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What kind of jobs can I get if I don't have a good enough gpa, which is a 2.5 GPA, and at least get to 75k entry level

I'm a 9th grader, and I love playing soccer, and I love the marketing world, and I just want to know if I can find a job in marketing because I know right now it's challenging with my 2.5 gpa and i havent taken any marketing classes (im doing that my 10th or 11th grade), and I just want ot make a lot of money, and I hate math and science, but I don't think that would get in the way. Thank you, and also one more question: I've been thinking of going into finance if I don't like marketing, so I just want to know more about finance with my interests, and I know a lot of places have different salaries, and I just want to know the median, or even better, in Minnesota

business finance high-school sports marketing highschool soccer highschoolstudent sports-marketing competitive-soccer 9th-grade marketing-career soccer-players finance-careers
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Curt’s Answer

Yes, you can find a great career in marketing, and you do not need to stress about your 9th-grade GPA or lack of classes right now. Because you love soccer, you can target sports marketing, which focuses on promoting teams, brands, and athletic gear rather than using heavy math or science. Your high school GPA will not dictate your career success, as employers in creative fields look at your real-world experience, personal drive, and portfolio rather than high school transcripts.

You do not have to wait until college either — to start building a lucrative marketing career. You can start by building your own portfolio:
- Start a social media account, blog, or YouTube channel dedicated to analyzing soccer tactics, reviewing soccer cleats, or tracking team transfers. Growing a real audience proves to future employers that you know how to market a product.
- Shadow Your Local Clubs: Reach out to local semi-professional, youth academy, or high school sports programs. Volunteer to run their Instagram, film TikTok content, or help manage game-day promotions.
- Focus on Creative Marketing: Avoid analytical marketing roles (like data analytics) and focus on content creation, copywriting, brand management, social media management, and event promotions. These roles rely on communication, psychology, and creativity rather than math and science.
- Learn Free Skills Online: You can outpace your future high school classes by completing free certifications like the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate or HubSpot Academy courses.

As for Finance: If you decide to pivot, finance is also a high-paying field, but it requires a very different daily routine. A finance career typically requires allot of work with spreadsheets, data, algebra, and formulas. This does not appear to align well with your interests.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much and i just want to ask my dad says that marketing and half the stuff i wanted to do is going to be taken over by ai and back then i wanted me a non sugical orthopedic or a athletic physician so i dont know if im going to get a degree in marketing my question is that will amrketing be taken over by ai with the stuff i wanted to do? Bilal
Thank you comment icon AI will no doubt impact many marketing jobs. Creation of content and targeted promotion jobs will be replaced with AI, but that can be said for most jobs. Most jobs in the medical field will be replaced as well. That said, we are a long way away from people wanting robots and AI to handle things like Physical Therapy or Trainers. Any job where physical interaction is required or perferred is probably safe for quite some time. Curt Leeman
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Afsheen’s Answer

Having a 2.5 GPA in 9th grade doesn't define your future. You have plenty of time to grow, improve, and discover what you love.

I also faced challenges in school, so I understand. It's important to figure out why your grades are what they are. School is not just about subjects—it's about learning how to learn.

My GPA once dropped to around 2.0 in college. By changing how I studied and approached learning, I eventually graduated with a GPA over 3.0, made the Dean's List, and received several Student of the Year awards.

Whether you're interested in marketing, finance, or something else, remember that the world can be competitive. Look for ways to shine—not just with grades, but through leadership, communication, projects, volunteering, and curiosity.

