Marketing degrees are they useless?
Poll
Marketing degrees are they useless?
With the ever increasing usage of marketing automation SaaS (Marketo, HubSpot, Salesforce, etc), the increasing prevalence of AI (Bard and ChatGPT), combined with the need for employees to be able to write engaging content for websites, etc, understand statistics/data science and microeconomic concepts(game Theory) and write interesting and engaging articles (blogs, etc) are Marketing degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate) now irrelevant?
Would a degree in Economics then Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma be a better route than a Marketing degree at undergrad, as I note that McKinsey, Bain & Co, BCG, and other management consulting firms prefer Economics graduates to do marketing roles, especially with the increasing use of econometric models, such as Marketing Mix Modelling, GIS (Hotelling), etc.
At a lot of companies that I have looked at Engineering, Modern Languages, Economics, Data Science, and History degrees are preferred to Marketing degrees. I asked one company was this the case, and was told that they prefer to train people in-house and via the Chartered Institute of Marketing's courses.
At some universities Marketing degrees seem to be a money making scheme for universities, even RG universities, as staff teaching their courses have minimal (2 years to 6 months or less) experience in marketing. Very few have any links to companies, industries or sectors. The only institutions that did were UAL, Durham University, Reading University, AUB, and Manchester University for undergraduate degrees. Staff biographies at the universities I looked at often showed that they had no experience with any sector.
Would a degree in Economics then Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma be a better route than a Marketing degree at undergrad, as I note that McKinsey, Bain & Co, BCG, and other management consulting firms prefer Economics graduates to do marketing roles, especially with the increasing use of econometric models, such as Marketing Mix Modelling, GIS (Hotelling), etc.
At a lot of companies that I have looked at Engineering, Modern Languages, Economics, Data Science, and History degrees are preferred to Marketing degrees. I asked one company was this the case, and was told that they prefer to train people in-house and via the Chartered Institute of Marketing's courses.
At some universities Marketing degrees seem to be a money making scheme for universities, even RG universities, as staff teaching their courses have minimal (2 years to 6 months or less) experience in marketing. Very few have any links to companies, industries or sectors. The only institutions that did were UAL, Durham University, Reading University, AUB, and Manchester University for undergraduate degrees. Staff biographies at the universities I looked at often showed that they had no experience with any sector.
(edited 7 months ago)
I honestly think quite the opposite. With so many tools to do the work of copywriters, graphic designers and analytics, marketing individuals are more in demand. Those who just know how to ideate, plan, manage campaigns.
It's the execution and reporting that has become automated. It's still a very human based field that requires lateral thinking and social interactions.
It's the execution and reporting that has become automated. It's still a very human based field that requires lateral thinking and social interactions.
Original post by DodoBB
I honestly think quite the opposite. With so many tools to do the work of copywriters, graphic designers and analytics, marketing individuals are more in demand. Those who just know how to ideate, plan, manage campaigns.
It's the execution and reporting that has become automated. It's still a very human based field that requires lateral thinking and social interactions.
It's the execution and reporting that has become automated. It's still a very human based field that requires lateral thinking and social interactions.
Do you think that Marketing degrees are worthwhile?
Well i employ two grads to support my sales section with marketing degrees and I can tell you they are absolutely brilliant at the job. They understand modern marketing methods and the work they do is amazing,
I don't doubt that yes with tool A you can do X and with tool Y you can now do Z but someone has to do that work and you cant beat someone who is fully clued up on the latest social media trends and knows what they are talking about. In a marketing setting they have grown as they understand our products and have used learnt techniques to support marketing our USPs in the most effective ways.
Knowledge is power as they say. So yes, a Marketing degrees are worthwhile if you are going into a marketing related job.
Normal rules apply for standing out from other grads in securing these job roles post qualification. Good luck
I don't doubt that yes with tool A you can do X and with tool Y you can now do Z but someone has to do that work and you cant beat someone who is fully clued up on the latest social media trends and knows what they are talking about. In a marketing setting they have grown as they understand our products and have used learnt techniques to support marketing our USPs in the most effective ways.
Knowledge is power as they say. So yes, a Marketing degrees are worthwhile if you are going into a marketing related job.
Normal rules apply for standing out from other grads in securing these job roles post qualification. Good luck
Original post by Kinga88
Do you think that Marketing degrees are worthwhile?
I probably would not go for a straight Marketing degree, as that might be a little too narrow, but a "with" or "and" Marketing might be a good bet e.g. Business with Marketing, or something similar.
(edited 9 months ago)
Having looked at Marketing and other business related degrees it looks as though Advertising, Economics with Management, Management and Marketing, Accounting and Marketing, Economics and a Language, History and Economics, or Consumer Behaviour and Marketing are the best degrees. After looking at the profiles of marketing managers and directors many don't have a marketing degree, as Economics and Management degrees (Major: Minor) seem to be the most useful). Marketing degrees look like they are very restrictive and I have heard that they often they are taught by academics with minimal experience doing Marketing in industry, which can lead to them teaching out of date techniques. Would just sticking to doing CIM courses be more useful than a degree?
