6 answers
Emma
Student
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
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What careers can I look into as a digital marketing major?
I'm a college freshman, and the most common answer I get is "social media manager," but I'm looking for other options too. What are some other career opportunities, in either marketing or digital marketing? Are there any careers I can pursue that involve analyzing consumer data and activity?
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6 answers
Christopher Williams, CEBS, PMP
Senior Engagement Manager
69
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Emma,
Digital marketing is really taking off, so choosing it as a major is a great idea! David already shared some helpful advice, and I’d like to add a bit more. With a digital marketing major, there are lots of exciting career paths to explore. You could become a Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, SEO Specialist, Content Strategist, or Email Marketing Specialist. Other options include working in PPC marketing, e-commerce, content marketing, or brand management.
Here's a quick look at some roles:
- Digital Marketing Manager: Leads all digital marketing efforts.
- Social Media Manager: Plans and runs social media strategies and campaigns.
- SEO Specialist: Boosts website visibility in search engines using techniques like keyword optimization.
- Content Strategist: Creates content plans and manages content sharing.
- Email Marketing Specialist: Designs email campaigns and tracks their success.
- PPC Specialist: Handles pay-per-click ads, focusing on targeting and keywords.
- E-commerce Specialist: Enhances online shopping experiences.
- Content Marketer: Produces and shares engaging content like blogs and videos.
- Brand Manager: Develops and maintains consistent branding across all platforms.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture!
Digital marketing is really taking off, so choosing it as a major is a great idea! David already shared some helpful advice, and I’d like to add a bit more. With a digital marketing major, there are lots of exciting career paths to explore. You could become a Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, SEO Specialist, Content Strategist, or Email Marketing Specialist. Other options include working in PPC marketing, e-commerce, content marketing, or brand management.
Here's a quick look at some roles:
- Digital Marketing Manager: Leads all digital marketing efforts.
- Social Media Manager: Plans and runs social media strategies and campaigns.
- SEO Specialist: Boosts website visibility in search engines using techniques like keyword optimization.
- Content Strategist: Creates content plans and manages content sharing.
- Email Marketing Specialist: Designs email campaigns and tracks their success.
- PPC Specialist: Handles pay-per-click ads, focusing on targeting and keywords.
- E-commerce Specialist: Enhances online shopping experiences.
- Content Marketer: Produces and shares engaging content like blogs and videos.
- Brand Manager: Develops and maintains consistent branding across all platforms.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture!
Alex Vogt
Business Manager
3
Answers
Montclair, New Jersey
Updated
Alex’s Answer
This is a great degree that gives you a lot of options for operational roles at Media, Publishing or Advertising company with a digital presence (which is just about all of them in 2025). As far as entry-level positions, you might consider roles like Data Analyst, Sales Operations, or even Account Manager. From any of these roles you can understand how a Digital Media company operates and find out what kind of roles suit you best
samarth roy
1
Answer
Faridabad, Haryana, India
Updated
samarth’s Answer
As a digital marketing major, you have a wide range of exciting career paths to explore. Common roles include Digital Marketing Specialist, Social Media Manager, SEO/SEM Analyst, Content Marketer, and Email Marketing Manager. You could also work as a PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Specialist, helping businesses run paid online advertising campaigns. For those interested in data, roles like Marketing Analyst or Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Specialist may suit you well. If you enjoy strategy and leadership, you might aim for positions like Digital Marketing Manager or Director of Marketing. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce opens opportunities in product marketing and affiliate marketing. You can work in-house, at an agency, or even freelance. With strong skills in analytics, creativity, and communication, digital marketing offers flexibility and high growth potential. Internships, certifications (like Google Ads or HubSpot), and hands-on experience will strengthen your resume and improve your chances in this competitive field.
David Ludwick
CEO
69
Answers
Huntington Beach, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Emma,
That’s a great question—and it's smart of you to think beyond the typical “social media manager” role. Digital marketing is a broad field, and your interest in analyzing consumer data and behavior opens the door to many exciting, in-demand careers. As a digital marketing major interested in analyzing consumer data and behavior, you have a variety of career paths beyond social media manager that align with your curiosity.
1. Marketing Analyst / Consumer Insights Analyst
What you'll do: Interpret data from campaigns, surveys, and user behavior to understand what customers want and how they behave.
Skills needed: Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, data visualization (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), statistics.
Why it fits you: You’ll dive deep into consumer behavior patterns and help companies make data-driven decisions.
2. Digital Marketing Strategist
What you'll do: Develop and oversee comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across channels (SEO, PPC, email, social).
Skills needed: Marketing strategy, analytics tools, paid ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads), A/B testing.
Bonus: You'll use data insights to shape full-funnel marketing strategies.
3. SEO/SEM Specialist
What you'll do: Optimize website content and paid ads to improve visibility in search engines.
Skills needed: Google Search Console, SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush), keyword research, copywriting basics.
Why it’s data-focused: You’ll analyze search trends, click-through rates, and conversion data constantly.
4. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Specialist
What you'll do: Improve website and ad performance through testing and user experience analysis.
Skills needed: A/B testing, user behavior tools (Hotjar, Crazy Egg), web design basics, UX principles.
Appeal: You mix data and creativity to drive measurable growth.
5. Marketing Automation Specialist
What you'll do: Design automated email campaigns and customer journeys using platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce.
Skills needed: CRM systems, email marketing, customer segmentation, analytics.
Why it's analytical: You measure engagement and refine touch points based on behavior.
6. Growth Marketer / Performance Marketer
What you'll do: Focus on acquiring and retaining users using data-driven methods (ads, email, content, landing pages).
Skills needed: Funnels, metrics like CAC/LTV, cohort analysis, paid media.
Fast-paced: Often found in startups where testing and iteration are constant.
