Career Resources >> Browse Articles >> Entering the Marketing, Advertising or PR Field

How to Become a Marketing/Advertising/PR Professional

Step 1: Understand the Media Universe

Current media professionals will be the first to tell you that knowing what area of the industry you want to get into is the key to your success. So, what we’re saying is, don’t rely on a psychic to advise you of your career path – Do the research and find the right one for you! To help you get started, read the brief overview below and get some ideas as to what industry might be right for you.

1. PR- Companies want to stand out from the crowd. This is where you come in. In a world where the public is the buyer and the media are the sellers, it’s your job to make sure both the public and the media have the correct understanding of your company/client. People who do well in PR are those with excellent communication skills (You’ll need to be able to spin a bad situation into an advantage), skilled multi-taskers, (So many people, so little time!) and a creative thinker (Helping a company reach it’s full potential will be one of your top priorities.)

2. Advertising – Don’t believe what you see on TV. Advertising isn’t all martini-drenched lunches, snazzy ad campaigns and hobnobbing with elite industry leaders – it’s also a lot of hard work! Ad professionals are especially determined go-getters with an eye for what works and a passion for all things brand related. Think you can cut the mustard? You’re core duties will include: getting the public excited about the product, thinking of the best ways to deliver that product (Will television, radio, internet reach your audience better?), making sure your client’s needs are met and much, much, more! A good ad professional’s job is never done.

3. Marketing- Behind every successful ad professional, salesperson or PR guru is a marketer. This profession is the guts, the spirit and the backbone of the whole operation. In this field, you’ll be analyzing stats and demographics in order to anticipate the public’s needs and then position the company to fulfill those needs . Strategic thinking is a marketer’s key talent. If your creative brilliance matches your strategic and analytical genius, marketing will make for a very rewarding career.

In general, persons interested in these careers should be mature, creative, highly motivated, resistant to stress, flexible, and decisive. The ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, with other managers, staff, and the public is vital. You’ll also need tact, good judgment and exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective personal relationships with staff members and client firms.

Before choosing which industry will suit you best, try asking yourself how you measure up in the following areas: