Becoming an advertising executive can take time and requires starting in lower positions such as an associate or specialist. Education in marketing or sales, experience, and a drive for creative problem-solving are helpful. Starting with an enjoyable advertising program and asking about long-term goals and promotion possibilities can increase career satisfaction.
Advertising executives are typically mid-level managers in advertising companies and departments, and the steps required to become an advertising executive or advertising executive can take a long time. For the most part, up-and-coming advertising agents must enter the field as advertising specialists or associates, who can rise to executive or senior management level. An educational background in marketing or sales, as well as an energetic personality, a drive to succeed, and a tenacity for creative problem solving often help a career in advertising move forward.
Most advertising executives started in the lower echelons of an advertising agency or company, often as interns or low-level account specialists. One of the hallmarks of the account executive position is the experience of working with clients, building portfolios and managing advertising campaigns. These are skills that take time to hone. Most of the time, an advertising agent must have a successful track record in the field of advertising before becoming an advertising executive.
There are several ways in which one can start a career in advertising and start on the path to becoming an advertising executive. The first place most people start is with their education. Many colleges and universities offer degrees in marketing, sales, and communications that can be applied to a future in advertising. Degrees in business, graphic or visual design, and media relations are also generally assets for advertising agents.
Experience is also important. Most employers want to see a sample of your work before making a hiring decision. Sometimes advertising materials or campaigns designed as part of a class assignment can be used as a portfolio sample, but the best way to generate quality samples is through hands-on experience.
An internship can be a good place to start. Many companies and advertising agencies hire summer or school year interns to work as part of creative design teams. The salary is usually low, but in many cases the experience makes the time invested worthwhile. Internships can often lead to more permanent positions. The internship experience will also give you the chance to interact with full-time advertising agents and often even discuss and get feedback on your plans to become an advertising executive.
As with most careers, there is no one right path to landing a job in advertising or becoming an advertising executive. Getting hired by an advertising firm is always a good start, but it’s just one foot in the door. Much of your promotion potential is a factor of the company’s needs, your skills, and the availability of advancement possibilities. Before taking a job with an advertising company, ask about the company’s long-term goals, whether they intend to expand in the future, and what their possibilities for promotion look like from the start.
You can also ask to speak with an existing account executive to determine what he or she actually does on a day-to-day basis. An advertising manager at one company may do a very different job than a similar executive at a different company. While switching companies mid-career is almost always an option, starting with an advertising program that you enjoy and can look forward to is one of the best ways to ensure career satisfaction and increase your chances of becoming an advertising executive. .
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