While there are many vocational paths that can help individuals attain the professional success and occupational mobility they want, opting for a career in marketing can be particularly rewarding. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that pay is competitive and opportunities for promotions abound. Generally, people who choose to pursue a career in marketing explore their educational options in order to make themselves more marketable job candidates. In some cases, individuals earn their bachelor’s degree to facilitate job mobility yet find themselves asking a very important question: “How soon after getting my bachelor’s degree should I pursue an MBA in marketing?” There are several factors to consider before heading back to school.
Marketing Work With A Bachelor’s Degree
Individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in order to help jumpstart their career in marketing are off to a good start. There are a variety of wonderful careers within the field of marketing that require a bachelor’s degree. One such position is that of marketing manager. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the primary responsibilities of a marketing manager is to plan and implement programs that will generate interest in a business’s products and/or services. This involves the utilization of knowledge and experience that is generally attained in undergraduate coursework. The average annual salary is $115,750.
Another career option for individuals with an undergraduate degree is in market research analysis. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, market research analysts examine the potential sales of a good or product. By working within this field, you could expect to earn around $60,300 annually.
How An MBA in Marketing Can Help You
As made plain above, you do not have to obtain an MBA in marketing in order to earn a competitive income within the field. However, a desire for more education or the will to run one’s own business can be motivating factors for attaining an MBA. Generally, MBA marketing students will take courses in marketing management, global marketing, advertising management, and relationship marketing. These courses will provide you with the knowledge and experience necessary to excel in the world of marketing. Some career options you will have with this degree include entrepreneurial endeavors as well as marketing management.
Getting Into A MBA Marketing Program
Individuals who are thinking about getting their MBA must consider the requirements for getting into an MBA marketing program. This is important because you may need to take courses or fulfill other requirements before gaining enrollment in a program. Some of the courses that you might be required to take include college algebra, foundations of business, and marketing principles. For this reason, you may not be able to enroll in a marketing MBA program immediately after completing your bachelor’s degree. In some cases, completing the prerequisites can take one or even two semesters, causing you to have to wait a year before pursuing your MBA in marketing (see “What Are the Prerequisites for an MBA in Marketing?” )
Another factor you should take into consideration is the preparation of application essays, resumes, GMAT scores, and letters of recommendation. Putting together one’s application can take anywhere from a day to several months, depending on how quickly you can access and complete the required forms. Thus if you have not begun the MBA application process near or shortly after you graduated with your bachelor’s, it may take several months for the process to be complete.
Finally, you should note that while marketing MBA programs do not always require work experience, attaining hands-on experience in the real world could make you a more marketable candidate. You may want to complete an internship or work within the field of marketing for six months or even a year before applying to an MBA marketing program.
Summing It All Up
The primary factor that should determine how soon you pursue an MBA in marketing after attaining your bachelor’s degree is your motivation for returning to school. As made plain by the information listed above, there are a variety of well-paying jobs within the marketing sector that an individual could pursue and achieve with the bachelor’s degree alone. Yet if you are seeking to become a more competitive job candidate or want a promotion, earning an MBA in marketing could be a great idea. If you’re seeking the aforementioned type of job advancement immediately, it may be a good idea to begin pursuing your MBA in marketing immediately after earning your bachelor’s degree.
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