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Nike, McDonalds, Coca-Cola -- all well-known companies,
with easily identifiable products, who stand out among
their competitors by and through their advertising.
Logos, catch phrases, pictures, sounds -- these byproducts
of advertising are often just as much a part of a company
or brand as the products themselves. A ‘swoosh’
symbol on the side of a shoe, Michael Jordan, a sesame
seed bun, a clown in a yellow jumpsuit with a red wig,
a red and white soda can, or a ‘secret formula’
can immediately trigger images of certain products.
Actually, all of these products have a secret formula.
That formula is, talented people + strong advertising
= a successful product.
Advertising is no longer a bunch of old men sitting
around a big table in a smoke-filled room, coming up
with cheesy jingles and silly sales pitches. Advertising
is now a high tech industry using innovative technologies
and cutting-edge business practices. It’s a rare
success story these days in which someone has successfully
‘made it’ in the advertising industry without
an advertising or related degree. Gone are the days
when a catchy phrase or good idea would move you from
the mailroom to a plush executive office. A marketing
degree is truly a necessity to make it in advertising
today.
What makes an advertising degree
program great?
What differentiates a good advertising degree program
from a great one is the ability to balance education
and class time with real world experience and training.
Many of the better programs now enable students to get
a taste of what it’s like to work in and with
advertising companies through internship opportunities
and the chance to network with those already in the
workforce. The gap between classroom studies, coursework,
and real world experience is often filled in better
degree programs with group work, projects, presentations,
simulations, and team exercises. This structured experience
can prepare a student for what to expect when working
in the advertising industry.
Why do I need a degree?
You might be saying to yourself, “I already have
great creativity, intelligence, and the perfect personality
needed to fit within the world of advertising. Why do
I need a degree too?
It’s a great question, and one that is pondered
by students of nearly every degree program at some point.
It’s true that creativity, intelligence, and a
great personality are all characteristics that can play
a huge role in succeeding within the advertising industry.
However, the ability to harness and best utilize these
characteristics in the most effective way possible is
what a degree program can offer. Not only this, but
you will be provided with tools such as courses that
teach the latest in industry standards, technology,
as well as discovering more about the different advertising
careers available. Your degree will also make you eligible
to apply for many positions that require, or at least
request a degree, and can give you a leg up on the competition
when searching for jobs.
Career in Advertising
One of the best things about working in advertising
is that there is a wide variety of positions available
to both outgoing personalities as well as the more introverted
type. From the public relations, sales, marketing, and
management roles, to the artistic development, research,
and strategic aspects of the industry, the available
careers run the gambit. Entering the field with a degree
from a top program can allow you to settle in to a mid
to upper-level position earlier in your career. While
those without degrees might spend their first years
in the industry building experience as assistants, junior
sales execs, or in similar subordinate roles, you can
utilize your education to leapfrog some of those entry-level
positions, allowing for better pay and better career
advancement opportunities.
For more information regarding marketing programs,
check out the Marketing
Schools directory.
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