Is a degree in internet marketing worth having?

Virtually every organisation needs marketing and with internet use now part of life for the vast majority, web marketing has become a massive industry in its own right. Working in digital marketing appeals to ambitious graduates as this is the cutting edge of 21st-century commerce. There are rising employment opportunities for marketing graduates, but it must be said that many successful digital marketing professionals have landed their highly paid jobs without the need for a specific academic qualification.

This begs the question: Is a degree in internet marketing or digital marketing worth having? Experience in the field trumps any degree, seems to be the view from employers at this stage, particularly as the latest degree courses are perhaps too new to be taken seriously, and too costly for many to contemplate. “An Internet marketing degree shows initiative, but experience is more crucial,” John McCarthy, the Senior Director of Digital Strategy at WebMetro told communityvoices.com recently. Industry insiders believe the Google AdWords certification is more valuable than an Internet marketing degree. And of course, on-the-job experience shows that the complexities of email marketing, analytics, SEO and social media have been put into action in the real world, rather than in the classroom.

Attaining a solid marketing degree does look good, especially if there are additional elements that make you stand out when applying for digital marketing jobs. For instance, the University of Northampton, BA (Hons) in Marketing is one of only a few marketing courses in the UK that is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for a Dual Award. This Dual Award means that while studying for your qualification you also have the opportunity to work towards achieving the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing as part of your degree programme, an enhanced qualification that is sought after by employers.

If you have a real passion for a specialism within digital marketing and have the time and the money to gain a top qualification, there are new degrees coming through that will appeal. For instance, you can do an MA in Social Media at Birmingham City University, or an MSC in Digital Marketing & E-commerce at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, sponsored by industry thought leaders eConsultancy.

There are also many ‘distance learning’ online courses you can take, which will provide value for money, and could be your ticket to a digital marketing job.

But without a specialist qualification, how do you land an internet marketing job? One of the best ways to enter the field is by approaching Internet marketing agencies and asking for an internship or a volunteer position. People who take a work experience position learn a lot about the company and, most importantly, show the employer how they can add value. As well as gaining skills and experience, you have access to valuable networking opportunities and if you really impress, you just might land your first internet marketing job.

What’s clear is that internet marketing firms are seeking people who can demonstrate success and provide a good return on a firm’s investment. Social media marketing, customer insight analysis and mobile marketing skills are currently in demand and with our increasingly web-oriented, mobile world, it’s highly likely this demand will continue to grow.

Browse our digital marketing jobs today.