University of Art London (UAL: LCC) seems to be a great place for Advertising, as it is located close to several key advertising agencies, and the course reflects this. UAL (LCF) also do Fashion Marketing and that too has strong industry links. Many Marketing courses don't have a link to industry. Would love to hear from someone at UAL about these courses.
University of Art London (UAL: LCC) seems to be a great place for Advertising, as it is located close to several key advertising agencies, and the course reflects this. UAL (LCF) also do Fashion Marketing and that too has strong industry links. Many Marketing courses don't have a link to industry. Would love to hear from someone at UAL about these courses.
(edited 9 months ago)
Original post by LsDad
Well i employ two grads to support my sales section with marketing degrees and I can tell you they are absolutely brilliant at the job. They understand modern marketing methods and the work they do is amazing,
I don't doubt that yes with tool A you can do X and with tool Y you can now do Z but someone has to do that work and you cant beat someone who is fully clued up on the latest social media trends and knows what they are talking about. In a marketing setting they have grown as they understand our products and have used learnt techniques to support marketing our USPs in the most effective ways.
Knowledge is power as they say. So yes, a Marketing degrees are worthwhile if you are going into a marketing related job.
Normal rules apply for standing out from other grads in securing these job roles post qualification. Good luck
I don't doubt that yes with tool A you can do X and with tool Y you can now do Z but someone has to do that work and you cant beat someone who is fully clued up on the latest social media trends and knows what they are talking about. In a marketing setting they have grown as they understand our products and have used learnt techniques to support marketing our USPs in the most effective ways.
Knowledge is power as they say. So yes, a Marketing degrees are worthwhile if you are going into a marketing related job.
Normal rules apply for standing out from other grads in securing these job roles post qualification. Good luck
Excellent! Which university did they go to for their degree?
Having looked at several online job boards many marketing jobs are fixed term contract jobs, with very few being permanent. Even looking at those with Marketing jobs on LinkedIn seems to also confirm this. Very few of those in permanent and senior marketing roles have a marketing degree. Marketing jobs seem to be very short-term with many employers seemingly adopting a hire-and-fire attitude to marketing employees. Larger organisations seem to be more stable employers with some marketing jobs lasting up to 2.5 years.
Shockingly, many of the universities that I looked at to do a Marketing degree had few or no teaching or research staff with marketing experience in any organisation - public or private sector, and worse still no input from employers beyond one year placements (most of these seem to be down to the student to organise for themselves), so how can marketing degrees be relevant to the requirements of employers anywhere?
I have heard and read articles that Marketing is going to be increasingly statistical and impacted by A.I. technologies, such as ChatGPT and Bard, and that there is increasingly a shift towards Marketing Automation (Salesforce). So, is a Marketing degree, where I will graduate in 4 years time, a waste of time?
Shockingly, many of the universities that I looked at to do a Marketing degree had few or no teaching or research staff with marketing experience in any organisation - public or private sector, and worse still no input from employers beyond one year placements (most of these seem to be down to the student to organise for themselves), so how can marketing degrees be relevant to the requirements of employers anywhere?
I have heard and read articles that Marketing is going to be increasingly statistical and impacted by A.I. technologies, such as ChatGPT and Bard, and that there is increasingly a shift towards Marketing Automation (Salesforce). So, is a Marketing degree, where I will graduate in 4 years time, a waste of time?
(edited 9 months ago)
Hi Kinga,
I work in Marketing and have worked in marketing for several years. The team I work in are all on permanent contracts and where we are, most marketing roles are permanent rather than fixed term.
We are all required to have a degree or higher for our jobs, or a significant amount of experience.
I wouldn't say a degree in Marketing was a waste of time at all, but if you are unsure if University is for you, why not try and apply for some internships or entry level roles and see how you get on?
What I would say however, is a Marketing based degree would give you a good understanding of a broad area of topics, whereas once you are in a marketing role, unless you work for a small business, you tend to be more specialised.
Whatever you decide, it's not wrong, but I wouldn't worry about AI based tools taking Marketing roles away, quite the opposite, it will make people who understand how to fully use those tools even more desirable, as not everyone can/will want to.
Best of luck!
Jenny - a rep from Arts University Plymouth.
I work in Marketing and have worked in marketing for several years. The team I work in are all on permanent contracts and where we are, most marketing roles are permanent rather than fixed term.
We are all required to have a degree or higher for our jobs, or a significant amount of experience.
I wouldn't say a degree in Marketing was a waste of time at all, but if you are unsure if University is for you, why not try and apply for some internships or entry level roles and see how you get on?
What I would say however, is a Marketing based degree would give you a good understanding of a broad area of topics, whereas once you are in a marketing role, unless you work for a small business, you tend to be more specialised.
Whatever you decide, it's not wrong, but I wouldn't worry about AI based tools taking Marketing roles away, quite the opposite, it will make people who understand how to fully use those tools even more desirable, as not everyone can/will want to.
Best of luck!
Jenny - a rep from Arts University Plymouth.
Original post by lalexm
I probably would not go for a straight Marketing degree, as that might be a little too narrow, but a "with" or "and" Marketing might be a good bet e.g. Business with Marketing, or something similar.
