Did you know that the marketing industry is projected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031? Careers for marketing majors are increasing steadily, making these roles lucrative and rewarding options for international students!
A marketing degree offers a versatile range of transferable skills in communication, writing, public relations, media, and more. This broad skillset can lead to a range of marketing opportunities for students with a wide choice of careers. Read on to learn more about marketing, what jobs you can get with a marketing degree, and international education marketing jobs.
What Is Marketing?
Marketing is the creation and communication of ideas, services, and products, using the most effective channel of communication to a specific audience. When many students think of marketing, advertising often comes to mind, but this is just one part of a very diverse field.
Marketers require a thorough understanding of products, services, and their intended users or customers, often acquired through deep market research. Based on their research, marketing professionals develop innovative and unique communication strategies that complement their businesses’ brand and objectives.
Organizations leverage different types of marketing strategies and tactics based on market research, consumer behavioral analysis, and sales and distribution methods, all with the goals of determining which type is best for their brand and intended users. For example, some marketing campaigns could cover:
Print marketing – Sponsoring articles, photography, and other material in print publications that reach their potential customers.
Internet marketing – Placing digital campaigns (e.g., banner or pop-up ads) on websites that are popular with their potential users.
Social media marketing – Using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create brand awareness and engage with targeted audiences.
Search engine marketing – Paying a search engine to place links on search results pages to get high exposure to their intended customers.
Marketing roles are available in both the public and private sectors, at both businesses and nonprofit organizations. Different areas of marketing are coupled with specific skills requirements to fill the roles of marketing jobs for international students. US universities offer different marketing degrees to qualify students for a vast array of professions. Theoretical understanding, along with skills gained through practical learning experiences, helps you prepare for a variety of marketing careers.
So, what types of international marketing degree jobs can you look forward to? What jobs can you get with a marketing degree?
What Kind of Marketing Jobs Are Available to a Marketing International Student?
Businesses and organizations need marketing expertise in a variety of areas, including product development, distribution methods, sales, and advertising. So, with a degree in marketing, there are many international marketing degree jobs you can access.
Graduates from marketing programs are in demand at each end of the professional spectrum, from entry-level to executive roles. Here are some international marketing jobs to consider:
Data scientist
Marketing manager
Market research analyst
Sales manager
Social media manager
Each role can be very different, depending on the type of industry and business activity of the hiring organization. With a degree in marketing, you can gain the skills to qualify for these roles. Once hired, you’ll continue to grow a diverse skill set with broad experiences that can add significant value to your portfolio.
The best jobs for marketing majors depend on your specific interests, knowledge, qualifications, and career goals. In the US, you can explore multiple pathways to gain practical experience, including internships and opportunities for work before and after you graduate.
Internships
As an international student in the US, internship opportunities are a great way to gain first-hand work experience in marketing roles while you study. Organizations offering internship opportunities structure these programs around enrolled university students, enabling you to balance your internship workload with your study commitments. Additionally, internships give you the chance to learn from and work with industry experts, which can support your skill development while building your professional network.
Certain universities can also provide opportunities for virtual internships, such as the Career Premium program available at Shorelight universities. Through Career Premium, you can obtain skill certifications and training in Amazon Web Services, Java, Microsoft Azure, Python more. You can also work at a virtual internship with top US companies for up to 16 weeks, where you collaborate on real projects, participate in online boot camps, and get direct feedback from employers. When you complete the program, you will obtain a recommendation letter and certificate of completion.
OPT and CPT Programs
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to work and train in the US for 12 months while their degree is in progress (known as pre-completion), or after graduating (post-completion). Many students choose to pursue post-completion OPT opportunities, as this supports their efforts to build their career in the US and gain additional experience without the need to balance their work responsibilities with their studies. If you graduate with a STEM-related degree, you can request an additional 24 months of OPT, giving you a total of three years of working and training in the US!
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) opportunities, available with select degree programs, allow you to gain practical work experience through employment training or internships related to your area of study. As these opportunities are linked to degree programs, they cannot be utilized after graduation. The benefit to CPT compared to OPT is that CPT opportunities can be easier to apply for, as they are directly tied to your program.
While OPT and CPT have similar purposes, they are designed to meet the needs of different types of students. Your eligibility for many of these career-building opportunities will depend on the type of marketing degree you are pursuing.
What Kind of Career Paths Can I Take with a Marketing Degree?
Where can a marketing student work? So many places! Working in a marketing role will vary by industry, organization, skillset, and many other factors. Let’s take a closer look at some careers for marketing majors.
Advertising
US advertising budgets are expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2026, indicating that marketing jobs in the USA for international students, especially in advertising roles, are projected to grow.
If you wish to pursue a career in advertising, here are some roles to consider:
Advertising copywriter
Advertising and promotions manager
Digital advertising manager
Skills Needed
Marketing opportunities for students in advertising rely on skills useful in promoting products or services directly to customers. Marketers who specialize in advertising need to know how to plan efficiently and communicate effectively. They must understand their target audience and know the right medium for their message (e.g., TV commercial, billboard, radio spot, digital banner ad, or other). They must be good with finances, particularly on campaigns that are limited to a particular budget.
If you are looking to enter a career in advertising, here are some common skills needed:
Branding
Creative problem solving
Digital advertising strategy
Media planning
US-Based Advertising Companies That Hire International Students
US international marketing jobs and internships provide practical learning opportunities and can provide highly rewarding career opportunities to help you take your skills to the next level. Here are some companies offering marketing jobs in USA for internationals:
Google
Meta
Ogilvy
Public Relations
Careers for marketing majors in public relations (PR) are expected to see growth in the near future. Driven by an 8.3% industry expansion, PR agencies in the US earned an aggregate revenue of $20.2 billion in 2022, which was higher than in previous years, opening a window of marketing opportunities for marketing jobs for international students.
With a marketing degree you can apply for roles as a:
Customer relationship manager
Public relations manager
Public relations specialist
Skills Needed
As a public relations professional, your main objective is to build and maintain positive public sentiment for your organization and its stakeholders. This requires the ability to create careful public statements, stay updated on the latest news, and think quickly. Some skills you may need to excel in your PR job role may include:
Adaptability
Awareness of trends and current events
Communication
Writing
US-Based PR Companies That Hire International Students
The US is home to some of the most well-known and largest PR companies in the world. Securing a role with these companies can be challenging, but can give you a significant boost to your career through valuable learning opportunities and professional connections. Some public relations companies to consider are:
APCO Worldwide
Edelman
FleishmanHillard
Weber Shandwick
Media
Digital media, video, and live entertainment events are just a few media fields that can sponsor media marketing jobs for international students.
Some marketing jobs in the USA for internationals in the media industry include:
Media planner
Paid media manager
Video editor
Skills Needed
As media companies are constantly adapting to different consumer tastes and preferences, media marketing professionals need to be flexible, aware of the latest trends. Technical skills can also suit media marketers well. Marketers working in media should develop skills in:
AI and gamification
Communication strategy
Paid media strategy
US-Based Media Companies That Hire International Students
Companies in the US offering media-related internships and international marketing degree jobs include:
AT&T
Comcast
Hyde Park Entertainment
Netflix
Communications
Most marketing degrees give you a sound understanding of communication — brand positioning, establishing brand loyalty, digital communication, and more. There are many marketing opportunities for students in communications fields, as most companies require strong internal and external communications strategists.
Here are some careers in marketing communications you can consider:
Human resources communications manager
Marketing communications specialist
Web content manager
Skills Needed
As a communications professional, you should be proficient in:
Digital communications strategy
Reporting and analysis
Written and verbal communication
US-Based Communications Companies That Hire International Students
Nearly every type of employer in the US values good communication skills. Strong communicators have a positive impact on teamwork and business productivity. Examples of world-renowned companies that seek applicants skilled in communications include:
Alphabet
Frontier Communications
Lumen Technologies
Verizon
Sales
Careers in sales are a great option if you are confident, persuasive, and enjoy interacting with others. While these careers can be demanding, they are also very lucrative and have the potential for high earnings. If you are looking for a career in sales, your marketing degree can come in handy, as many of the skills and knowledge you learn will make you a better salesperson.
With your marketing degree, you may qualify for sales positions such as:
Account executive
Sales manager
Sales representative
Skills Needed
Aiming for a career in sales involves outstanding communication skills, as you will likely negotiate with potential buyers of your brand’s products and services. You will also have to analyze sales data, make forecasts, and more. Improving your understanding of the following skills can help you perform better in sales-related roles:
Digital media
Finance and budgeting
Strategic sales management
Trend analysis
US-Based Sales Companies That Hire International Students
Whether it is a tech company or retail business, many types of organizations require a sales team. Here are some world-renowned companies in the US with potential marketing jobs for international students.
Amazon
Apple
Cisco Systems
Intel
Consulting
Consulting involves providing advisory services to businesses to support strategic decisions, product or service launches, and more. Marketing consulting firms are a $79 billion industry, employing more than 530,000 professionals. With a marketing degree, you can embark on a consulting career path as a:
Business development consultant
Marketing consultant
Market research analyst
Skills Needed
Consultants in international marketing jobs require strong analytical skills to gather, interpret, and act on large quantities of data, then use their findings to provide accurate and actionable advice to businesses. Marketing consultants should have deep skills in areas such as:
Lead generation strategy
Market analysis
Marketing automation
Research
US-Based Consulting Companies That Hire International Students
Consulting agencies are often highly specialized, and you can even aim to become an independent consultant once you gain enough experience and build your client base. Marketing consultant companies with the highest market share in the US offering marketing jobs for international students include:
Accenture
Bain & Company
Boston Consulting Group
Business
Effective marketing is essential to the success of every organization. At undergraduate level, marketing degrees help you develop a variety of skills including general numerical skills, planning, advertising, problem solving, and many more that are applicable to operating a business smoothly.
