Marketing is everywhere: How can you channel it into a major & a career?

By Logan A. White
Times-News correspondent 

Editor’s note: This is a continuation of a series called Majors Unmasked by Teens & 20s writer Logan A. White.
April’s featured major is marketing — the study of how to entice a target audience to purchase, utilize, or even reject a certain object.
We know marketing plays a critical role in our lives, but how exactly can it be used? From papers to podcasting to politics, marketing is everywhere. Let’s look into some of the most intriguing jobs this major can lead to:
1. Digital media coordinator — The Internet is the most prevalent platform of today, influencing every facet of our lifestyles. For a business to be successful, it must have a digital presence. From managing social media accounts to creating fresh content, digital media coordinators are always utilizing new technologies and media platforms to reach a larger audience, according to study.com. If keeping up with trends is a favorite pastime, this could be the career for you.
2. Search engine specialist — If you had a website or blog, but it never showed up when someone Googled it, how effective would that site be? That’s where search engine optimization comes in. These specialists work behind the scenes, creating the code behind ads and adding search engine ‘keywords’ to boost a company’s digital visibility. While this field requires common programming knowledge, strong analytical skills are also a must, according to workable.com.
3. Event planner — At first glance, this may sound like a mundane job, but it holds a treasure chest of possibilities. Planners orchestrate each detail of an event, overseeing the scheduling, refreshments, and entertainment, according to bestcolleges.com. This career offers opportunity for entrepreneurship: you could choose to plan whatever catches your interest. From weddings to superhero birthday parties to film premieres, this job can take you anywhere.
If you think marketing might be the career for you, take the time to explore your options. This major can let you explore the world or work from the comforts of your couch. College can be complicated, but unmasking your major doesn’t have to be.

Logan A. White is a Teens & 20s writer and a home-schooled high school graduate. She currently trains in Cary Ballet Conservatory’s professional program.