74 2024-2025 | Tennessee Career Guide It’s an exciting time for a career in commu- nications, thanks to today’s ever-evolving digital landscape and the emergence of new technology tools. With so many facets to the communications field, including mar- keting, advertising, public relations, research and data analytics, there are career oppor- tunities available for people with varied skillsets and personalities. Those gifted with creativity, imagination and strong commu- nication skills will thrive alongside others skilled in analytics and technology. In addi- tion to being one of the most in-demand professions, communications is also one of the most loved by those who choose to work in the industry. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the marketing aspect of the communications field. What Is Marketing? The American Marketing Association de- fines marketing as “… the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.” (ama.org) The entity being marketed can be a product, service, idea, campaign or even a simple message. A successful mar- keting effort convinces consumers to choose their product or message over competitors or other options, serving as a means of per- suasive communication. In essence, mar- keting is capturing the attention of an au- dience, and persuading the consumer to take specific action, whether that means buying a product, voting for a candidate or making a desired decision. What Are the Types of Marketing Careers? Marketing is a comprehensive term that encompasses many different areas of focus. Whether you work within a company’s marketing or communications department, or join a team of people working within a marketing, advertising or public relations Photography by Shutterstock® Profession Overview Work Sector: Integrated Communications Average Beginning Salary: $38,000-$43,000 Typical College Major: Business Administration, Graphic Design, Communications, Journalism Typical Employer: Advertising Agencies, Corporate Marketing or Communications Departments, Public Relations Agencies, Freelance Average Open Positions (TN): 500+ Information On This Career Provided By: MP&F Strategic Communications 611 Commerce Street, Suite 3000 Nashville, TN 37203 www.mpf.com Connecting consumers with what they want and need Marketing (Advertising and Public Relations)