With a marketing degree, you can apply for business roles such as:
Human resources manager
Management trainee
Project manager
Skills Needed
As the overall field of business is broad, with many different types of careers you can pursue, the exact skills you need will depend on the specific career you want. Here are a few skills to develop that are beneficial for nearly every type of business role:
Interpersonal communication
Organization skills
Planning
US-Based Business Companies That Hire International Students
At the entry level, if you are looking to be employed in any business, you can choose from many top US companies that are open to hiring international students. They include:
Alphabet
Bloomberg
Chevron Corporation
Citigroup
Management
Management positions in the field of marketing require you to be familiar and skilled with marketing as a whole, as you are trusted with overseeing and coordinating the efforts of other marketers who work with you, as well as developing your organization’s marketing strategy and projected outcomes. As a result, with a marketing degree, you can pursue careers such as:
Marketing manager
Promotions manager
Sales manager
Skills Needed
Being an effective leader and manager requires you to utilize your practical knowledge of marketing and leadership strategies to effectively collaborate with your team to reach your business’s objectives. To carry out your tasks as a manager effectively, considering growing your skills in the areas of:
Communication
Leadership
Organization
Presentation
US-Based Management Companies That Hire International Students
Starting off in a management position can be exciting, rewarding, and challenging; many companies in the US look for confidence and strong work ethic in applicants for these roles. Some companies to consider for managerial roles include:
Alvarez & Marsal
Capital One
Deloitte
McKinsey & Company
Analyst
Analysts work with vast amounts of complex data to provide businesses with a variety of key insights that drive consumer trends and business strategies. Marketing degrees that have statistics curriculum can serve graduates well in analyst roles such as:
Data scientist
Management analyst
Social media analyst
Skills Needed
Analyst careers require strong math skills and an understanding of how to find and interpret key data sources. If you are confident in your knowledge of math, look into developing more specialized skills, such as:
Advanced data analytics and statistics
Business research
Dashboard-building and reporting
Structures Query Language (SQL)
US-Based Analyst Companies That Hire International Students
Nearly every type of business requires individuals with analytical skills, as analysts provide the information and data that enables companies to improve and grow. Companies with top opportunities for international marketing students interested in becoming analysts include:
Fractal Analytics
Gartner
IBM Corporation
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Social Media
More than 90% of employees in marketing roles use social media tools to interact with their customers. If you are interested in exploring career opportunities in social media marketing, your marketing degree can help you land internship or job roles as a:
Social media executive
Social media manager
Social media producer
Skills Needed
Social media platforms and the tools they offer are constantly evolving. Marketers will need to stay nimble, constantly updating their skills in:
Content planning
Graphic design
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Trend analysis
US-Based Social Media Companies That Hire International Students
While most organizations offer positions for different roles in social media marketing and management, certain organizations specialize exclusively in these fields. The activities and environments of these companies can help you develop key skills needed to become a professional in social media. These include companies such as:
Hoot Suite
Sprinklr
Sprout
By pursuing a marketing degree, you can look forward to developing the specialized knowledge and job skills required in marketing careers. As the industry continues to grow, a wide variety of marketing jobs in the USA for international students offer rewarding salaries and opportunities for growth.
Average Pay with a US Marketing Degree in the US
Since most marketing jobs require a bachelor’s degree, earning your bachelor’s in marketing has the potential to open new career paths and rewarding long-term prospects. Let’s take a look at a few marketing roles you can consider for work in the US, as well as their average annual salary:
Content writer
Average Annual Salary
$73,218
Data scientist
Average Annual Salary
$116,323
Graphic designer
Average Annual Salary
$63,592
Marketing manager
Average Annual Salary
$134,468
Market research analyst
Average Annual Salary
$92,325
Public relations specialist
Average Annual Salary
$69,014
Sales manager
Average Annual Salary
$113,887
Search engine optimization specialist
Average Annual Salary
$63,900
Social media manager
Average Annual Salary
$89,772
Source: Salary Expert
Through Shorelight’s research and resources, you can identify which marketing career pathway will suit you best. By participating in career development programs, Shorelight advisors can offer guidance for your best-fit roles – and indicate which degree programs will set you up for success in your preferred role!
Need Help Finding More Information About Marketing Jobs in the US?
With so many unique roles in marketing careers to choose from and a variety of top US organizations you can apply to, it can be a challenge to find your best choice! You can always reach out to a Shorelight advisor for more information on your options for marketing careers in the US and how you can work toward these roles while you study. Your advisor is ready to support you from the point of application all the way to graduation, with services including application prep, visa assistance, academic guidance, and career counseling.
By preparing for your future marketing career while enrolled at your US university, you can get a head start on the competition and stand out to employers in the US or anywhere in the world!
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