5 answers
Arsh
Student
Elmhurst, NY
7
Questions
Asked
1093 views
Tips for marketing career?!
Hello, I am starting college August (current senior in HS) and I am interested in marketing as a career. I just wanted any tips on how to explore and improve my marketing skills. Is there any thing I need to know before joining this career? Is there any websites or software that I should know how to use? How to gain experience in marketing (not including a job)?
Thank you in advance!
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4 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
977
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Arsh!
You're asking all the right questions, and it's fantastic that you're considering a career in marketing before you've even enrolled in college. Your career is going to benefit from that kind of commitment.
Researching the different aspects of marketing is one of the first things you can do because it's a big field. Digital marketing, brand management, content marketing, market research, advertising, and product marketing are a few of the important subfields. As you go through college, you'll probably be pulled to one or two fields that best fit your skills and interests.
It's also a good idea to begin becoming familiar with the platforms and tools that are commonly used in the field. Canva for visual design, Google Analytics for website tracking, Google Ads for sponsored advertising, and Mailchimp for email marketing are a few of the most important ones. While Trello or Asana are excellent for project collaboration, platforms such as HubSpot provide capabilities for managing content and client relationships. See resources like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and Meta Blueprint for free certifications and training courses that are easy for beginners to complete and look good on a resume.
You can begin getting practical experience without a job. You can practice actual marketing techniques by starting a personal project that focuses on something you're passionate about, such as a blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram account. You can gain real-world experience by volunteering with small local businesses, school groups, or community organizations. You can help with flyer design, event promotion, or social media management. Another excellent way to gain experience is through virtual internships and "micro-internships" offered by websites like Forage and Parker Dewey.
As you proceed, begin compiling all of your work, even if it is only class projects or imagined campaigns, into a portfolio.
Follow industry blogs and experts like Neil Patel, Seth Godin, and MarketingProfs to keep informed and stay on top of trends. Another excellent resource for networking and learning from experts in the field is LinkedIn.
Lastly, keep in mind that the secret to marketing success is having a strong mindset. Marketers are constantly learning about people and their motivations, so keep your curiosity alive. Be flexible and willing to try out fresh ideas. Recognize how important it is to be data-driven in order to assess the effectiveness of your actions. Above all, focus on developing your communication skills, both in writing and face-to-face.
By asking these intelligent questions, you're already thinking like a marketer, and that's a great start.
Best wishes!
You're asking all the right questions, and it's fantastic that you're considering a career in marketing before you've even enrolled in college. Your career is going to benefit from that kind of commitment.
Researching the different aspects of marketing is one of the first things you can do because it's a big field. Digital marketing, brand management, content marketing, market research, advertising, and product marketing are a few of the important subfields. As you go through college, you'll probably be pulled to one or two fields that best fit your skills and interests.
It's also a good idea to begin becoming familiar with the platforms and tools that are commonly used in the field. Canva for visual design, Google Analytics for website tracking, Google Ads for sponsored advertising, and Mailchimp for email marketing are a few of the most important ones. While Trello or Asana are excellent for project collaboration, platforms such as HubSpot provide capabilities for managing content and client relationships. See resources like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and Meta Blueprint for free certifications and training courses that are easy for beginners to complete and look good on a resume.
You can begin getting practical experience without a job. You can practice actual marketing techniques by starting a personal project that focuses on something you're passionate about, such as a blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram account. You can gain real-world experience by volunteering with small local businesses, school groups, or community organizations. You can help with flyer design, event promotion, or social media management. Another excellent way to gain experience is through virtual internships and "micro-internships" offered by websites like Forage and Parker Dewey.
As you proceed, begin compiling all of your work, even if it is only class projects or imagined campaigns, into a portfolio.
Follow industry blogs and experts like Neil Patel, Seth Godin, and MarketingProfs to keep informed and stay on top of trends. Another excellent resource for networking and learning from experts in the field is LinkedIn.
Lastly, keep in mind that the secret to marketing success is having a strong mindset. Marketers are constantly learning about people and their motivations, so keep your curiosity alive. Be flexible and willing to try out fresh ideas. Recognize how important it is to be data-driven in order to assess the effectiveness of your actions. Above all, focus on developing your communication skills, both in writing and face-to-face.
