What You Should Know About This Degree
While an online degree in marketing has advantages like flexibility and convenience, marketing is built on interacting with people. As such, most jobs want employees who have hands-on work experience, such as an internship. Most online programs do not require or offer internships. If you are already working in marketing, this likely won’t be an issue. However, for those just entering the field, this lack of real-world experience may present challenges when it comes to employability.
As many marketing-related jobs are growing, some are declining, most notably traditional advertising sales jobs. Industries that relied on print ad sales, like newspapers, are in decline, and companies are increasingly spending their marketing dollars on digital advertising. Understanding the current marketing and advertising landscape is crucial in determining how you will fit into the field and what type of marketing you want to focus on in college.
Marketing is a broad field that encompasses many different responsibilities. Therefore, in order to succeed in marketing, you need a robust skill set that includes verbal and written communication skills, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis skills, creativity, and the ability to collaborate and work as part of a team.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online Marketing programs:
- Does this program have the specialization that I want? Some career paths require more specialized training in areas such as gerontology, informatics, or policy. If you want to concentrate in one of these areas, make sure that your program of interest offers the specialization you seek.
- Am I eligible for this program? Some bachelor’s degree programs are designed for students who already have college credits. For graduate students, there may be prerequisite coursework or professional experience requirements. Be sure to research eligibility requirements before applying.
Once you have identified the programs that interest you, research their application deadlines and admissions requirements. This information is typically available on the program’s webpage; you can also contact the program directly.
Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. If you are currently employed, find out if your job offers any type of tuition assistance benefits.