They say a career in marketing is not for the faint hearted! With that in mind it is best to go through a checklist for the skills and attributes required to enter what is both a fascinating but equally tough career market. In marketing terms they would call it a SWOT analysis of ‘YOU’! Look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats through the lens of a marketing scope. Ask yourself do you have the ability to stay calm under pressure? If you say ‘yes’ proceed to the following three questions. Do you have good organisational skills? Are you outgoing and energetic? And finally - Do you have a creative mind? The ability to be efficient, energetic and think ‘outside the box’ best describes a marketing manager or executive.
What is marketing really about and how do you reach the prestigious positions within this sector – read on!
Marketing looks at what a customer wants and then helps a company develop a product or service that meets a customer’s/market’s needs. It identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements. Businesses see it fundamental to their growth. The marketing process therefore involves developing and administering campaigns which will promote products, services or an organisation. Marketing strategies are used to advertise and package these products in user friendly ways that appeal to its target consumer group. Market research is also extensively used to seek out the 'image' which appeals to us, the consumer. We, as the consumer, often purchase items based on the image attached to them. Therefore the job of a market researcher is vital to the success of any product or service. They analyse our opinions and choices and actually tell a business what we want to buy!
The introduction of digital TV, along with the growth of mobile and internet communication means that Marketing is fast becoming an international activity. The increased use of communications technology in our lives has definitely increased the potential of Irish companies to sell their products or services to a massive global market. The disadvantage of the ease of access to global markets is increased competition.
A wide selection of business studies, commerce and marketing courses are offered via both third level institutes and private colleges. They offer awards at undergraduate and post-graduate level. If you are looking for a full-time course higher education course – there are up to 109 listed with the CAO. Your choices range from Level 7/8 to post-graduate level with Marketing – PR with events management with Sligo IT as one example at Level 7. If you want to go international with your marketing qualification – you won’t be able to avoid taking on another language. DIT offer an honours degree programme in International Business and Languages. DCU offer something similar with their Level 8 Business Studies International 4 year course. Graduates of both courses can look forward to exciting business careers in International Marketing, International Relations, International Law or Management.
If you don’t want to commit to a 3 or 4 year programme you could perhaps look to further education providers. Galway Community College offer a Level 5 Marketing – Public Relations & Event Management certificate. Whilst Galway Technical Institute offer a Level 5 Marketing for eBusiness certificate course.
A number of part- and full-time courses that allow people take the step into marketing are available from The Marketing Institute of Ireland, CMIT, Trainingshelf and CMI Communications and Management Institute offer a Level 6 comprehensive distance learning course in Marketing. This is an ideal option if you want to ‘test the water’ in this area. The Communications and Management Institute offer part-time and evening courses, which can lead to a Diploma in Marketing. If you want to combine IT skills with Marketing – Procad training offer a web-marketing and search engine optimisation course. Pitman Training offer Business IT Diploma with Marketing & PR. This Diploma will cover all aspects of marketing or it will allow you to work in a number of specific related areas. There is a vast array of options to choose from – the key is to check for qualification on completion and progression routes should you require them.
The alternative route into marketing is via sales, which demands the same qualities of people that marketing does. Therefore, if there is a career tug-of-war between sales and marketing in your mind - a Sales Management Skills course might be an option for you. (contact Griffin College for further information on their Sales Management Skills course)
As with most industries, there are ‘ups’ and ‘downs’. On the up-side, this career can involve lots of sociable work with launch parties and networking lunches. There are often opportunities to travel and there are excellent advancement opportunities if you show an interest and initiative. On the down-side, you might have to give up the odd evening and weekend to your work. Of course you are also expected to be up-beat all the time and finally it is extremely competitive.
After graduation it might be a good option to look for work-experience or an intern-placement as you wait for a full-time position. Marketing is a career area where contacts are everything. Start building them as soon as you can. Also a good place to start to demonstrate your marketing skills is to devise a marketing plan to sell yourself as a unique and valuable graduate to prospective employers! There is also the option of setting up your own marketing consultancy but building up work-experience and a client base would be an obvious pre-requisite.
A tip to succeed in the marketing world is to start getting brave when it comes to creativity. It might just help you stand out from the marketing graduate crowd.
To find marketing courses check out our Marketing Courses Category on Findacourse.ie >>
