What you make of your advertising career is completely up to you. To succeed in an advertising career, you need to be creative, organized, motivated, tactful, outgoing, decisive, and tough. In an advertising career there are numerous career options available due to the diversity of the advertising world.
The four major career paths in advertising are account management, media and research, and creative services. Careers in advertising involve variety, compensation based on performance, creativity, travel, satisfaction from seeing ones' personal accomplishments, and contact with others. Career opportunities in advertising include journals, magazines, and openings in private advertising agencies, advertising departments in private or public sector companies, and advertising sections of newspapers, commercial sections of radio or television, and market research organizations.
A degree in the field is necessary and the course of study should include marketing, consumer behavior, market research, sales, communication methods and technology. College graduates with extensive experience, a high level of creativity, and strong communication skills will have the best career opportunities. Certification is a sign of competence and achievement in this field and is particularly important in a competitive job market. This doesn't mean you're going to get that top floor office or the six figure income and creative control of advertising campaigns with your first job. But if you're serious about your career in the industry, you can get into it and do very well. Many advertising jobs, especially those related to client service or graphics, do not require extensive previous experience, many fresh graduates are hired. You will find that most jobs on the business side of advertising include account management, account planners, and media buyers. Many advertising jobs are found in advertising agencies, media organizations, advertising departments in business firms, non¬profit organizations, and marketing research firms. The most motivated, energetic, well-organized candidates with top-notch analytic and communication skills will land the best jobs. If you do have what it takes, a career in advertising and marketing offers challenges and rewards far beyond most jobs.