You're in 9th grade, so don't worry about salaries yet. Focus on becoming someone who loves to learn, because that will help you succeed in any path you choose.
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Kristopher’s Answer

Hi, first off I think that it is remarkable that you are in 9th grade and already thinking about your college plans. Given your current GPA standings and grade level, you have more than enough time to increase your overall GPA. Salaries can vary depending on location, however from my knowledge and experience, I have noted that most entry level finance/accounting jobs offer a starting salary that is less than $75k. I would think it would be a similar case if you go the marketing route. With that being said, if you want to increase your chances of starting your corporate career out making at least $75k, I would recommend prioritizing increasing your GPA above a 3.0, then challenging yourself to reach at least a 3.5 GPA. This open up doors to scholarship opportunities that will help you pay for school. Secondly, I've noted most entry level jobs will consider college GPA amongst their candidates, so it's important to get in the habit of maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA in high school so that academic work ethic transfers over into college. Lastly, I think marketing and finance are both great career fields to help reach your financial goals. Your decision on which course you take will depend heavily on what you can see yourself enjoying the most long term.
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Chen’s Answer

Hi! Great question to ask and thank you for asking so early in your career.

A 2.5 GPA in 9th grade is not a big gator to your dream jobs. There are still major classes you could take that help bring that grade up. If you love marketing, highly encourged you to try to build marketing projects through social media, and talk to your college professors. Building profotlio early would really help you moving along the journey on marketing.

If you are interested in finance, you could try out some campus clubs and competitions, see if you enjoy the scenarioed expeience about finance. Finance investment bank offers higher pay as undergrads, but require higher GPA. Marketing askes for more profiles and expeiences, either is great way to start your career.

Good luck!
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Barb’s Answer

You absolutely can still go into marketing. Being in 9th grade means you are very early, so a 2.5 GPA right now and not having taken marketing classes yet do not mean you’re out of options. What matters most over the next few years is improving your grades where you can, taking marketing or business classes when they become available, and building useful skills like writing, communication, creativity, social media, and understanding what people like to buy. If you love soccer, that could even connect well to sports marketing later on.

Finance is another option, but it usually involves more math, spreadsheets, analysis, and comfort with numbers than marketing does. My advice would be: keep marketing as your main path for now, take at least one finance or business class later to test it, and focus on raising your GPA so you have more choices when it’s time for college, internships, or jobs. Best of luck! (SKOL, former Minnesotan here :) )
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much and i just want to ask my dad says that marketing and half the stuff i wanted to do is going to be taken over by ai and back then i wanted me a non sugical orthopedic or a athletic physician so i dont know if im going to get a degree in marketing my question is that will amrketing be taken over by ai with the stuff i wanted to do? Bilal
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Christopher’s Answer

Considering your experiences and interests, you might want to explore becoming an entrepreneur and being your own boss. Learning how to run a business and manage its finances can be a valuable skill for life. Plus, it could be very rewarding and satisfying.
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Kevin’s Answer

While your GPA is important for landing your first job after college, it's not the only factor. Jobs in marketing and sales often focus more on your personality and presentation skills than on your GPA. I suggest exploring job opportunities in marketing, sales, or similar fields.
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Deepa’s Answer

You have plenty of time in school to boost your GPA, so don't worry. Your skills are more important than grades. You can start with a small marketing job to build experience. As you learn more, you'll be ready for bigger marketing roles. Plus, since you love soccer, you can coach younger kids on the side.
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Sara’s Answer

Completely agree with the other responders here so far - as I hiring manager in marketing, I never look at high school GPAs, or even college GPAs for that matter. It's all about experience and the skillset someone brings to the team.

And to echo Curt's point, it's never too early to get started. Content creation and running social media for a local business are both great suggestions and tangible ways you can show potential future employers what you're capable of. And it's also a great opportunity to learn whether marketing is actually of interest to you.

I also saw your follow up question about AI taking the role of the marketer. While I believe strongly that the role of the human marketer is will always be critical (creativity, storytelling, understanding human nuances), there's no question that AI is changing the way we work. What's going to separate the next generation of marketers are those who are AI-fluent, and those who are not. To keep pace, try using AI in your everyday life. If start creating your own content or helping a local business, see how you can use AI within that work. Tell ChatGPT about the marketing project you're working on and ask it how it can support you. We're all learning together, but now is a good time to get ahead of the curve. :)

It's great that you're thinking about all of this while you're in 9th grade! There's plenty of time to explore a number of career paths to figure out what gets you most excited and energized.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Bilal
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Jamesha’s Answer

Hi Bilal,

Keep working hard to improve your GPA, because good grades can open important doors for your future. Many schools and programs look at academic performance, so every bit of effort you put in now can help you later. But remember this: your GPA is only one part of your story. If things do not go exactly the way you want, do not give up. A number does not define your future, your talent, or your potential.

