6 answers
Jocelyn
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Is majoring in business and marketing a profitable and stable path that will benefit me in the future?
I’m currently in 12th grade and will be graduating high school next year. I’ve discovered that I’m really interested in marketing especially digital marketing and content creation but a lot of the adults around me are telling me to pick a “more serious” or “more stable” major. I enjoy working on social media, branding, and understanding what makes people connect with certain messages, and I could see myself building a career in that field. At the same time, I don’t want to make a choice that people think is unrealistic or won’t benefit me long-term.
For anyone who has gone into marketing, business, or even changed majors in college, I’d love some advice. Is marketing a stable and profitable major? What does the job outlook really look like? And how do you decide between following your interests and listening to what others think is best?
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6 answers
Theophilus Mensah
Discovery Intern @Deloitte |2x Founder | TMCF Scholar | Business + CIS @ GSU | Harvard ALP 25’
71
Answers
Grambling, Louisiana
Updated
Theophilus’s Answer
I think it’s good to listen to people, but remember this truth: at the end of the day, it’s your life and not theirs. No one else will wake up every morning to do the job you choose, so the most important question is, does this make you happy? Does it make you feel like you’re becoming more of yourself?
If you choose something like electrical engineering just because it “pays well,” but you hate every second of it, then you haven’t succeeded. You’ve only trapped yourself.
Marketing is a serious major. People only dismiss it because they don’t understand how powerful it is. Every single company on earth, from Apple to Nike to Delta to Spotify, needs marketers. Every industry needs storytellers, strategists, and people who understand human behavior.
Imagine going into product marketing at Apple or NVIDIA. Or brand strategy for the NBA. Or digital marketing for a music label, an airline, a tech startup, a nonprofit, or an AI company. These are real, well-paid careers.
And the world is shifting. Digital marketing, content strategy, branding, and community building are more valuable now than ever. Companies literally hire people full-time just to understand what makes people connect with certain messages and exactly the thing you said you enjoy.
Here’s something important I’ve learned as a business major myself:
There are so many business-related roles you can pursue with marketing including market research, social media strategy, brand management, product marketing, advertising, UX writing, PR, growth marketing, and more. Your major won’t limit you. It will actually open many doors.
But the key is this:
Be willing to explore. Don’t lock yourself into one idea. Try different roles, internships, clubs, side projects. Most students make the mistake of not experimenting enough. Marketing is a field where your creativity and curiosity will take you far, so stay flexible and open.
Follow your interest, build your skills, and trust that your passion + consistency will create stability not the major alone.
You’ve got this. Your passion is valid. And yes, marketing can absolutely be both profitable and stable, especially if you’re willing to grow with the field.
If you choose something like electrical engineering just because it “pays well,” but you hate every second of it, then you haven’t succeeded. You’ve only trapped yourself.
Marketing is a serious major. People only dismiss it because they don’t understand how powerful it is. Every single company on earth, from Apple to Nike to Delta to Spotify, needs marketers. Every industry needs storytellers, strategists, and people who understand human behavior.
Imagine going into product marketing at Apple or NVIDIA. Or brand strategy for the NBA. Or digital marketing for a music label, an airline, a tech startup, a nonprofit, or an AI company. These are real, well-paid careers.
And the world is shifting. Digital marketing, content strategy, branding, and community building are more valuable now than ever. Companies literally hire people full-time just to understand what makes people connect with certain messages and exactly the thing you said you enjoy.
Here’s something important I’ve learned as a business major myself:
There are so many business-related roles you can pursue with marketing including market research, social media strategy, brand management, product marketing, advertising, UX writing, PR, growth marketing, and more. Your major won’t limit you. It will actually open many doors.
But the key is this:
Be willing to explore. Don’t lock yourself into one idea. Try different roles, internships, clubs, side projects. Most students make the mistake of not experimenting enough. Marketing is a field where your creativity and curiosity will take you far, so stay flexible and open.
Follow your interest, build your skills, and trust that your passion + consistency will create stability not the major alone.
You’ve got this. Your passion is valid. And yes, marketing can absolutely be both profitable and stable, especially if you’re willing to grow with the field.
Marie Thornton
Head of Marketing
3
Answers
England, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Marie’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn!
Great question. It makes sense that those around you will have opinions, but ultimately, this is your life and your career. The more you like a topic, the more likely you are to be successful in it. I did a combined honours degree in Business and Psychology. I did the Business piece to help me with my career, and the Psychology piece because I found it interesting. In truth, it was the latter that's been most useful throughout my career, as it was all about people and what makes people tick. And I've now got over 25 years of marketing experience under my belt. As long as there are companies, there will be the need for marketing. The most powerful marketing is a combination of all the different marketing formats. The more varied your learning in a subject, the more value you can get from it in your chosen career.
Marketing is changing a lot with the introduction of AI, but it's more to do with the grunt work or first drafts that it's currently most helpful. It always still needs human review and finessing.
I've been made redundant twice in my career in marketing, but never been out of work for long. Marketing is often under-rated by those who haven't done it as a job, but in my experience, it takes a myriad of skills - most of which are cross-transferable - such as project management, event management, stakeholder management, content creation, presentation skills (verbal and visual), budget management, reporting, measurement, data analysis, etc.
For me, I also followed up my interests outside of work by doing a counselling qualification and by qualifying as a career coach.
I think the combination of business and marketing could be good for. Follow your gut and remember that no one path is fixed for life or irreversible. Good luck!
