Indeed defines marketing channels as “tools that marketers use to build a connection between a manufacturer or company to a group of potential customers.” Channels fall into different categories, such as communications, distribution, or service (with many more types of channels under those, like value-added resale, network marketing, email marketing, and catalog direct channels). 

Channel managers focus on the people and processes within one specific channel. Thus, typical job duties vary greatly from channel to channel. For instance, someone working the digital advertisements channel will focus on all the aspects related to selling eCommerce products. In addition to a four-year degree, there are many professional certifications that can boost one’s credentials, such as Certified Sales Professional. It’s also worth noting that  ~13% of workers in this field earn a master’s degree to help boost their chances of getting hired. 

Ready to dive into the data about consumer psychology to find out why people buy what they do? If so, then welcome to the hectic world of demand generation! As the job title implies, demand generation managers drive sales by not only finding leads but generating interest to create new ones. Their ultimate goal is long-term engagement by building strong customer relationships (because “acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer,” as Outbound Engine states). 

There are numerous existing strategies at their disposal, but the job also requires creative vision to think of original customer acquisition methods (or new spins on old ones). As a result, there’s a need for lots of testing to find what works best. Demand generation managers usually need a bachelor’s, but it’s key to have ample real-world experience in many areas, including sales and marketing. 

A brand/product manager has loads of responsibility riding on their shoulders. They are “jacks of all trades” who work with an organization’s leadership to outline business objectives and determine cost-effective creative marketing strategies for products or services. Their main goal is to attract new customers by promoting the brand, its values, and mission. 

Brand/product managers rely on in-depth knowledge of their employer’s brand alongside expertise in spreading awareness via multiple platforms. In addition to a bachelor’s, they generally need sufficient work experience within their company before being promoted to a managerial role. There are several professional certifications made to boost one’s credentials to better qualify them for this career, such as Certified Product Marketing Manager. Coding experience may also be helpful.

Advertising and promotions managers combine various media (such as radio, TV, print, and social media) with financial incentives to grab people’s attention. Incentives might include anything from discount codes or coupons to free merch giveaways. Anything to generate a buzz and turn casual browsers into interested consumers!

Because this career pays so lucratively, expect plenty of competition. In addition to your four-year marketing degree, it’ll help to gain relevant work experience and develop your expertise in advertising and social media before landing a manager position. If you don’t have those, consider getting a part-time job to snag practical experience in sales and marketing…or beef up your credentials with ad hoc courses related to eCommerce advertising. 

Companies would have a hard time selling anything without their valuable sales managers. These are the people who help set goals, review data, forecast sales, and direct sales teams. Sales managers may also be tasked to hire and train new retail sales staff and wholesale/manufacturing sales reps, manage customer service issues, and plan ways to get new B2B and/or B2C customers. 

A bachelor’s plus plenty of sales experience is the best way to break into this field. Some students who majored in business, management, or finance may also get into sales manager roles, if they have a relevant sales or customer service background. 

One of the most popular marketing degree jobs is that of a marketing manager. Marketing managers may work in the managerial echelon that consists of “executives whose work must do largely with HR oversight and the direction of operative employees.” In other words, they are “primarily concerned with the execution and coordination of day-to-day workflow that ensures completion of projects and that deliverables are met.” 

In the case of marketing managers, this involves ensuring teams are conducting accurate research into consumer demand and developing feasible action plans aimed at driving sales. The educational point of entry for this job is a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or communications. To work your way up to positions of greater authority (and pay), consider doing an MBA in Marketing to learn more about finance, human resources, supply chain, and brand management.

And for our final and highest paying marketing degree career - director of digital marketing. It’s no surprise that e-commerce profitability has exploded in recent years and is predicted to account for 25% of all retail sales by 2025. College students who graduated in the early 2000’s didn’t even take digital marketing classes, but now in 2024 it’s a staple of any marketing curriculum.

Digital marketing has paved the way for that shift while simultaneously enhancing sales at brick and mortar establishments. In an online world of constant attention-seeking ads, directors of digital marketing strive to ensure their brands get noticed. 

From social media and email marketing to paid ad campaigns, content marketing, and SEO strategies, they handle anything to do with the digital domain. As a result — and in line with their positions as a director level — digital marketing directors ideally should hold a graduate degree plus significant work experience (or academic credentials) in digital marketing.