Advertising and Marketing?

Question

I should be classified as a sophomore in college by the end of this coming fall term, and I've been going back and forth between what to choose as a major. Right now I'm leaning towards a marketing degree, because I'm interested in advertising / promoting a certain product, person, or company as whole. The problem is that I didn't wanna go for an advertising degree because I dont consider myself as being artistic and creative. However, on the other hand, being totally business related doesn't interest me at all. What should I do?

Answer 1

You don't have to be artisitic to be a marketer. The most effective marketer is the one who understands the customer's needs and markets to them based on that.  Artistic people tend to tell a customer what they should like and is most often a failed way of marketing.

Answer 2

You should probably take this tour:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCFdRiMiK8g

Answer 3

For true success in marketing you will need an MBA, if you get the MBA your BA major doesn't matter.  

Of the two, the marketing major is the better because an advertising major is worthless.  Augment the major with other classes that give you a unique package of skills.  Take art or video classes (for fun, take them P/NP if you can.)  Sociology, Rhetoric, Psych, anything about how humans learn and communicate, .. get a good well-rounded university education.

Answer 4

sounds like you dont know what marketing is. I would check it out and get a little more information as to what exactly the job you would end up looking for is.

sounds to me like your thinking its a graphic artist. this is not the case.

Answer 5

There is a huge array of different types of careers in the marketing field.  My husband works for an advertising firm that does advertising for build-a-bear workshops doing internet media buying.  His job involves planning, researching, and buying internet advertising spots.  He reseraches what web sites would be best and what search words to use on yahoo! and google and prepares yearly & quarterly plans for internet media.  There are also media careers in television and radio and some that encompass all areas of media.  I know there are also many other jobs that do not require creative talent such as PR or account management.  You should look for advertising firms near where you would like to live and see what kinds of career opportunities they offer.  From what I've seen, advertising companies are some of the most fun places to work around.

Answer 6

As someone who recently had to choose a major, I feel your pain. I just finished my sophomore year and finally chose a major, and I hope I made the right one.

I have heard that the first position businesses cut when they need to make cuts are advertisers, I've heard it's the most expendable. I don't know if this helps but good luck in your decision.