Ask the universities you're considering for this degree about the employment statistics of past graduates to see how the marketplace views that degree
Ask the universities you're considering for this degree to put you in touch with alumni to find out what they've done since graduating and their views
Great question. It makes sense that those around you will have opinions, but ultimately, this is your life and your career. The more you like a topic, the more likely you are to be successful in it. I did a combined honours degree in Business and Psychology. I did the Business piece to help me with my career, and the Psychology piece because I found it interesting. In truth, it was the latter that's been most useful throughout my career, as it was all about people and what makes people tick. And I've now got over 25 years of marketing experience under my belt. As long as there are companies, there will be the need for marketing. The most powerful marketing is a combination of all the different marketing formats. The more varied your learning in a subject, the more value you can get from it in your chosen career.
Marketing is changing a lot with the introduction of AI, but it's more to do with the grunt work or first drafts that it's currently most helpful. It always still needs human review and finessing.
I've been made redundant twice in my career in marketing, but never been out of work for long. Marketing is often under-rated by those who haven't done it as a job, but in my experience, it takes a myriad of skills - most of which are cross-transferable - such as project management, event management, stakeholder management, content creation, presentation skills (verbal and visual), budget management, reporting, measurement, data analysis, etc.
For me, I also followed up my interests outside of work by doing a counselling qualification and by qualifying as a career coach.
I think the combination of business and marketing could be good for. Follow your gut and remember that no one path is fixed for life or irreversible. Good luck!
Marie recommends the following next steps:
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn. As a lecturer in business courses, I often meet students who are excited about marketing but are unsure if it is a stable or serious choice. I want to reassure you that business and marketing are real academic paths that can lead to good jobs and long-term success if you plan carefully.
Marketing, especially digital marketing, is one of the fastest-growing areas in business. Companies of all sizes need help with social media, content creation, branding, and understanding their customers. These skills are in demand, and students who gain experience through internships or projects often find stable jobs after graduation. Many people even start freelancing or their own small businesses while studying, which gives them extra experience and income.
Marketing does reward people who work hard and stay curious. It is different from some majors that have clear career paths. To succeed in marketing, you need to practice, build a portfolio, and learn new skills as the field changes. If you enjoy social media, creating content, and studying why people connect with certain messages, you already have the right mindset for this field.
When it comes to choosing between your interests and what others think is safe, I always tell my students to listen to advice but not let it make the decision for them. Many adults think marketing is not serious because they do not understand how much it has changed. A degree in business with a focus on marketing is actually very flexible. You can work in branding, analytics, sales, consulting, digital content, product management, and more.
The most stable career is one that matches your strengths, motivates you to grow, and lets you adapt to changes in the world. Marketing can do all of this if you focus on learning real skills and getting experience. If it excites you now, that is a strong sign that you are on the right path.
Hope this helps. All the best.
Marketing, especially digital marketing, is one of the fastest-growing areas in business. Companies of all sizes need help with social media, content creation, branding, and understanding their customers. These skills are in demand, and students who gain experience through internships or projects often find stable jobs after graduation. Many people even start freelancing or their own small businesses while studying, which gives them extra experience and income.
Marketing does reward people who work hard and stay curious. It is different from some majors that have clear career paths. To succeed in marketing, you need to practice, build a portfolio, and learn new skills as the field changes. If you enjoy social media, creating content, and studying why people connect with certain messages, you already have the right mindset for this field.
When it comes to choosing between your interests and what others think is safe, I always tell my students to listen to advice but not let it make the decision for them. Many adults think marketing is not serious because they do not understand how much it has changed. A degree in business with a focus on marketing is actually very flexible. You can work in branding, analytics, sales, consulting, digital content, product management, and more.
The most stable career is one that matches your strengths, motivates you to grow, and lets you adapt to changes in the world. Marketing can do all of this if you focus on learning real skills and getting experience. If it excites you now, that is a strong sign that you are on the right path.
Hope this helps. All the best.
Greg Heenan
Managing Partner- Mobility solutions
3
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Business and marketing degrees open doors to many career paths. In college, you can explore different parts of business administration. As you choose your courses, consider focusing on areas like sales or digital marketing to gain deeper insights.
Take advantage of your college's business school to find internships. These offer real-world experience and help you discover what interests you most.
The key to a successful career is doing something you love. Since you'll be working for many years, finding a job you enjoy and are passionate about will make it more enjoyable.
Good luck!
Take advantage of your college's business school to find internships. These offer real-world experience and help you discover what interests you most.
The key to a successful career is doing something you love. Since you'll be working for many years, finding a job you enjoy and are passionate about will make it more enjoyable.
Good luck!
Shannon Bates
HR Manager
5
Answers
Harrison charter Township, Michigan
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn!
Marketing offers so many exciting opportunities. Many people don't realize all that's involved. It's not just about creating content; it's about capturing consumers' attention. What are they looking for that you can offer? Digital marketing is especially booming now, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook leading the way. These are the tools people use to achieve great success. How can you market a product so well that people want it, even if they didn't know they needed it? That takes a unique talent!
Marketing offers so many exciting opportunities. Many people don't realize all that's involved. It's not just about creating content; it's about capturing consumers' attention. What are they looking for that you can offer? Digital marketing is especially booming now, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook leading the way. These are the tools people use to achieve great success. How can you market a product so well that people want it, even if they didn't know they needed it? That takes a unique talent!
Anthony Kofi Hene-Amoah
Translation, Editing, Project Management, Research and Evangelism
203
Answers
Jema, Brong Ahafo Region
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Please, note the following, concerning business and marketing activities for the future:-
1. Availability of job/business opportunities. Even if nothing at all, through ENTREPRENEURSHIP, you can set up your own business, and can be financially stable.
2. Opportunities for you to know more about financing, management, accounting, communication skills, etc.
Best regards.
1. Availability of job/business opportunities. Even if nothing at all, through ENTREPRENEURSHIP, you can set up your own business, and can be financially stable.
2. Opportunities for you to know more about financing, management, accounting, communication skills, etc.
Best regards.