Best Careers in Marketing (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of our Best Careers Series in Marketing. Last week, we discussed popular new Marketing-related careers such as Internet Marketing, Professional Events Management and Marketing Communications. (To read Part 1 of this series, visit my blog: http://worklifenow.blogspot.com).

Today, we shall be exploring popular Marketing jobs that have stood the test of time. These careers are here to stay for a long, long time. So take a look at your career options if you are looking into establishing yourself as a Marketing Practitioner.

The Adman (or woman)

Many things are happening in the Advertising World as new technology changes the way people live and do business. Despite that, many businesses will continue to need the services of Ad people. So if you are interested in Advertising and looking into entering this field, there are many jobs that you can look into. Careers in Advertising include Creative types such Copywriters, Graphics Designers, Lay-out Artists and Creative Directors. Aside from the creative side, there is also the business side of Advertising such as Media Buyers and Account Executives.

What Skills Will You Need to Become an Adman or woman? It really depends on the type of job that you hold in Advertising. If you are doing Creative Work, you have to have an eye for visual design, skills in digital design, copy writing and an innate feel for what will sell or click with people. For Media Buyers, you need to be abreast with current events, tv and radio programming, publication lineups and media rates, as well as build a good relationship with media companies and suppliers. For Account Executives, you will need skills in salesmanship and account management. Being good with people, client servicing and networking will help you succeed in this type of work.

Pros & Cons: The Advertising World consists of very colorful people who does exciting and creative work whether they are in Creatives or not. Be prepared to be able to deal with different types of people. If you are free-spirited and enjoy a culture that celebrates creative expression or tolerates varying degrees of temperaments, you will survive this zany world. However, if you prefer a structured corporate environment or routine-work, you might find a career in advertising extra challenging.

Product or Brand Managers

Product or Brand Managers can be found in almost every industry ranging from IT, Retail, Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Publishing. These careers involve planning and developing the marketing strategy for a single product or group of products. They do the important role of estimating the consumer demand for the product they manage, identify potential customers, stay informed of any competing products on the market, develop pricing strategies, and oversee product development.

What Skills Will You Need to Become a Product or Brand Manager? If you want to become a Product or Brand Manager, you will normally have to gain experience and a high degree of business skills. Managing a Product or Brand is essentially about managing a business unit which entails knowledge in product development, marketing strategy, sales, supply-chains and distribution management. Since it is similar to running your own business, a certain degree of intrapreneurial spirit will help you get promoted faster. In fact, many Product or Brand Managers become Top Executives in their companies or eventually start their own business because of their exposure.

Pros & Cons: If you like running things and managing your own business unit, then this is the career for you. Here you will be exposed to different aspects of business. You will learn how to manage not just your product but people as well. But along with the power and control that you gain with your product, comes responsibility. As a Product or Brand Manager, you will ultimately be accountable for the success or failure of the product(s) that you manage. Traveling is normally involved, so it is not exactly your typically 9-5 job either. You may have to sometimes work beyond your regular hours of work, but successful product managers are well-paid.

Publicist or PR agent

This is another exciting career. Essentially, the job of a publicist is to increase public interest in his client. However, the type of work a publicist does is dependent upon his client’s needs. A publicist who represents celebrities or politicians arranges gigs like TV interviews or features in publications. In some cases, they also work as talent managers, helping out with endorsement deals and even doing damage control. Meanwhile, some companies also hire publicists or PR agents who work closely with media and journalists. They prepare press releases and press conferences for announcements about new initiatives and business developments of the company.

What Skills Will You Need to Become a Publicist or PR agent?
A career in Public Relations centers on relationship-building. Publicists and PR agents deal with different people, from their client, to journalists and media outfits. Aside from having many social and professional contacts, a good level of writing and communication skills are needed. This career is about people, so having people skills is essential.

Pros & Cons: It’s definitely not a job for shy people. This job entails having to deal with personalities and egos of people. Many times, there are intrigues and controversies that you will have to manage so it can be a challenging job. Sooner or later, you will learn to toughen up and use your street smarts. However, if you are able to build a long-lasting relationship with your client, their success becomes your success and it can give you many types of rewards.

These are just some of the most popular careers in the field of marketing today. More jobs will be featured in Part 3. Till then, good luck in finding the right career for you. (To be continued)

Jhoanna O. Gan-So is president of Businessmaker Academy and the managing director for HR Club Philippines. Her company conducts seminars on Business Management, Human Resource, Sales and Marketing Courses. They have also recently launched the INSTANT HR TOOLKIT, a service that provides HR practitioners with over 100 ready-to-use downloadable, customizable and printable HR manuals, contract, letters forms and templates. To know more about HR seminars that they offer, you may visit www.businessmaker-academy.com or call (632)6874645. To know more about the Instant HR Toolkit, you may visit www.hrclubphilippines.com. You may email your comments and questions to: mbworklife@gmail.com