What can I do with a major in marketing?

Overview

Marketing is a practical, career-oriented major that requires analytical, interpersonal and creative skills.

Common career paths for business marketing majors include:

Sales

Sales uncovers client needs and delivers customized solutions in a consultative manner. Sales has more job opportunities than other specializations, especially entry-level positions and training programs.

KU's professional selling certificate and minor are designed to equip students with the skill sets and mindsets required for a successful career in professional selling.

Marketing analytics

Marketing analysts extract insights from data and employ these insights to enhance the ROI of marketing investments.

Advertising and marketing communications

Professionals in advertising and marketing communications create, manage and execute the communications function via advertising, public relations and emerging digital tools.

Advertising has several entry-level positions, including media buyer, copywriter or assistant account executive. After a year or two in one of these positions, you may become a junior or assistant account executive doing analytical work and having moderate client contact. As you move to account executive, account supervisor, management supervisor and various agency principal positions, the responsibility increases and the workload involves strategic planning and implementation in a highly competitive, fast-paced environment.

Brand management

Brands are one of the most valuable assets that a company can own. Brand management involves monitoring, nurturing and growing awareness of a brand and its product(s), building close relationships with audiences.

Tips for marketing students

• Attend marketing-specific career events and the Business Career Fair each September.
• Further explore your interests using tools such as LinkedIn Learning or Forage.
• Join a student club or organization that will facilitate career exploration, such as the Marketing Club, Sales Club, PRSSA, The Agency or others.
• Develop skills including customer focus, problem solving, self-direction, team orientation, analysis and research.
• Consider earning the professional selling certificate or minor. A minor in journalism or design can also complement a business marketing degree.