The Career Profile Project

Job Title and Job Description

Marketing Specialist

Responsible for developing & designing marketing programs, researching industry/marketing trends, analyzing effectiveness of campaigns, & continuously improving programs/campaigns to support the growth of company products and services. Take on many roles.

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Product Marketing Specialist, Internet Marketing Specialist, Sales marketing Specialist, Email Marketing Specialist, Search Marketing Specialist, Marketing Assistant

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

At the time I was hired, I had 2-3 years of related work experience, close to 10 years experience working with Adobe products (Photoshop most importantly), had attained a Graphic Design Certificate, and was working towards my Associates Degree in Business Marketing & Sales.

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

The greatest thing about this field is the wide variety of tasks involved. It?s very important to get your hands dirty, play with the necessary software/programs, and get some hands-on experience. College education is important to help you understand the business world, to sharpen your communication skills, and to practice working under pressure. See if you can find an internship or job where you can write, design, and/or analyze data so you can expand your knowledge early on. And never stop looking for ways to improve your work, that?s what marketing is all about.

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

Yes - I most certainly did. I loved spending my extra time in the Graphic Design classroom playing with Adobe Photoshop, taking pictures (a hobby I still love) and developing film in the darkroom. I volunteered to create business cards for local businesses, and wrote poems/submitted photos in the school newsletter. I?ve always loved being creative!

Skills Profile

Skills Used	Rating (5=Most Important thru 1=Not Important)	Comments
Artistic		Not necessary if you?re not designing/critiquing ads
Athletic / Physical
Bilingual
Computer Technology
Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment		Just a mouse and keyboard
Creative Thinking
Interpersonal		Involves a great deal of communication with others
Investigative / Fact Finding
leadership and Supervising
Logical Thinking
Math		Required if you?re analyzing data
Mechanical Understanding		Required if you have a client with Industrial/Mechanical products/services
Sales and Negotiation		Ability to confidently pitch your ideas
Scientific and Experimental
Social Service / Helping Skills
Teaching / Instructing		Your best feedback comes from those who understand your goals
Verbal Communication
Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals
Understanding Yourself
Writing
Interview By: Rachael, Marketing Specialist