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What are some additional skill I could acquire before entering the workforce?

This is my senior year at my university working on my bachelors in marketing.

marketing
Thank you comment icon To stand out as a marketing graduate, focus on high-demand technical and analytical skills:Data Analytics: Master Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP), or SQL. Marketers must prove their campaigns drive revenue.Paid Media & Performance Marketing: Get certified in Google Ads and Meta Blueprint to manage real ad budgets.Marketing Automation: Learn platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, or Salesforce to manage email campaigns and customer journeys.SEO & Content Strategy: Master tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to understand search engine optimization and keywords.Basic Design & Video Editing: Learn Canva, Figma, or Adobe Premiere to quickly create or tweak visual content for social media campaigns. Clarence
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Jordan’s Answer

Hi Kayleigh,

Thanks for your question! Learning how to create, read, and analyze a campaign is really important. While anyone can make something, showing results and understanding metrics will make you stand out. You might want to explore Salesforce or Tableau certifications to get better at reporting and CRM systems. Even a little experience with CRMs can help you land your first job since most marketing roles use them.

To improve your presentation skills, joining a Toastmasters group is a great idea. It will help you with public speaking and communicating in professional settings.
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Cristina’s Answer

Hi Kayleigh

First of all, congratulations on reaching your senior year at Huntsville! Since you already have the marketing theory down, the best thing you can do right now is get comfortable with the technical backbone of modern business, specifically data analytics and CRM tools like Salesforce.

Companies today aren't just looking for creative ideas, they want people who can prove their campaigns work by looking at the numbers, so learning how to pull a report or interpret consumer data will set you miles ahead of other graduates. I’d also suggest sharpening your "soft skills" in project management or even basic AI prompt engineering, as being able to use new tools to speed up your workflow is becoming a huge requirement. The job market is shifting toward people who can bridge the gap between traditional marketing and tech, so if you can show a future employer that you’re tech-savvy and data-driven, you’ll be in a great spot.

Enjoy these last few months of university and get ready for an exciting ride :)
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Laura’s Answer

Before entering the workforce, focus on skills like Excel and data analysis, presentation and communication, project management, and using AI tools effectively. For marketing specifically, it also helps to build experience with analytics platforms, social media tools, CRM systems, and creating clear, audience-focused content.
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Aytek’s Answer

Congratulations on the upcoming big milestone in your life!

Two areas of additional skills you can consider:

1) Functional skills: The top three that come to mind are analytics and digital marketing, especially the latter. Digital marketing is changing so fast that it requires constant self-education. Coming out of school, it would help you a LOT to complete courses/certificates focused on the marketing tech stack and how different digital marketing tactics work.

2) Behavioral skills: A lot of marketing work is in the 'gray' area, unlike engineering, where things are more black or white, more binary. It's important to show you can work with others to ideate, plan, execute, and manage. You can pursue schoolwork that exposes you to more teamwork, including conflict management, consensus building, and motivating others.
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Jason’s Answer

Learning how to both market, and leverage AI tools has never been more important. Practice with Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini- and also practice messaging, positioning, data analysis- around actual AI products/features.
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Diana’s Answer

Hi Kayleigh! If you're majoring in marketing, definitely work on your communication and presentation skills. If you can carry yourself well in interviews, meetings, etc. it'll go a long way versus having no behavioral skills.
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Erin’s Answer

Echoing what others have said here. Having experience with CRM systems and being able to analyze data effectively will really set you apart. If you can translate data into a story worth telling, that is really valuable. Being able to distill large amounts of information and data into the key priorities and bullet points will serve you well if you're ever communicating with executive level colleagues.

Some other things to think about would be interviewing people from different types of companies. Not only different industries, but different sized companies as well. Understanding how marketing works at a startup vs. a giant corporation will really help you as you find the right fit for in the future. Additionally, marketing for a B2B SaaS platform vs. retail or something also have nuances. If possible, it's great to start exploring these.

It might be helpful to think about companies that interest you, and start finding marketing contacts on LinkedIn to follow. Start reading their posts and see what you learn.
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Elena’s Answer

Hi Kayleigh - In addition to the tools that other people suggested here, I would recommend working on "soft" skills too! Time management, attention to detail, critical thinking, and communication skills are just as important as learning marketing tools and programs.
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Nicole’s Answer

Hi! You should definitely explore how AI can be used in marketing. Many marketers see AI as a helpful tool that enhances their work rather than replacing them. The important part is learning how AI can make your job better, not just do it for you. Those who gain experience and come up with creative ideas in this area will really stand out.
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Lisa’s Answer

Hi Kayleigh! In addition to the marketing theory and the tech platforms you're learning in your degree program, it is good to remember that honing your soft skills can help you stay competitive in marketing. The tools and systems are powerful, but applying critical thinking and exercising your creativity will help you, and the brands you represent as a marketer, make a lasting impression. Cultivating the art of storytelling is a strong skill that translates into success in marketing because you inspire audiences to feel emotions, build a connection with a brand's values, and stand out out in an environment of overconsumption. Best wishes to you!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for uour question. There are some soft skills which are vital to all careers.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Communication both verbal & written
2. Emotional Intelligence
3. Time Management
4. Critical Thinking
5. Problem Solving
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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