considering this option as soon as possible. While creative marketing professionals may find that they rely more on their creative portfolio than a degree, those on the administrative or analytical side will be well served by earning an MBA with a concentration in marketing.
There are many options for marketing professionals who desire an MBA. First, there are undergraduate programs that offer an accelerated MBA. These programs offer students the opportunity to complete both their undergraduate and master’s marketing degrees in a mere five years. This is both cost effective and an efficient use of time. However, some will opt for a dual MBA program where students can complete both their MBA and another graduate degree in three years. This is a particularly good choice for those who specialize in the analytical side of marketing. That is, they can work on a master’s degree in data science, computer science, or statistical analysis while becoming experts in business administration.
PhD Degree in Marketing (PhD)
Since a master’s degree is increasingly common in the business community, many marketing professionals are pursuing their PhD as a way to stay ahead of the curve. This top academic degree is still rather uncommon, but it can be very useful, especially for those who analyze the marketing data. The analytical whizzes have a few options for their doctorate degree.
One clear choice is a PhD in marketing. However, they may be better served by focusing on data science, computer science, or mathematics. No matter which academic course they choose, if they desire a future in marketing, they will be well served by focusing their doctoral thesis on matters that pertain explicitly to marketing. Once they can show employers that they have a novel approach to modeling marketing data, they will have an easier time in the job market. In fact, those who have a unique take on how to crunch market data may strike out on their own, either in their own independent firm or as solo contractors. Their market intelligence is sure to fetch top dollar on the open market.
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Become a Marketing Manager in Maine
There are many ways to become a marketing professional in Maine. The most traditional way is to earn a college marketing degree that focuses on a specific aspect of the field. Some start out with an associate marketing degree or even a certificate in graphic art and design. The biggest decision at this stage is to decide whether to pursue the creative or analytical side of the field. This will likely be an easy choice since the two tend to attract very different types of people.
The more creative types are generally found in the art department during high school and college. They may have a passion for painting or sculpture, but they will be well served by learning graphic art and design using computers. In particular, visual artists should learn skills such as computer art and animation, web design, and even video composition and editing. Creative marketing professionals should certainly consider a traditional bachelor's marketing degree, but they may be better off by focusing on creating a portfolio of original artwork that will wow hiring executives.
Those who are more interested in the analytical side of marketing often start out with a passion for math and science. They excel in statistics and know how to program computers in multiple languages. Their math skills often manifest early on and, by the end of high school, they typically have completed at least Calculus I. Their extracurricular activities generally reflect a passion for technology, and they may spend their time creating computer games or working on other passion projects.
Both creative and analytical marketing professionals benefit from taking marketing courses in the business department of their colleges and universities. A foundation in the basics of marketing theory and practice will help immensely when it comes time to interview for a marketing job in Maine. For the best, long-term success, students should strive for a degree in marketing. This will make it far easier to apply to an MBA program with a concentration in marketing. Even graphic artists should consider this avenue because it will enable them to pursue a position as a marketing manager and then a C-level position later on.
Careers for Marketing Graduates
- Marketing Director:
After several years in the marketing field, professionals may rise to the position of marketing director. Marketing professionals in this job need to be able to oversee a marketing campaign from start to finish. This may entail overseeing the work of both the data scientists and the creative team. Marketing directors may also spearhead meetings with their clients or the brand manager who is likewise vested in the success of the marketing campaign. - Marketing Specialist:
This is typically an entry-level position in a marketing department or marketing firm. A specialist will either work on the creative or the analytical side of marketing. Others may work on buying space in broadcast, print, or internet media. Specialists need strong administrative skills, especially when they are working on large marketing events including conventions, product release events, and more.Search Programs Offering Marketing Majors
- Special Events Manager:
Marketing events can be vital to launching a new product or announcing the next generation of a product. Depending on the product involved, managing these special events can entail attracting the media, building excitement with press releases, or even minor in-person events. These days, special events managers may find their events are happening online as much as in large convention centers. Special events managers can even work for convention centers where they consult with clients who need their space. Events managers might work with larger corporations who may have multiple events per year, including international events. - Social Media Manager:
Practically every product these days is represented by social media accounts. These accounts are managed by marketing professionals who make new, viral posts and who can respond to consumer comments. Sometimes, social media managers have license to exercise a bit of sardonic wit when consumer comments get too negative. It’s quite an art to master appropriately witty retorts that elevate a brand without alienating consumers. - Account Manager:
These marketing professionals work with clients to ensure that the product is appropriately represented by the firm. These professionals typically work in advertising agencies, public relations firms, or marketing firms. They help to keep the creative team on track and work with media buyers on budgeting and how to place ads in the most effective media. - Digital Marketing Manager/Director:
Marketing professionals all need to be savvy when it comes to digital marketing. Some brands are so large that they require digital marketing managers or directors on top of managers who oversee events, print media, and even radio spots. Digital marketing managers need to understand the language of both the web designer and web developer. They also need to have a full working knowledge of best practices for search engine optimization, among other technologies. - Media Buyer:
This all-important position is often overlooked in light of the flashy creative ads their work enables. Media buyers are the liaison between the creative world and its audience. They take a media budget and purchase time on television shows, radio shows, and pages in print media. The right placement often means the difference between success and failure for a marketing campaign. For instance, imagine an ad placement during the Superbowl versus one during a late-night roller derby contest.