The world is full of opportunities, and there is always another path to success. What matters most is that you keep moving forward, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself. Sometimes the right opportunity comes to people who stay patient, stay focused, and never stop trying.

Also, take time to discover what truly interests you. Your passion can lead you to a career where you feel excited, capable, and motivated. When you enjoy something, you naturally want to get better at it, and that can turn into a real strength.

For example, if you enjoy fixing broken things at home, that interest could grow into a career in automobile mechanics, civil construction or many other hands-on fields. The key is to notice what excites you and explore careers connected to it.

When you choose a path that matches your passion, you will be willing to give it your full effort, even on difficult days. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and keep pushing forward — your future has more possibilities than you may realize.
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Omar’s Answer

Hey Bilal! I hope you are doing well!!

Don’t stress too much about your GPA right now. You’re only in 9th grade, which means you have plenty of time to improve your grades and explore different subjects and career paths.

I love Curt’s idea to target sports marketing and using your passion to leverage your career. Many sports teams, brands, and organizations hire people to help with marketing, social media, sponsorships, etc.

I’m in finance currently and enjoy it a lot. While finance does involve numbers and spreadsheets, it’s very different than the math you see in school. Much of the work is focused on problem solving, analyzing data and assisting leadership make informed business decisions. If you attend college, you’ll likely take both marketing and finance classes, which can help you decide which path fits you best.

Keep improving your GPA, and stay positive/encouraged. You thinking about your future at this age puts you ahead of many other students. Wishing you the best of luck with everything!
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Nicole’s Answer

Hi! It is so exciting that you are already exploring your passions in the 9th grade. First, don’t stress too much about your 2.5 GPA right now—you have three more years to show an "upward trend" in your grades, which colleges and employers love to see. Since you love soccer and hate math and science, I'd definitely recommend looking into sports marketing. Sports marketers work with professional teams (like Minnesota United FC!), athletic brands, and leagues to manage social media, design fan experiences, and run campaigns. It is a highly creative field that lets you stay close to the sport you love, and it doesn't require a heavy math or science background.

If you are considering finance as a backup, keep in mind that traditional finance is heavily centered around math, spreadsheets, and budgets. If you truly dislike math, marketing is likely going to be a much more enjoyable and natural fit for you. To get a head start before your 10th-grade classes, try starting a soccer-focused social media page or video channel. Learning how to create content, design graphics, and grow an online community is real-world marketing experience that will look amazing on your future college applications and upcoming resume!
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Rachel’s Answer

Those are really great questions and it's great to see you thinking about your future. I agree with what the others shared, so I won't labour those points.

I do, however, want to share a piece of advice I received early on in my career and still find relevant. "In every job, you learn or you earn; ideally both." To add to this advice with my own experience, you will benefit greatly from focusing on learning AND considering what you can contribute; the recognition and reward will follow! With about 15 years of working experience under my belt, I would still say learning outweighs a job that only pays well.

In light of AI playing a larger role in our world, one of the most valuable skills you can develop starting today is building human relationships. Make sure you're spending time with friends and family in person, be empathetic and forgiving, develop self-awareness, communicate well, learn how to resolve conflicts and be kind to yourself. They translate into professional skills like problem-solving and stakeholder management, and will help you find more fulfilment in whatever career path you end up taking. These are core skills that you won't learn from a text book or lecture, but will likely take you further than others.

