A position as a junior marketing associate is an excellent way to launch a marketing career. Junior marketing associate jobs can be found in a wide variety of industries, such as consumer goods, business-to-business and professional services. Junior marketing associates typically serve as part of a team, working under the supervision of a senior marketing associate.
Job Outlook for Junior Marketing Associates
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment for marketing careers, including junior marketing associates, is projected to remain steady in the coming years. Domestic and global competition in consumer products and services will drive this job growth. Job competition is tough, and the best marketing career opportunities will be for job seekers with specialized skills or advanced education.
Job Duties
Junior marketing associate job duties vary according to the industry. In general, they are responsible for assisting with tasks needed to keep a client project or campaign running smoothly. These tasks often include supporting the production of marketing materials; updating client-facing advertising pieces, reports and presentations; tracking projects and team activities; assisting with client communications and standardizing marketing materials.
A junior marketing associate will usually work in a corporate office. To provide support to senior-level staff, entry-level marketing staff may occasionally have to travel on business. A fast-paced environment is typical, and long hours are sometimes required.
Junior Marketing Associate Salary Potential
Salaries vary for junior marketing associates, depending on the size of the employer and the industry involved. National salary data on PayScale.com indicated that marketing associate salaries ranged between $32,954 and $49,555 in July 2010. Junior marketing associates will typically start at (or below) the lower end of that range. However, those starting off in entry-level roles can achieve higher earnings as they attain further education and experience over the course of their marketing careers.
Education and Training for Marketing Careers
While employers often require a specialized advertising or marketing education, people from a variety of academic backgrounds can establish a career in marketing. The industry is known for offering entry-level or internship roles that lead to positions of greater responsibility and visibility. Most senior-level positions are filled through promotions of experienced staff who are already employed within a company; however, employers will also hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing. An associate’s degree can help graduates get their start in the industry through an internship or entry-level job.
The first step to a junior marketing associate career can begin with an associate’s degree in marketing. Coursework typically includes statistics, accounting, writing, economics, social science and a variety of marketing topics.
A marketing education prepares graduates to:
- Deploy market-specific solutions for common business challenges.
- Understand the strategies involved in the marketing of goods and services.
- Effectively communicate with clients, senior agency executives and consumers.
- Apply the latest marketing tools to both start-up and established companies.
- Transition into a bachelor’s in marketing program.
Many firms offer opportunities for continuing education. It’s possible to gain an entry-level job with an associate’s degree and use an employer’s tuition assistance program to pay for a bachelor’s degree.
Is a Junior Marketing Associate Career in Your Future?
If you have strong communication and organizational skills, a positive attitude and a professional manner, a junior marketing associate career might be an excellent match for your capabilities.