Marketing Specialist Career Information

A marketing specialist develops and implements campaigns to help businesses meet their financial and strategic goals. These marketing experts act as in-house counsel, using their research skills and marketing savvy to ensure businesses understand how to reach their target audience.

What skills do you need to become a marketing specialist?

Marketing specialists need a mix of hard and soft skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills are a must, as you need to be able to speak to a variety of stakeholders and shift your voice based on your target audience. You also need to have solid data analysis, organizational, and research skills to glean insights that help businesses thrive. Customer service skills are useful, too, as many marketing roles require regular interaction with clients, donors, or other stakeholders.

What experience and/or certifications do you need to be a marketing specialist?

You can apply to a marketing role once you have your bachelor’s degree, but most specialists have considerable prior marketing experience. Many marketing professionals have a degree in marketing, communication, or business administration, but English and advertising are also popular choices. Before applying to a job, you should know the ins and outs of SEO, Google Analytics, and social media. Popular marketing software includes HootSuite, which allows you to optimize and schedule social media posts, and MailChimp and HubSpot, which provide comprehensive email marketing solutions. Finally, basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and InDesign will certainly prove helpful.

Internship experience is vital in marketing, and nearly 75 percent of marketing specialists have done one or more internships before applying to a full-time marketing specialist role. While there are many marketing certifications available, both in specific tools and skills, certification is not necessary for most roles. Rather, employers will look for a track record of measurable success in previous positions.

What companies and industries employ marketing specialists?  

Marketing specialists are most likely to be employed in marketing, advertising, and financial services industries. Other industries that employ marketing professionals include healthcare, nonprofits, and information technology. There are opportunities to find marketing jobs across the country and around the globe. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Atlanta are all popular options for recent graduates.

What is the job outlook and salary for marketing specialists?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of marketing jobs is expected to grow by 9% over the next decade, which is faster than average. Because marketing is a broad field, there are many career paths to explore. Marketing specialists can work in brand management, market research, sales, advertising, or public relations. Salaries vary widely across industries, but the median pay across different marketing occupations ranges from $50,370–$127,990 per year.