By asking these intelligent questions, you're already thinking like a marketer, and that's a great start.
Best wishes!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice and will be using it in the future!
Arsh
You're welcome!
Chinyere Okafor
Brandyn Knight
Operations Supervisor, Owner - Life & Career Coach
18
Answers
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Brandyn’s Answer
Hey there! It’s awesome that you’re already thinking ahead about your marketing career—great mindset!
Marketing is a dynamic and creative field that’s always evolving, so exploring and practicing early is a smart move. Here are some tips to help you get started and grow your skills—even before landing a job:
1. Learn the Foundations
Start with the basics of marketing principles—branding, consumer behavior, social media, SEO, content strategy, and email marketing. You can find great free courses on platforms like:
Google Digital Garage (especially their Fundamentals of Digital Marketing)
HubSpot Academy
Coursera and edX (many courses are free if you audit them)
2. Practice with Real Tools
Familiarize yourself with tools marketers use every day:
Canva – for graphic design
Mailchimp – for email marketing
Google Analytics – for measuring website traffic
Hootsuite or Buffer – for scheduling social media content
Trello or Notion – for organizing marketing campaigns and ideas
3. Build Your Personal Brand
Use your social media or a simple blog to test marketing strategies. Try promoting a personal project, passion, or local cause—practice makes progress.
4. Volunteer or Freelance
Offer to help a local business, nonprofit, or school club with their social media, flyers, or website. This builds real experience and shows initiative.
5. Stay Curious and Current
Marketing trends shift quickly. Follow experts on LinkedIn, read blogs like Neil Patel, HubSpot, or MarketingProfs, and keep testing new tools and platforms.
Start a mini passion project and try marketing it from scratch.
Join marketing-related student groups or clubs in college.
Create a portfolio to showcase anything you design or promote.
Set up a LinkedIn profile and connect with marketers in your area.
Sign up for newsletters from platforms like Marketing Brew or Think with Google to stay in the loop.
Marketing is a dynamic and creative field that’s always evolving, so exploring and practicing early is a smart move. Here are some tips to help you get started and grow your skills—even before landing a job:
1. Learn the Foundations
Start with the basics of marketing principles—branding, consumer behavior, social media, SEO, content strategy, and email marketing. You can find great free courses on platforms like:
Google Digital Garage (especially their Fundamentals of Digital Marketing)
HubSpot Academy
Coursera and edX (many courses are free if you audit them)
2. Practice with Real Tools
Familiarize yourself with tools marketers use every day:
Canva – for graphic design
Mailchimp – for email marketing
Google Analytics – for measuring website traffic
Hootsuite or Buffer – for scheduling social media content
Trello or Notion – for organizing marketing campaigns and ideas
3. Build Your Personal Brand
Use your social media or a simple blog to test marketing strategies. Try promoting a personal project, passion, or local cause—practice makes progress.
4. Volunteer or Freelance
Offer to help a local business, nonprofit, or school club with their social media, flyers, or website. This builds real experience and shows initiative.
5. Stay Curious and Current
Marketing trends shift quickly. Follow experts on LinkedIn, read blogs like Neil Patel, HubSpot, or MarketingProfs, and keep testing new tools and platforms.
Brandyn recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much! I will definitely be using this advice in the future!
Arsh
Charlie Jennings
Director of sales
23
Answers
Lexington, Kentucky
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
Arsh,
You didn't specify if your interest in marketing is on the creative side or the sales side of the industry. Quite honestly they are both involved in creating marketing strategies for their clients. The sales side will require additional training in selling and customer service. I highly recommend that you learn about the strengths and weaknesses of all media including digital, TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail, billboards, etc... All have a place in the sphere of marketing. I've found that marketers who only work in one type of media naturally only recommend using that media to their clients. Radio, TV and newspaper and other types of media people tend to sell the package of the week for the particular form of advertising that they sell. I managed radio and print before I transitioned into an advertising agency. Since an ad agency doesn't sell specific types of media they will recommend a marketing strategy that's best for their client based upon the available budget. When it comes to clients, one size does not fit all, the products they offer and their ad budgets greatly differ. Do a Google search or use AI to research each media to learn their strengths and weaknesses. so you will be in a better position to make effective recommendations to your clients. Do not assume that traditional media such as radio is no longer effective, not true. Nielsen research can expose stations that perform best in a given market CPM (look it up) calculations provide a basis for negotiating ad costs if you are a media buyer for example. I suggest pursuing an intern job at an ad agency as you study the world of marketing and yes it's a big world that is always changing. But it's fun!