Good luck and stay curious!
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Stefanie’s Answer

As you start to think about what you want to do career wise, high school and college are the best times to try out everything. Don't like math or science? Maybe there is a summer class that is more geared towards your interests at a local community college, that would have practical application to what you enjoy doing. That way, you are able to get college credit and able to see what you like and don't like.
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Madison’s Answer

Hi! You can definitely study both Finance and Marketing since they're both in the business field. Some classes might even overlap, making it easier for you. This way, you can figure out which one you enjoy more and have a backup plan if you decide to change careers later. Getting an internship is a fantastic way to gain real work experience in these areas. It helps you learn more and work on real projects that could match the jobs you want after college. Plus, internships look great on your resume and give you something interesting to talk about when applying for jobs. They also show employers that you have practical experience, even if your GPA isn't the highest.
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Jiho’s Answer

I love that you are thinking into the future at such a young age! But you are in 9th grade! Do not let a 2.5 GPA define you when you have 3 more years to build it up!
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Aditya’s Answer

Thank you for asking this question! First and foremost, its awesome that you've considered future classes that you want to take, especially those that are aligned with your interest. As others have mentioned, you have a lot of time to improve your GPA, and as you do so, being able to balance extracurriculars and studies will be especially helpful for applying to colleges as well. As much as possible dive into what interests you - the money will follow if you're passionate about it!
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Ekua’s Answer

I agree with others that your GPA won't matter forever. However, when you're trying to get an internship with some companies, they might look at your GPA. So, aim to keep it at 3.0. Stay focused and do your best in school!
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Sheshgiri’s Answer

When I was in 10th grade, I felt the same way. I didn't enjoy marketing, so I picked finance in 11th grade. I think it's a good idea to focus on learning as much as you can right now. Read, watch, and soak up all the knowledge you can. By the time you're in 12th grade, you can start looking for part-time finance jobs. You'll have the skills to show companies and their hiring managers that you're ready for the job.
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Radhini’s Answer

Hi! You're asking a great question. First, don’t get discouraged by a low GPA; it's just one part of your profile and not the only thing employers look at. What's really important is showing that you have the right skills, both technical ones for the job you want and good people skills.

Try working on your own projects to show you can solve real business problems. You could create something using AI, for example. If you're interested in finance, that's a great choice too. You might want to look into getting certifications like CPA or CFA.

Whatever you choose to do, try to learn some technology and AI skills. This can help you stand out and give you an advantage.
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Dawn’s Answer

If you love sports, you can definitely work in sports marketing. Even with a 2.5 GPA, you can succeed if you have real experience to show.

Here are some sports marketing jobs you might like:

- Managing social media for a team (posting photos and videos)
- Assisting at games (organizing promotions, giveaways, or halftime contests)
- Working at events (like tournaments, camps, or community gatherings)
- Handling sponsorships (finding and maintaining sponsor relationships)
- Selling tickets (a fast way to earn more money)

About earning $75k early on:

Most starting marketing jobs in sports don’t pay $75k. The fastest way to reach that salary is often through sales, like ticket sales or sponsorship sales, because of the extra money you can make from commissions and bonuses.

What you can do right now (9th grade):

- Create a soccer page to share highlights, recaps, or player profiles.
- Help your school team or a local club with their social media or flyers.
- Track your results (like followers, views, and engagement) and save screenshots to show your work.

Let me know if you prefer creating content or doing sales, and I can suggest some specific job titles to aim for in Minnesota.
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Syed’s Answer

It's fantastic that you're thinking about your GPA in high school! Remember, you have plenty of time to improve it. Your high school GPA mainly matters for college, and your college GPA is important for your first job and further studies. If your GPA isn't as high as you'd like, focus on finding opportunities early on. These could be unpaid or with smaller businesses or freelance work. Often, getting a job is about who you know and then what you know. As you get involved and let your work shine, you'll naturally create opportunities for yourself. I've seen many people with lower GPAs land amazing roles, get into top schools, and become successful professionals like lawyers and doctors!
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Christian’s Answer

