So you want to be a digital marketer.
Whether you have aspirations to start your career in digital marketing or want to change your current career path, your new career path requires education and experience.
What level of education is necessary to get support in the marketing industry?
And is it worth it to invest in a digital marketing degree to advance your career?
Understanding what employers are looking for now and how to chart the best path from where to start is key.
In this column, we’ll explore the pros and cons of earning an official digital marketing degree.
The case for the degree of digital marketing
Since 1960, the college enrollment rate among high school graduates has increased significantly 46.8%.
Additionally, 19.1% of bachelor’s degrees and 11.6% of associate’s degrees are in business (field digital marketing degrees tend to be associated with it).
Obviously, undergraduate degrees are still growing in popularity, and business degrees are one of the most sought-after degrees for college students.
It increases your career opportunities
A bachelor’s degree in marketing remains the traditional approach to starting a college student’s career.
It serves as the foundation for building a strong educational foundation while having the credentials to back it up.
Your degree also serves as a notable addition to your resume to support your previous work experience.
In fact, in today’s job market and job interviews, some employers require you to be certified even to apply for a job.
Expand your skills
A four-year digital marketing degree opens the door to more potential job opportunities for employers who need an official degree.
Employers also understand that while your degree may be specialized in digital marketing, it is likely that you also have a broad range of business knowledge in various job areas such as finance, accounting, search engine optimization, social media, and public relations.
While obtaining a digital marketing certificate only indicates your specialization in one field.
Develops communication and analytical skills
Your educational experience in digital marketing will lead you to develop skills to understand consumer behavior and tools to attract, convert and retain customers.
It will also teach you to think critically about what motivates customers and pushes them to take action.
These demonstrable skills will be attractive to employers and can replace equivalent formal marketing work experience.
Enhances your earning potential
A bachelor’s degree holder earns an average income of $2.8 million – 75% more than if they only had a high school diploma.
A master’s degree gives you a greater competitive edge, earning an average of $3.2 million over their lifetime, while PhDs earn $4 million and professional degree holders earn $4.7 million.
Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average expected weekly earnings for an employee with a bachelor’s degree on their resume is $1,173, which greatly improves the average earnings of associate degree holders.
Their unemployment rate is also much lower, at 2.5%.
Based on these results, the relationship between education and potential average salary is quite evident.
The case against a digital marketing degree
The pandemic has transformed many economic and operational factors for many business sectors, including education.
Rapid digital adoption and required virtual learning have taught students that they can and will have to learn online.
A recent survey of high school students found that the likelihood of attending a four-year college decreased nearly 20% In less than a year – down to 53%, from 71%.
A third of respondents said the financial impact of the pandemic has made them less likely to attend a four-year university, and they are focusing more on apprenticeships and employment after college.
Access to online education has increased
While degrees were once a requirement for aspiring digital marketers, the pandemic has derailed this way of thinking.
Digital marketing courses and obtaining a digital marketing certificate are within our reach in every sense of the word.
In addition, certificate courses offer a convenient educational program option for students who do not have time to attend in-person classes.
Digital marketing professionals in the pipeline are now looking for online options to reduce costs and save time while receiving an education.
Four-year degrees are not required for entrepreneurs
When considering whether a college degree is worth it, consider your long-term plan.
Breaking into the digital marketing industry as an entrepreneur will not require a college degree.
Alternatively, digital marketing training, mentorship, or other online digital marketing programs may be enough to build your own business.
Running your own digital marketing business can also be profitable.
In search, for example, founders are likely to earn more than $200,000 annually, according to the latest Search Engine Journal. Search engine optimization status Transfer.
However, if your dreams are working 9-5 at a larger company, many of them require a formal marketing degree.
Without a degree, digital marketing talent recruiters at top companies might not even look at your resume.
Whether you prefer to go the online digital marketing degree route or the college degree route, it is not a mistake.
It is more affordable
Compared to attending graduate school, learning digital marketing through non-accredited digital marketing courses and starting a website is 10 times more profitable, with a 521% return on investment three years after starting your career in digital marketing compared to a return of 53% degree in digital marketing.
In addition, programs such as Google Digital Marketing Certificate Free.
When looking for reliable marketing software and SEO certifications, look for:
- Industry recognized digital marketing certification (Ex: HubSpot Content Marketing Certification).
- Placement assistance With potential employers after the course.
- Perfect courses (Ex: courses covering inbound marketing, email marketing, search engine marketing, mobile marketing, online advertising, and more).
- Hands-on experience with platforms And the technology that you will use in the marketing role.
It distinguishes you from other degree holders
When competing for a job in marketing, having a certificate enables you to stand out from others applying for the same job.
This appointment will feature prominently on your CV and show that you have taken an extra step towards achieving your career aspirations.
Indeed, according to Robert Half Technologies Salary Guide 2021a junior marketing manager without degrees can expect to earn $67,000 annually.
On the other hand, a Certified Marketing Manager earns approximately $116,500. The difference in earnings between the two is $43,000 per year.
So, what is best? Marketing Degree or Not Marketing Degree?
There are cases to be made of pursuing a formal education in a college rather than exploring degree options.
It boils down to your own preferences, the learning format that works best for you, the cost, and the goals.
If you excel in personalized learning and a more structured academic environment, a bachelor’s degree in marketing may be your best option.
Alternately, if you prefer to go at your own pace and have more hands-on experience in marketing, pursuing a certification may be in your best interest.
You can then build your portfolio with this hands-on experience to prove you are a strong candidate.
Whether you prefer to hone your digital marketing skills through a four-year university or want to start your career in marketing without a formal education depends on who you are and what works best for you personally.
There is no right or wrong way to approach a digital marketing job, and what works best for one person may not work for another.
Be true to the style of education you prefer and acquire the necessary skills. You’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful affiliate marketer on your own time.
More resources:
- 15 Essential Communication Skills for Digital Marketers
- How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Digital Marketing Jobs
- SEO for Beginners: An Introduction to SEO Basics
Featured image: fizkes/Shutterstock
