Marketing course advise needed!

Question

Hi, 

I am very much interested in specializing in Marketing. However, I do not have much expertise or experience in the same. 

You see, I'm into IT(software) and so hardly have a chance to portray my interest in Marketing. There have been some instances where I was able to show my Marketing side (in interaction with clients), but these have been few. 

From what I learn, I need to prove to the admissions committee that I am suited for Marketing by showing some prior experience etc. 

All I have is a tremendous interest and a few instances of my Marketing potential. Will this be good enough to convince them? 

People tell me that I'd be better off opting for Finance or IT management as these are more in line with my work experience. However, I am very determined to pursue a career in Marketing(Marketing Research preferably). 


Could you please advice? 
Thanks, 
Sachin

lepium · Answer

Why not an MS in Marketing? 

L.

ishcabibble · Answer

First of all, it's great to see someone else interested in marketing here! I'm going to b-school to change careers to that also. Second, if it's market research you're interested in, as opposed to say brand management, your quant. skills will be very important. Market research is definitely much more quant. based than other marketing fields. 

Finally, find out all the information that you can about market research. Read up about the field, do informational interviews with those already in the field, etc... For career changers, especially those who have little experience in the new career, most adcoms want to see that you really understand what is involved in that field. Also, once you have more information on the field, you'll probably find that you've had more work experiences than you thought that would be relevant.

I hope this helps!

aurobindo · Answer

I think MBA also will do. I am in a Marketing research company. My VP is an MBA from Sloan. I have heard of another Sloan MBA candidate joining our company recently. As some body said, Quant skills are important compared to other marketing fields. But the skills can be learnt over the job also. Not very difficult. Sachin, have any question on MR? Shoot

I think your understanding of the field, rather than your background, is important. I am surprised that MR can be interesting to somebody :wink:

zakk · Answer

I'm in the same boat, coming from a PR/light marketing background.

What I am hoping an MBA will do for me is round out my skillset to move into brand managment and prepare me for a higher level of leadership. I have decided on this route over a MS in marketing. 

Is this a bad choice?

lepium · Answer

No it's not a bad choice. Once you are in the brand manager position, you are more of a general manager than a specialist. The MBA would help.

L.

aaudetat · Answer

There are refugees from IT all over around here. A number of them are switching into marketing. Provided they didn't "reinvent" for their essays, some of them must have talked about this transition. 

I don't know that you have to have tons of experience - a passion may be enough. Why does marketing trip your trigger? Weave a good story around that.

sachinzeus · Answer

Thank you all for all the advice. Really helped. I have some more questions

My choice for going into Marketing Research(MR) is a part of my greater plan. I understand that MR involves finding out in which markets a product can be launched by researching on customers, and market trends. I will be basically answering questions such as, What do the customers want? How much are they willing to pay for it? If we enter into this segment can our company compete with the other established companies? etc. Also, from what I understand, MR is somewhat like strategic planning. I would also like to get some sales experience. I feel that my interaction with potential customers while doing MR would be helpful. Moving on in life, I would like to move into a more leadership oriented role. Something like Brand Management. Question: Will my experience in MR and maybe sales help me in my grand plan? After gaining experience in Marketing, I would like to see the management side of production too. I am already a part of a Lean Management group which identifies areas which are more time consuming than necessary and eliminates or streamlines those processes. I am sure I want to follow this path. I would appreciate your help in identifying areas I may have overlooked. Also, I would appreciate if you could enlighten me more on MR. PS: I am doing research on MR (wiki, and some other sites). Thanks again for all the guidance. Regards, Sachin

aurobindo · Answer

Working in different functions can certainly help, but it is not compulsory to enter top management or become a CEO. Many of CEOs were just in one function before they became CEOs.

If I am looking for exposure in different functions, I would try to get that in a single company. I am sure, if I am a good performer I will be given opportunities to work in different functions in the organization.

If I try to get that kind of exposure from different companies, potential recruiters might see me as a confused man rather than somebody who is laying a grand plan. :wink:

sachinzeus · Answer

point taken.

which course do you suggest I follow if what I've written is what I want to follow.

My Strengths:
(a) Communication skiils
(b) Logical skills
(c) Influencing skills

aurobindo · Answer

I think MBA is a suitable course, since General management is your long term goal. With MBA (Marketing), you can have the cake and eat it too

rhyme · Answer

It sounds like some of you here were in Marketing Research ... was anyone here more on the brand management side of things? Can anyone speak to the relative strengths and weaknesses of each path, and certainly any insight into CPG brand mgmt vs service brand mgmt (i.e. amex centurion card

)

ishcabibble · Answer

Thanks for asking this question,  rhyme ! Since my eventual goal is to go into brand management, I would also love to hear experienced posters' thoughts on this!

sachinzeus · Answer

Marketing course advise needed!

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