Marketing professionals are in an ever-evolving industry where new research, technologies, tools and tactics are introduced seemingly overnight. Enrolling in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is a great way for marketing professionals to stay abreast of these changes, while also gaining broader knowledge of business and how to apply innovative marketing techniques. Further, specialized degree offerings like the online MBA with a Concentration in Marketing program from the University of Texas at Tyler provide working professionals with a convenient, flexible way to learn about marketing management and position themselves for more senior positions.
Collecting and Interpreting Results
Today, marketing relies on gathering as much information as possible, analyzing that information and using the results of those analyses to make informed, data-driven decisions. Data and information can be gathered from many sources, common examples being email, social media, website traffic, surveys and consumer reports.
Increasingly powerful predictive and prescriptive analytics tools rooted in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like machine learning, natural language processing and large language models help marketing professionals aggregate, analyze and derive insight from big data. Emerging applications of generative AI can even help marketers create targeted, personalized content based on deep analysis.
In essence, information helps marketers understand and connect with their customers. While innovative technologies drive modern analytics, marketers and customer experience professionals still rely on direct customer interaction and engagement as well. For instance, companies may survey customers about their usage habits to better understand how to produce and deliver products that meet their customers’ needs. Metrics can also be used to evaluate the success of different marketing campaigns, allowing marketers to leverage the best-performing tactics in future campaigns.
Moving Into Management
A combination of experience and an MBA can also help marketers advance into marketing management positions that carry additional responsibilities. Managers often lead teams of professionals and make decisions that have the potential to impact the company’s bottom line. An MBA prepares a marketing professional to better understand how to make decisions that improve business practices and enhance company performance, and how to apply management techniques to transform a strong team into an excellent one. An MBA can also benefit marketing professionals by opening up other career options such as research analysts, media planners, product managers or executive-level positions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some employers prefer that high-level marketing manager job candidates have a master’s degree. The substantial compensation marketing managers receive reflects their advanced education and experience. BLS reports that marketing managers made a median annual salary of $140,040 in 2022. In comparison, the median 2022 salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists was $68,230. Clearly, marketing leadership roles that come with education and experience can lead to a significant pay bump over entry- and mid-level positions.
Flexible Learning
For many working professionals, especially those with families and other personal obligations, it is not practical to leave work in order to pursue an advanced degree full time. Fortunately, schools like The University of Texas at Tyler offer competitive online MBA programs that can be completed on a flexible schedule, accommodating the lifestyle of a busy professional. These MBA programs focus on enhancing quantitative abilities by teaching data-driven aspects of management and marketing.
An MBA prepares professionals to take on various responsibilities — such as marketing management — by improving their credibility, quantitative abilities and general business knowledge. They learn to collect and apply data to make informed decisions, and how to lead successful teams. And for those interested in obtaining an advanced degree on a flexible basis, an online MBA program is a great option that can help secure a move up the corporate ladder.
Learn more about The University of Texas at Tyler online MBA with a Concentration in Marketing.