Marketing and Sales is a fast-paced and dynamic career cluster built on communication, action, decisions, and results. From generating ideas to testing ads and measuring sales, marketing careers offer creativity, relationship building, and variety.
Sales roles involve competition, challenge, and goal orientation; they often pay a base rate with bonuses and commissions that depend on sales.
Careers in marketing and sales are expected to grow faster than average, driven by the explosion in digital marketing. Employers in this cluster look for candidates with skills in verbal and written communication, analysis, and digital tools.
Careers in the cluster that typically require a high school diploma include retail sales, cashiers, customer service representatives, retail sales supervisors, floral designers, and advertising sales agents.
With some college or a post-secondary certificate, candidates may qualify for positions as office machine repairers, photographers, or product demonstrators.
A bachelor’s degree is required for marketing or sales managers, market research analysts, data scientists, business intelligence analysts, purchasing agents, and buyers.
A graduate degree may be required for work as a statistician or sociologist.
Is a career in marketing and sales right for you? Keep these points in mind:
- The job market for entry-level marketing positions is quite competitive.
- A 40-hour work week is typical for jobs in this cluster, although some roles demand long hours or fast turnaround times for projects.
- Pressure to meet targets and sales goals can create high stress.
- Marketing can offer the opportunity to influence how the public views a cause or product; a skillful ad can stir the thoughts and emotions of the viewer to align with specific values.
Whatever your career direction, you can find options that fit. Keep exploring at CareerOneStop.org/ExploreCareers
