Cassia
Which classes should I take to prepare myself for a Marketing Degree?
Hello! I'm a 15-year-old student in Belgium in 4th secondary, equivalent to 10th grade in the US. Next year in Belgium, we can customize our schedule. However, I've been having some trouble deciding.
I want to pursue a marketing degree. The careers I'm most interested in are Marketing Manager, Advertising and Promotions Manager, and Market Analyst.
We have multiple schedule combinations to choose from, and I would appreciate some advice on what to choose to best prepare for a marketing course in university and a job in that field.
Whatever I choose, I will have 5h of French, 2h of History, 2h of Geography, 4h of English, 2h of Philosophy, and 2h of PE.
The first option is called "Sciences", but I doubt that that would be good for me. It includes 6h of Math, 1h each of Lab and Computer Lab, and 2h each of Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. In the other two options, I will have no Lab and only one hour of each science.
The second option is "languages", it includes 4h of German and 4h of Spanish. We can then choose to have either 2h or 4h of Math.
If we choose 4h of math, we can then choose to add either 2h of Art or 2h of Psychology/Communication.
However, if we choose 2h of Math, we add on an hour of Computer Lab and have the extra choice (along with the two aforementioned electives) of 3h of International Relations.
The last choice is called "Mix", and it includes 4h of German and 4h of Math. This option has a lot of freedom around the extra electives. We can choose between:
2h of Art and 2h of Psyc/Communications
2h of Spanish and 2h of International Relations
3h of News and 2h of Psyc/Communications
3h of News and 2h of Art
3h of News and 3h of International Relations
I think the most major decision in my opinion is 2h or 4h of Math. In marketing, is math an extreme part of it? Math is very important for it, but is it essential to do more math earlier in life to take that path?
There are also differences in what is taught in 2h and 4h of Math. It hasn't been explicitly explained by my school, but the khan academy courses for the different options are rather specific.
2h of math includes three chapters: Statistics (Side note: advanced, we've been doing statistics already.), then Sequences (not sure if that's correctly translated), then Growth Models.
Here's the link to the course.
https://fr.khanacademy.org/math/be-5eme-secondaire2h2
4h of math includes Statistics, Sequences, Trigonometry (Also advanced), Limits, Function Combinations, Derivatives of Functions, Graphed Derivatives, and Application of derivatives.
https://fr.khanacademy.org/math/be-5eme-secondaire4h2
I'm not gonna go crazy in depth about the year after, but in 2h we focus on Probability, and in 4h we focus on more functions and primitives.
There is also of course the choice of electives. In my unprofessional opinion, I assume that Psyc/Communication would be the best elective, but is there a better one? Would it be good to take Spanish? Would it be better to take News?
This is the link to the form including all the possibilities, it is in French, however.
https://secondaire.eiverseau.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Grille-horaire-D3-2021-724x1024.jpg
To anyone who made it this far, thank you for reading and for any advice, it is greatly appreciated.
4 answers
Myles Wood
Myles’s Answer
Based on the three marketing roles that interest you most, my recommendation would be to consider a prioritized focus of which of the roles you're more leaning towards to help guide your decision on disciplines to focus. For example, if you are leaning more towards a role in advertising or promotion, art courses would be beneficial in addition to psych/communications. By comparison, if you are leaning more towards a market analyst role, you'd be well served to have a bit heavier focus in those math (ex. statistics) courses to best help prepare you for an analyst functional role.
Regardless of what course you choose to pursue, you have an overall sound plan from what you have shared.
All the best,
Myles
Xiaojie Johan Liu
Xiaojie Johan’s Answer
Thank you for sharing your information with us. One thing to consider is to think about the prerequisites when applying to college/university and for that specific university. Higher mathematics at the undergraduate level is not really required for marketing, unless you want to pursue quantitative marketing, which is mostly a PhD discipline anyways. I would recommend talking to your high school guidance counselor and talk about the prerequisites for applications to schools either in your home country, elsewhere in Europe or in the United States. What I know for sure is that if you enter a business school, they won't require you to take a lot of mathematics courses.
Hopefully this helps!
Best regards,
Johan
Thank you, this helps a lot!
I don't know anyone who went to business school or who did anything in the field I want to go into, so I don't know a lot about what is required. Thanks for clarifying about the math requirements!
Cassia
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Choosing the Right Classes for a Marketing Degree
To prepare for a marketing degree and a career in marketing, it’s important to select classes that will provide you with a strong foundation in business, communication, and analytical skills. Here are some recommended classes that can help you prepare for a marketing degree and the careers you are interested in:
Business Studies or Economics: Taking classes in business studies or economics will provide you with a fundamental understanding of how businesses operate, including topics such as marketing, finance, and management. These classes will introduce you to key concepts that are essential for a career in marketing.
Mathematics and Statistics: A strong foundation in mathematics and statistics is crucial for a career in marketing, especially if you are interested in becoming a market analyst. These classes will help you develop analytical and quantitative skills that are valuable in analyzing market trends and consumer behavior.
Communication and Media Studies: Courses in communication and media studies can help you develop strong communication skills, which are essential for roles such as advertising and promotions manager. These classes can also provide insights into consumer behavior and the impact of media on marketing strategies.
Psychology or Sociology: Understanding human behavior is important in marketing. Classes in psychology or sociology can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, decision-making processes, and cultural influences, which are all relevant to careers in marketing.
Computer Science or Information Technology: In today’s digital age, having knowledge of computer science or information technology can be beneficial for a career in marketing. Understanding digital tools, data analysis, and online marketing platforms can give you an edge in the field.
Foreign Language: Given that you already have 5 hours of French, consider continuing to develop your language skills. Proficiency in multiple languages can be advantageous in the globalized world of marketing.
While these classes can provide a solid foundation for a marketing degree and future career opportunities, it’s also important to consider extracurricular activities such as internships, volunteering, or joining clubs related to marketing or business. These experiences can further enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to the field when applying to university programs.
Ultimately, when customizing your schedule, aim for a well-rounded selection of classes that will not only prepare you academically but also develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills – all of which are valuable assets in the field of marketing.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review
Forbes
American Marketing Association
These sources were consulted to gather insights from industry experts, academic perspectives on marketing education, and current trends in the field of marketing.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Karin P.
Karin’s Answer
You wrote us a book here! :-/
I would definitely pick psychology/ communication as well. Art would also be useful, but I am not sure if you can take both.
You will need math, but I don't know if 2 or 4 lectures are needed. If you are good with math just take it. Understanding statistics is important. Computer lab is important too for anyone. AI will revolutionize many things we are doing now. You want to be ready. Learn a programming language like Python, SQL or R.
Maybe check with universities you might consider if they have any pre-requisites to be admitted e.g. a requirement to have 4 hours of math.
Languages are always usefull. First, it allows you to work or collaborate in differeny countries. Second, you get a cultural understanding which copy might work in one country and fall flat in another.
History and news are also useful. Both give you a grounding in culture and trends that can be part of your advertising campaigns.
I hope this helps. You have to put it together into a schedule and see what works.
KP