If you’re looking to enter the field of business marketing, you might be wondering what skills you should have. The good news is, there isn’t just one right answer! It’s more like an endless cycle of training and learning that can only make you better. Being knowledgeable in all things marketing is what will make you valuable to any business. This guide will help you figure out what skills you need to develop before heading off to university or continuing your education at a professional level. Let’s get started.
Skills You Need
Before you even begin your studies, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the skills to back it up. It would be great to study business marketing, only to find out that you don’t have the ability to write persuasively or design marketing campaigns. If you’re taking your education seriously, you’ll need to work on improving these skills before even thinking about applying for a job in the field. Fortunately, this is something that you can work on throughout your entire education. There’s no fixed schedule for mastering new skills, so you’ll have the opportunity to develop the ones you need, when you need them. This is the perfect scenario for those who consider themselves self-starters. If you’re looking to further develop these skills, you might also consider taking some classes outside of your degree program. This could be in the form of a specialised Certificate III in Marketing or even an online business marketing course. Let’s have a look at each of these types of courses in a bit more detail.
Degree vs Certificate III
Many students choose to undertake a bachelor’s degree in business, with a concentration on marketing, or even combine business with another major, such as economics or finance. If you’ve got a clear idea of what you’d like to study and are looking for a degree to back it up, then you should consider applying for an appropriate bachelor’s program. The amount of coursework and workload will vary from semester to semester, but you’ll generally have to complete at least sixty hours of academic work each week. Remember, too, that you’re not locked into any particular major. You can minor in marketing, or even go for a double-major and study, for example, business and economics. If you’re looking for a career in marketing, then you should consider looking into a degree, rather than a certificate program. Degrees will put you ahead of the competition, and give you the tools and knowledge to get the job done. If you don’t have a clear idea of what you’d like to study yet, then it might be a good idea to consider undertaking a Certificate III in Marketing. This will give you the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, whilst developing and expanding your skillset. A good idea would be to take a few subjects from each area, so you can compare and contrast how different industries and sectors approach marketing. For example, you could take a class on consumer behaviour, alongside a class on sales and marketing. The former will give you a general understanding of how consumers interact with brands and products, whilst the latter will focus on marketing strategies used by specific industries (e.g. Retail, Travel, etc.). It’s also a good idea to take classes that don’t solely focus on theoretical knowledge. It will help you develop the skills that are needed to solve practical problems.
Specialised Certificates
If you’ve got a specific area of marketing that you’d like to focus on, and would like to build on your existing skills, then it’s a good idea to consider taking a specialised Certificate III in Business Marketing. This will give you the opportunity to focus on marketing management, marketing analytics, or even multimedia marketing. If you’d like to go the extra mile, you could also consider taking a marketing course in an accredited university, with a specialised Certificate IV in Marketing. This will introduce you to even more advanced theories and methodologies, as well as give you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a real-life enterprise. If you’re looking to further develop your existing skills, then a certificate program would be a good choice. Remember, too, that there’s no specific timetable for these types of courses. You can take as long as you need, to develop the skills you need. Don’t worry about not being able to get a job after you graduate, as there will always be options available. A good idea would be to look for opportunities within your current circle of friends and colleagues, who are already in the workforce. Chances are, they’ll be able to give you some good advice about what’s required, and help you get your foot in the door.
Online Business Marketing Courses
If you’re looking for an accessible and affordable option that will allow you to develop your existing skills, then it’s a good idea to consider an online business marketing course. This is something that’s become popular because it’s flexible, and allows you to fit your studies around your existing schedule. If you don’t have a lot of free time, and would like to develop your skills, then an online business marketing course could be a good choice. You’ll have the opportunity to read and gain practical knowledge from highly respected industry experts. Lecturers from some of the nation’s best universities are available to give you the teaching you need, when you need it.
An important thing to consider about an online business marketing course is that you’ll likely need to do a lot of reading. Whilst there will be some classes that you have to attend, the majority of the work will be done outside of class. You’ll likely want to set aside some time after your studies, for you to read the course materials and take advantage of the information taught within them. A good idea would be to setup some time each week, between 5 – 10 pm, to study. This will give you an opportunity to get ahead on the information, and ensure you retain the most out of your studies.
When choosing a university to complete your education, or even where you’ll take a certificate III or IV in Marketing, you’ll want to find one that’s reputable and well-known for its courses. This way, you’ll be able to find ample opportunities within the work place, once you graduate. Remember, too, to look for courses that are accredited by relevant professional bodies, such as the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). This way, you can be sure that, no matter where you are in the world, the course will be recognised and accepted in a similar way. For those who are interested in a career in marketing, or want to further develop their existing skills, then an accredited course, from a reputable university, is a must.