Hi Bilal, others have already shared some great advice, so I'll focus on two things you mentioned. You said you don't like math but are considering a career in finance. Remember, finance involves a lot of math, so they might not match perfectly. However, as you move from high school to college, try to keep an open mind. Many people find that they enjoy subjects in college that they didn't like in high school due to the different environment and teaching styles. Explore various topics and classes with this mindset. When you find something you're passionate about or decide on a major, give it your best effort and aim for a high GPA. Your college GPA in your major can influence the opportunities available to you. Also, try to network as much as possible, talk to professionals and teachers in your fields of interest, and attend job fairs to learn about different opportunities.
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Mahum’s Answer

Hi! I would say since you're in 9th grade, you have a lot of time to fix your GPA and get that number up. I noticed recruiters have some grace for the first year because it is a transition to high school or college, so a student is learning. My best piece of advice is not to look at this number and then stop trying just because it's lower than normal. You should try to get tutoring or watch videos outside of school and strive to get this number higher for your remaining years, that will show that you improved rather than stayed at the same level for all the years. I would also say to do outside work related experience whether that be unpaid volunteering, working at a start up etc. that will show you are driven and do things outside of school as well .
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Janelle’s Answer

You have plenty of time to improve your GPA before applying to colleges, and you'll be just fine. Keep concentrating on your studies to learn what you enjoy and what you don't. It seems like you're already doing this. Over the next few years, try different classes to see what excites and motivates you. Your interests may change, so be patient with your choices and keep focusing on yourself. You're doing an amazing job!
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Diana’s Answer

It's great to see you thinking about your career so early! Don't worry too much about your GPA; you have three more years of high school to improve it. If you're interested in marketing, there are lots of things you can do on social media right now. You could create accounts to share soccer tips, tricks, game highlights, and more. You might even work with your soccer team to set up a social media page, managing it and coming up with fun team activities or questions to post.

If finance interests you, consider double majoring in finance and marketing. That's what I did in college, and I really enjoyed it. As you take classes, you'll discover what you like about each subject.
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Thomas’s Answer

First of all, don't worry too much about your freshman year gpa. That only 1/4 of your time in high school, so you have plenty of time to improve it! Think of it this way, assuming you want to go to college, you still have 7 more years of school. So I would focus more on finding the best ways you learn and can apply that learning on tests and such. The topics will change, but how you learn will stay the same.

Your high school GPA helps you get into college, then your college GPA helps you get your first job. So you still have plenty of time. Marketing is super interesting and a great choice, but unfortunately sports don't pay as much, as lots of people want to work in sports. I also would not recommend finance if you don't like math. There will be a lot of math in that profession.
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Grace’s Answer

While GPA is one concrete factor, marketing also values a lot of intangibles. Skills like creativity, agility, strong communication, and the ability to understand trends and people are all important in the field. So even if your GPA is not where you want it to be right now, you can still build strengths that are highly relevant to a future career in marketing.
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Yuritza G’s Answer

Hi!!!! Well, one thing I would focus on is learning what you're good at and what you enjoy, rather than worrying too much about your GPA right now. You're only in 9th grade, and a lot can change over the next few years. Many successful people were average students but became successful because they were reliable, hardworking, and willing to keep learning, so do not worry about that right now. :)

Since you love soccer, pay attention to the business side of sports. Professional teams, sports brands, and event companies need people who can communicate well, build relationships, work with sponsors, and help create great experiences for fans. Those skills are often more important than being the best at math or science. Try talking to coaches, team managers, or local sports organizations to learn about the different jobs that exist behind the scenes.

As for making $75,000 right away, that's possible in some careers, but it usually comes after gaining skills and experience. Instead of asking, "What job pays the most?" ask, "What skills are companies willing to pay for?" If you become really good at something that businesses need, the money tends to follow. Right now, your biggest job is to stay curious, keep improving, and explore different career paths before deciding between marketing, finance, or something else.

Enjoy your journey and have fun!!!!!
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