7. UX Researcher (with marketing focus)
What you'll do: Conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing to guide product or marketing strategies.
Skills needed: Survey tools, data analysis, behavioral psychology, storytelling.
Interesting angle: You focus on why users act the way they do.
8. Brand Strategist (with a research focus)
What you'll do: Shape how a brand is perceived by understanding market positioning and customer sentiment.
Skills needed: Market research, competitor analysis, consumer psychology, qualitative research.
Ideal if: You love both data and storytelling.
Roles like consumer insights analyst, digital marketing analyst, and CRM specialist are particularly strong fits for your interest in consumer data and behavior, offering a blend of creativity and analytics. Growth marketing and behavioral marketing are exciting for fast-paced, experimental work. If you lean toward technical skills, consider upskilling for a marketing-focused data scientist role long-term. Start exploring these through internships and certifications to build a clearer path by your junior year.
Courses: Take electives in statistics, consumer psychology, data visualization, or coding (Python/SQL). Consider a minor in data analytics if your program allows.
Experience: Seek internships or part-time roles in marketing or research (e.g., at your college’s marketing department or local businesses). Join marketing clubs or case competitions.
Tools: Get hands-on with Google Analytics, Tableau, or CRM platforms through free certifications (e.g., Google Analytics Academy).
Experience: Seek internships or part-time roles in marketing or research (e.g., at your college’s marketing department or local businesses). Join marketing clubs or case competitions.
That’s a great question—and it's smart of you to think beyond the typical “social media manager” role. Digital marketing is a broad field, and your interest in analyzing consumer data and behavior opens the door to many exciting, in-demand careers. As a digital marketing major interested in analyzing consumer data and behavior, you have a variety of career paths beyond social media manager that align with your curiosity.
1. Marketing Analyst / Consumer Insights Analyst
What you'll do: Interpret data from campaigns, surveys, and user behavior to understand what customers want and how they behave.
Skills needed: Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, data visualization (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), statistics.
Why it fits you: You’ll dive deep into consumer behavior patterns and help companies make data-driven decisions.
2. Digital Marketing Strategist
What you'll do: Develop and oversee comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across channels (SEO, PPC, email, social).
Skills needed: Marketing strategy, analytics tools, paid ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads), A/B testing.
Bonus: You'll use data insights to shape full-funnel marketing strategies.
3. SEO/SEM Specialist
What you'll do: Optimize website content and paid ads to improve visibility in search engines.
Skills needed: Google Search Console, SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush), keyword research, copywriting basics.
Why it’s data-focused: You’ll analyze search trends, click-through rates, and conversion data constantly.
4. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Specialist
What you'll do: Improve website and ad performance through testing and user experience analysis.
Skills needed: A/B testing, user behavior tools (Hotjar, Crazy Egg), web design basics, UX principles.
Appeal: You mix data and creativity to drive measurable growth.
5. Marketing Automation Specialist
What you'll do: Design automated email campaigns and customer journeys using platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce.
Skills needed: CRM systems, email marketing, customer segmentation, analytics.
Why it's analytical: You measure engagement and refine touch points based on behavior.
6. Growth Marketer / Performance Marketer
What you'll do: Focus on acquiring and retaining users using data-driven methods (ads, email, content, landing pages).
Skills needed: Funnels, metrics like CAC/LTV, cohort analysis, paid media.
Fast-paced: Often found in startups where testing and iteration are constant.
7. UX Researcher (with marketing focus)
What you'll do: Conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing to guide product or marketing strategies.
Skills needed: Survey tools, data analysis, behavioral psychology, storytelling.
Interesting angle: You focus on why users act the way they do.
8. Brand Strategist (with a research focus)
What you'll do: Shape how a brand is perceived by understanding market positioning and customer sentiment.
Skills needed: Market research, competitor analysis, consumer psychology, qualitative research.
Ideal if: You love both data and storytelling.
Roles like consumer insights analyst, digital marketing analyst, and CRM specialist are particularly strong fits for your interest in consumer data and behavior, offering a blend of creativity and analytics. Growth marketing and behavioral marketing are exciting for fast-paced, experimental work. If you lean toward technical skills, consider upskilling for a marketing-focused data scientist role long-term. Start exploring these through internships and certifications to build a clearer path by your junior year.
David recommends the following next steps:
Daniela Arévalo R.
CRM Marketing Manager
2
Answers
Hopewell Junction, New York
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Emma, I began my journey in digital marketing, focusing on SEO, SEM, and social media, and have now grown into a CRM Marketing Manager role. This is just one of the many exciting paths you can explore in marketing, where you can dive into data analysis, experiment with A/B testing, explore prediction analysis, and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research, along with strategic thinking. What excites me about digital marketing is its vastness and the endless opportunities it offers to shape a career that fits your skills and passions, whether that’s in data analysis, operations, strategic thinking, creativity, psychology, and many more as Magdalena mentioned on her post. I have a background in Journalism and a passion for writing, which I get to incorporate into my work from time to time!
Matt Bierman
Analytics
4
Answers
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hi Emma, digital marketing is a great skill set to have, and its ubiquitous across industries. Think more about SEO, Ecommerce, and try to learn how AI is reshaping the traditional SEO model.
If you have a specific passion for a product, industry, or market focus there and start working on your data analytics skills. I would recommend SQL and database management as a starting point. Understand the digital marketing platforms is great but working with the data will give you much more of an advantage and connecting those digital marketing platform to a company's internal tools and systems
If you have a specific passion for a product, industry, or market focus there and start working on your data analytics skills. I would recommend SQL and database management as a starting point. Understand the digital marketing platforms is great but working with the data will give you much more of an advantage and connecting those digital marketing platform to a company's internal tools and systems