If you’re seeking a career in advertising, you will need both a degree as well as real-world experience. Most advertising agencies are looking for candidates who have the knowledge, skills, and insights to succeed. The advertising world is a competitive field that can be challenging and exciting for an individual with a passion for the industry. More than just passion, however, you’ll have to be able to prove that you are the best candidate for the job.
Getting your foot into the door can take some time, and you might even feel discouraged when submitting your applications. While barriers exist in advertising for entry-level applicants, if you have the tools to break through the obstacles, you can find the perfect career with an advertising agency. Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to do to get a job in advertising.
Choose your area.
There are many opportunities in the area of advertising. Before you do anything else, you’ll need to narrow down your specialty area. If you’re a creative person, for example, you could consider art or graphic design degrees. If you’re more into the business side of advertising and marketing, you might look at a major in finance, administration, business, or management. Additionally, many working in ad agencies have communications and public relations degrees to handle the social aspect of the business.
Whatever you decide to do, the one thing that you can bet on is that most ad agencies will expect you to have at least an undergraduate degree. It isn’t impossible to find a job with the right combination of experience. However, a four-year degree is a standard rather than an exception. Other than the ones already discussed, popular degree choices among advertising candidates include marketing, art design, and technology.
Within the field of advertising, there are also different paths to consider. Product marketing is the most well-known. However, there are also brand and institutional marketing for companies and organizations. You could also choose to focus on specialties such as mobile marketing, social media marketing, or digital advertising. You’ll want to consider all of your choices and options and think about your strengths before deciding on your focus. Even within the same field, different jobs can require different skill sets, knowledge, and experiences.
Consider a higher education level.
One way to stand out in the crowd is to add a master’s degree to your resume. One of the most common master’s degrees for advertisers is a Master of Science in Marketing. Additionally, a Master of Business Administration can help you score jobs like media planner, marketing manager, or production coordinator. A higher level of education isn’t required; however, it might bump you up to the top of the list in a crowded field.
Get experience with an internship.
While education is key to finding success, experience is just as critical. Your experience with marketing or digital advertising will help set you apart from other candidates. An internship with an ad agency or marketing firm can run anywhere from a few weeks to a year and will allow you to work right alongside the professionals. Your responsibilities might include distributing promotional items, managing social media accounts, or performing administrative tasks. You might also be allowed to shadow professionals to get a real sense of what they do.
Along with helping you gain valuable experience, an internship will help you decide if a career in advertising is right for you. As you’ll be working on real projects and getting a better sense of the processes and challenges, you’ll know exactly what you’ll be signing up for. Once your internship is complete, you’ll be able to add it to your resume and distinguish yourself from other candidates.
It might seem difficult at first to get into the marketing industry. However, with drive, persistence, and hard work, you can land a position with an agency where you can find great success