Good Luck!
Charlie
You didn't specify if your interest in marketing is on the creative side or the sales side of the industry. Quite honestly they are both involved in creating marketing strategies for their clients. The sales side will require additional training in selling and customer service. I highly recommend that you learn about the strengths and weaknesses of all media including digital, TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail, billboards, etc... All have a place in the sphere of marketing. I've found that marketers who only work in one type of media naturally only recommend using that media to their clients. Radio, TV and newspaper and other types of media people tend to sell the package of the week for the particular form of advertising that they sell. I managed radio and print before I transitioned into an advertising agency. Since an ad agency doesn't sell specific types of media they will recommend a marketing strategy that's best for their client based upon the available budget. When it comes to clients, one size does not fit all, the products they offer and their ad budgets greatly differ. Do a Google search or use AI to research each media to learn their strengths and weaknesses. so you will be in a better position to make effective recommendations to your clients. Do not assume that traditional media such as radio is no longer effective, not true. Nielsen research can expose stations that perform best in a given market CPM (look it up) calculations provide a basis for negotiating ad costs if you are a media buyer for example. I suggest pursuing an intern job at an ad agency as you study the world of marketing and yes it's a big world that is always changing. But it's fun!
Good Luck!
Charlie
Emin ATIŞ
After Sales Operations Specialist
1
Answer
Istanbul, Turkey
Updated
Emin’s Answer
Marketing today goes far beyond traditional advertising—it's a combination of data analysis, customer experience design, digital tool management, and even handling crises. If you start mastering tools like SQL, Google Analytics, and HubSpot early, you'll gain a serious competitive advantage. Modern marketers must blend creativity with technical skills. It’s no longer just about how well you communicate; being comfortable with data is just as critical.
Why focus on these tools?
HubSpot teaches you the fundamentals of CRM systems and email marketing. It helps you understand how to nurture customer relationships and build automation workflows.
Google Analytics allows you to track and assess the performance of digital campaigns. Remember: what you can't measure, you can't improve.
SQL empowers you to independently extract and explore data—an invaluable ability for roles like growth marketing.
Canva and Notion support content creation, project management, and organization, which are key skills every marketer needs.
Here’s the best part: you don't need a job to start building experience.
Launch a personal project—maybe a passion-driven Instagram page. Think of it as your personal testing ground.
Get active on LinkedIn: join marketing groups, post your thoughts, ask questions.
Enroll in free online courses—consider HubSpot Academy, Google Digital Garage, or Coursera.
Find real-world practice: offer local businesses help with their social media or content strategies. Every bit of hands-on experience boosts your confidence, and confidence leads to opportunity.
Bottom line: marketing is about both strategy and action. The earlier you start practicing, the stronger your skills will be. The most successful marketers today are the ones who can think creatively and analyze data effectively.
Why focus on these tools?
HubSpot teaches you the fundamentals of CRM systems and email marketing. It helps you understand how to nurture customer relationships and build automation workflows.
Google Analytics allows you to track and assess the performance of digital campaigns. Remember: what you can't measure, you can't improve.
SQL empowers you to independently extract and explore data—an invaluable ability for roles like growth marketing.
Canva and Notion support content creation, project management, and organization, which are key skills every marketer needs.
Here’s the best part: you don't need a job to start building experience.
Launch a personal project—maybe a passion-driven Instagram page. Think of it as your personal testing ground.
Get active on LinkedIn: join marketing groups, post your thoughts, ask questions.
Enroll in free online courses—consider HubSpot Academy, Google Digital Garage, or Coursera.
Find real-world practice: offer local businesses help with their social media or content strategies. Every bit of hands-on experience boosts your confidence, and confidence leads to opportunity.
Bottom line: marketing is about both strategy and action. The earlier you start practicing, the stronger your skills will be. The most successful marketers today are the ones who can think creatively and analyze data effectively.