As an advisor for students in the MS Marketing program at USF Muma College of Business, I often get questions like:
- “What kind of positions can I apply to after graduation?â€
- “How will a degree in marketing move me forward in my career?â€
- “Will this degree prepare me for a marketing director position?â€
The answer to those depends on your background, but most students fall into one of these categories:
1. The Working Professional
These students usually have 3 to 6 years of experience in marketing and already work as marketing coordinators or marketing managers.
- If you have less experience, you’ll likely be ready to apply for a mid-level position such as a marketing manager after graduation.
- If you already have 5+ years of experience, this degree can help you reach a higher-level role like marketing director.
2. The Undergrad-to-Grad
These students come straight from undergrad and have no full-time experience in marketing. If they do work, it’s part-time and usually not in marketing.
- After graduation, they often get jobs like marketing coordinator or social media manager.
- With a few years of experience, it becomes easier for them to move into higher-level roles.
- Internships are strongly recommended for these students to help them build real-world experience.
3. The Career Pivoter
These students have already worked full-time, but not in marketing. They want to change careers.
- Internships may be hard for them if they work full-time, but they can still build
experience by doing:
- Class projects
- Finding a mentor
- Or volunteering for marketing work in their community
Even though their path may be different, they can still reach success in marketing by building up experience along the way.