I think this will definitely be the best idea for me. I am being steered to study International Business and Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, as it allows me to develop wider business knowledge and marketing knowledge. I have been told by my careers advisor that Marketing degrees are seen as offering very limited career opportunities and most marketing degrees are at "weak" universities with poor employment prospects. Also, after looking at the backgrounds of Marketing tutors at Manchester and several other universities they all have a first degree in economics, maths or management, not marketing. I also looked at several of my target employers for marketing internships, and they all prefer Economics as a major or minor. Many potential employers that I have contacted for internships prefer to train people in-house about marketing.
(edited 8 months ago)
Original post by Kinga88
I think this will definitely be the best idea for me. I am being steered to study International Business and Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, as it allows me to develop wider business knowledge and marketing knowledge. I have been told by my careers advisor that Marketing degrees are seen as offering very limited career opportunities and most marketing degrees are at "weak" universities with poor employment prospects. Also, after looking at the backgrounds of Marketing tutors at Manchester and several other universities they all have a first degree in economics, maths or management, not marketing. I also looked at several of my target employers for marketing internships, and they all prefer Economics as a major or minor.
You are spot on with the advice school has given and your own research. Nothing more to add really other than your findings are 100% accurate. The degree in International Business at Manchester is a fab degree with way more prospects than just Marketing. The Management degree at Bath and Warwick is also fantastic with terrific graduate outcomes. They are much more broader and you will develop an array of skills that will make you very employable, research skills, data analysis skills, accounting skills, some coding etc. With the aforementioned degrees many graduates go into IB, Consulting, Business analysis, Project management, Supply chain management as well as Marketing, Sales, HR etc I would say definitely go for one of those.
Original post by Kinga88
With the ever increasing usage of marketing automation SaaS (Marketo, HubSpot, Salesforce, etc), the increasing prevalence of AI (Bard and ChatGPT), combined with the need for employees to be able to understand statistics and microeconomic concepts(game Theory) and write interesting and engaging articles (blogs, etc) are Marketing degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate) now irrelevant?
They seem to be a money making scheme for universities, even RG.
Which would you choose for Fashion Marketing Manchester University or London College of Fashion?
They seem to be a money making scheme for universities, even RG.
Which would you choose for Fashion Marketing Manchester University or London College of Fashion?
I graduated from my marketing degree back in 2020 and I'd be inclined to say it's very much still a degree that is worth your time if that's the field you want to go into.
Whilst there are a lot of technologies in the market and continuing to enter, a lot of it comes down to the knowledge of not only how to utilise and implement these tools, but also how to do it effectively. Take the example of someone using ChatGPT to help formulate a marketing media plan (it's definitely something I hope people don't do in practice) for the next 12 months, and let's for arguments sake say that person is new to industry (around 18-20 years old). How does that person know that the plan that has been formulated properly and takes into account all the external factors that need to be considered when coming up with a media plan and that they've taken the right steps and used the correct prompts. It's not the best example but hopefully it demonstrates my point.
I think especially for younger professionals, myself included, it's still really important that you have an understanding of what you're doing and why, as opposed to using SaaS or AI just to tell you what to do. A lot of that underpinning knowledge is what a degree is going to provide you with.
Naturally there are going to be things you wont learn on your course and you'll develop on your own and then once you land a job but your degree is mainly to provide you with a string bed of knowledge to draw on when yo look at implementing new technology and software into your work.
Tom - Marketing & Content Assistant - Teesside University
(edited 8 months ago)
Original post by Kinga88
Do you think that Marketing degrees are worthwhile?
The best ones are targeted such as London College of Fashion's degree in Fashion Marketing. They have extremely good links to the sector. Others just seem to be nebulous and often teach out-of-date marketing methods, as the academics have no real industry experience. Some course such as Real Estate cover Marketing, but are not Marketing degrees per se. Marketing is a sub-set of Economics.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Marketing Degree or Apprenticeship?
- Do you think its fair to do a degree apprenticeship if you have a degree already?
- Is Computer Science the next 'useless' degree?
- How to excel with Biomedical Engineering degree?
- Should I change my degree?
- Stressed incoming UCL Student
- What can I pursue with my desired A-Level choices?
- True or false - non-STEM degrees are a waste of time?
- Career advice at school - Is it useful?
- University Options for Math/Statistics and Philosophy Joint Degree
- Business Management as a degree? GOOD OR BAD?
- How do I secure my degree?
- Good Grades And Experience Are Worthless (Nature Jobs, Science, Humanities)
- Got a full ride scholarship in a field I'm passionate about. But do I leave an object
- Mental Health Nursing or Psychology?
- Uni is a scam
- PSA: Most Degrees are worthless!
- Is Durham as prestigious as the London ones!”
- Scared to do Philosophy BA
- Are there any marketing degrees which are not along side a management degree
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
Official Business Management Applicant Thread 2024 EntryLast reply 2 months ago
Which is the better university for Bsc ( International Business )Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
Official Business Management Applicant Thread 2024 EntryLast reply 2 months ago
Which is the better university for Bsc ( International Business )
