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What is Marketing?
Are you interested in obtaining a marketing degree in North Dakota? This is a highly popular academic major in the United States as graduates are often perceived as good candidates for a wide variety of professions. Knowledge related to marketing, advertising, and promotions can be applied to almost any industry, making those with this type of training and experience valuable assets in many work settings. While marketing programs are appropriate for pursuing many professions, they prove particularly useful to individuals planning to perform market research and/or plan promotional campaigns.
While actual job descriptions will vary, some of the most common responsibilities advertising, promotions, and marketing professionals can expect include:
- Negotiating advertising contracts
- Evaluating prospective campaigns
- Initiating market research
- Analyzing research findings to understand customer preferences
- Developing pricing strategies
- Meeting with and advising clients
- Hiring and overseeing marketing staff
It’s also important that professionals in this field are able to generate customer interest in products or services, as this is often the reason employers hire them. To this end, they must also be willing and able to collaborate with art directors, advertising sales agents, and financial staff members. Additionally, these professionals often thrive when they are capable of organizing relevant events, contests, and/or giveaways.
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Online Marketing Education in North Dakota
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is expected to increase by 10% from 2020 to 2030. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations and will add approximately 31,100 positions to the job market each year. Several factors will impact this growth, but most job openings will result from a continued and increasing demand for professionals capable of creating effective marketing campaigns. Some areas of the field are, however, expected to decline. Positions related to printed advertisements, for example, will decrease as companies utilize online marketing more. As a result, prospective professionals may benefit more from developing skills related to the creation and maintenance of digital media campaigns via websites, social media, and live chats.
Professional and business services are the sixth largest industry in North Dakota, accounting for $3.3 billion in revenue each year. It’s worth noting, however, that individuals in this field are likely to find employment opportunities in many of the state’s other top industries. Almost every company and organization benefits from hiring workers with training and experience in marketing. Some other sectors likely to hire graduates include real estate, wholesale trade, manufacturing, construction, retail, and transportation.
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that North Dakota employed 1,260 market research analysts and marketing specialists in May 2021. The annual mean wage for local professionals in this field was $61,000, which is above the annual mean wage of $53,380 for all occupations in the state.
While there are marketing degree programs available throughout the nation, those interested in obtaining employment in North Dakota may want to give preference to colleges and universities located in the state. Not only will residents receive in-state tuition rates, but local schools are often much more familiar with industry needs throughout the area. This means the curriculums created tend to address current trends and issues pertinent to local employers. Additionally, academic institutions often strive to maintain good relationships with nearby companies and organizations, which can make finding internships and/or employment easier.
Nearly every industry utilizes marketing professionals to some extent, with most companies and organizations requiring at least some amount of advertising assistance. While this means employment opportunities are often readily available, it makes defining the profession a little more difficult. Marketing responsibilities can vary significantly from job to job depending on employer size and preference. As a result, prospective professionals should always research position postings carefully before submitting applications.
Fortunately, degree program graduates often possess a wide variety of essential marketing concepts that can be applied to almost any working environment. Most colleges and universities design their curriculums to ensure their students obtain all the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the field. As a result, professionals are generally prepared to address tasks related to advertising, promotions, and marketing management, as well as basic communications, organization, decision-making, and analytics. Skills in these areas can also be applied to many business and finance professions.
Most marking professionals require some level of formal education in order to find employment in the field. While degrees are available at the associate level, most students begin by enrolling in bachelor’s programs at accredited four-year colleges and universities. Graduates can then decide whether to join the workforce or pursue further education at the master’s and doctorate levels. As every profession has its own requirements, prospective students should carefully consider their ultimate career goals when establishing an academic plan.
Online Associate Degree in Marketing (AS)
Associate degrees in marketing generally consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately two years to complete. Most programs incorporate both liberal arts education requirements such as written communication, math, social science, and major-specific instruction. This typically leads to a fairly basic introduction to higher education and the marketing field. Students can expect to take classes intended to help them develop important skills in communication and customer service.
This type of degree is best suited for individuals seeking entry-level employment and who do not want to commit to a full four-year academic program. An associate degree is unlikely to lead to work with large advertising agencies or marketing companies but can make it easier to obtain employment in an office or as a store manager and can help you by allowing you to gain experience quickly. Graduates may also qualify for various business and customer service opportunities with smaller businesses.
Graduates can also have credits earned from their associate degrees applied to future bachelor’s degrees. Most colleges and universities accept between 60 and 90 credit hours from other accredited academic institutions, allowing students to enter as juniors instead of freshmen. This can be a good money-saving method, as it is generally cheaper to earn associate degrees at community colleges than it is to enroll in four-year programs.
Online Bachelor's Degree in Marketing (BS)
Bachelor’s degrees in marketing generally consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. As with associate degree curriculums, these typically include a combination of liberal arts education and marketing-specific instruction. Every institution is different but topics commonly covered include communication, digital marketing, product design, and marketing research. Some colleges and universities also offer opportunities to select concentration, which can grant access to more specialized classes within the field.
This type of degree is generally necessary for individuals pursuing careers in advertising, promotions, and marketing management. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most employers in the field require candidates have bachelor’s degrees. Graduates also often experience greater job security and receive higher salaries than those with less education.
Instead of applying for employment, however, graduates can opt to continue their educations by enrolling in graduate degree programs. Advanced degrees offer more career opportunities, but prospective students should be prepared to meet institutional grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score standards.
Online Master's Degree in Marketing (MS)
Master’s degrees in marketing generally range from 30 to 60 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately two years to complete. Notably, some accelerated programs do exist, which can be completed in less time. Students at this level no longer need to take general education classes, allowing all instruction to center on core subjects. Topics are also likely to be covered in much greater depth.
Another viable option is the master of business administration (MBA) degree. MBAs often place greater emphasis on the technical aspects of business planning and execution. Some offer concentrations in marketing specifically and, in general, these programs can help professionals qualify for supervisory positions in the field.
These types of degrees can lead to a wide variety of additional employment opportunities but neither is required for career success. Graduates at this level will typically qualify for supervisory roles such as marketing executive, account director, product marketing manager, senior marketing manager, and search engine optimization director. They also tend to have more career prospects and higher pay potential.
Online PhD Degree in Marketing (PhD)
A PhD or doctorate in marketing generally consists of between 90 and 120 credit hours that take full-time students four to seven years to complete. Program specifics vary, but students typically learn about both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as analytic measurements. In addition to attending classes, those enrolled will also need to complete independent study projects and write dissertations that must be defended before a board prior to graduation.
This type of degree is rarely necessary for professionals in the field. It is appropriate, however, for those interested in pursuing employment in research and/or academic instruction. Graduates also often gain access to various high-level roles in the field, such as marketing director or chief marketing officer.
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Become a Marketing Manager in North Dakota
The first step to becoming a marketing professional in North Dakota is determining which profession(s) you are most interested in. This will help you establish your ultimate career goals, which will make finding and selecting an appropriate academic degree program much easier. As employment opportunities are often available in many different industries, identifying areas of greatest personal interest can also prove helpful.
Depending on your specific career aspirations, a degree in marketing may or may not be the most optimal option. While higher education often leads to the best jobs in the field, many employers will be satisfied with, or may even prefer, degrees in related subjects. Some notable alternatives include advertising, journalism, communications, or computer information technology. In some cases, picking a specific concentration or adding a minor in one of these areas may also be beneficial.
In addition to completing the necessary education requirements for your intended career, it’s also advisable to obtain one or more professional certifications and/or licensures in the field. While employers may not require these, they do often give preference to candidates who possess them. Earning additional credentials can also help current professionals further advance their careers and lead to higher-paying positions.
A popular credential among marking professionals is the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer (PMC). Alternatively, the Interactive Advertising Bureau offers a wide variety of certifications related to various subjects in the field such as digital media sales, digital media buying, and digital ad operations. There are also highly specialized credentialing opportunities available, with businesses and organizations offering training programs related to certain products and/or topics. Google, for example, offers a certification in Google Analytics.
Careers for Marketing Graduates
As previously mentioned, those who graduate with marketing degrees in North Dakota will have access to a wide variety of employment opportunities. While job titles, salaries, and expectations in the state will vary, some positions you may pursue include the following.
- Advertising Coordinator
Advertising coordinators are responsible for organizing media in ways that are cohesive and appealing to consumers. These professionals often identify the best ad strategies. They also oversee scheduling for television and print advertising campaigns. In some cases, advertising coordinators may provide assistance to television, internet, and newspaper companies as content and graphics are finalized. According to PayScale, advertising coordinators make an average base salary of $45,450 per year. - Account Manager
Account managers are responsible for establishing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with their assigned clients. These professionals generally adhere to a number of policies, procedures, and guidelines as they work to provide accurate product and service details. They may also be asked to create and deliver presentations for important company stakeholders. According to PayScale, account managers make an average base salary of $55,900 per year. - Business Development Director
Business development directors are responsible for developing operational strategies and procedures. These professionals assess the way goods and services are advertised and provide action plans to reach wider markets. They may also negotiate with suppliers, fine-tune departmental procedures, or research potential legal matters as they arise. According to PayScale, business development directors make an average base salary of $105,900 per year. - Digital Marketing Manager
Digital marketing managers are responsible for overseeing marketing project development, as well as ensuring plans align well with employer goals and values. This often entails coordinating departmental collaborations and verifying that new media and digital marking teams are meeting expectations. It is also common for these professionals to manage digital marketing efforts on social and digital media platforms. According to PayScale, digital marketing managers make an average base salary of $68,000 per year. - Marketing Analyst
Marketing analysts are responsible for providing businesses with insight regarding their product and service advertising efforts. Using predictive statistics, customer profiling, and data analysis, these professionals can create more effective marketing programs. They may also work with others to perform trend analysis to identify potential initiatives, as well as develop strategies to test overall performance over time. According to PayScale, marketing analysts make an average base salary of $57,050 per year. - Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for creating advertising and/or merchandising sales campaigns for single products, multiple products, whole brands, or entire companies. They often coordinate activities with product managers, as well as perform market research studies and program performance monitoring. According to PayScale, marketing managers make an average base salary of $66,700 per year. - Merchandising Manager
Merchandising managers are responsible for developing effective strategies in order to make it easy to manage merchandise. These professionals often manage the day-to-day operations of logistics teams and coordinate the necessary accommodations for products as they arrive. They must also ensure all specialized machinery maintains proper certification requirements. According to PayScale, merchandising managers make an average base salary of $65,500 per year. - Senior Marketing Manager
Senior marketing managers are often responsible for various products and/or services. These professionals coordinate product development and brand management, as well as recommending, creating, and implementing relevant marketing campaigns. These professionals may also need to analyze program results and identify potential enhancements for future projects. According to PayScale, senior marketing managers make an average base salary of $100,050 per year. - Special Events Manager
Special events managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing events, especially those intended to attract new customers and clients. These professionals take lead throughout the entire process, completing a wide range of tasks depending on event parameters, including balancing departmental budgets. They also often provide follow-up information and marketing materials to event participants. According to PayScale, supply chain managers make an average base salary of $53,550 per year.