Marketing is often misunderstood as a profession where people simply manipulate others into buying things they didn’t know they wanted. However, marketing is so much more than that. Marketing Management, in particular, is a field that offers a broader perspective on what marketing truly entails. It’s a subject worth exploring, especially if you’re considering studying it. With over 60% of young people contemplating a degree in marketing (Marketing week), it’s important to understand why this field is so appealing, which areas of marketing you might want to focus on, and what you can expect from studying it.

Why Should You Study Marketing or Marketing Management?

There are many reasons why marketing is one of the most considered degrees. At its core, marketing is about understanding people—their motivations, decisions, and behaviors. If you have a passion for this, combined with a creative mindset, marketing could be a perfect fit for you.

Creativity is often the number one reason people choose to study marketing, aside from financial incentives. Can you be creative in this field? Absolutely! Marketing allows you to express your creativity in various ways, from designing compelling campaigns to crafting innovative strategies.

However, the level of creative freedom you have can vary depending on where you study. Some universities take a more theoretical approach to marketing, which might not be as creatively stimulating. So, if creativity is your main goal, it’s important to consider this when choosing where to study.

What is Marketing Management?

Marketing Management looks at the entire scope of marketing activities. It’s not just about creating catchy ads or posting viral TikToks—it’s also about financial planning, customer relations, managing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), leading teams, sales, data analysis, and much more.

The name speaks for itself: Marketing Management is about managing the various aspects of marketing. If you enjoy overseeing projects and thinking strategically, this course might be for you. While you can still be creative and engage in tasks like ad creation or social media management, marketing management provides you with a broader, more strategic vision of how all these elements fit together.

Finding Your Place in Marketing

Marketing is everywhere—from the supermarket aisles to corporate offices—so there are countless roles you can explore. Finding your place in marketing isn’t just about a physical location; it’s about discovering where your strengths and passions align within the field.

For instance, have you ever wondered why products in IKEA are placed the way they are? That’s the work of someone who found their niche in visual merchandising, an important aspect of marketing. This person might have started in a different role, like email marketing, before realizing their true passion.

The beauty of studying marketing management is that it exposes you to all these different facets of marketing. While it might not delve as deeply into specific areas like design or finance, it gives you a comprehensive overview, allowing you to discover what truly excites you.

What to Expect When Studying Marketing Management

One of the first things you’ll learn in marketing is to expect the unexpected. Not everything you hear or read—whether in surveys or elsewhere—is always accurate.

While creativity is a significant part of marketing, completing a marketing management degree involves much more than just being creative. It’s a challenging course that requires you to think critically and analytically. There will be moments when you might question, “Is this even marketing?”—and that’s perfectly normal.

It’s also important to manage your expectations about what a career in marketing looks like. Shows like Emily in Paris often glamorize marketing jobs, but the reality is far more complex. You’ll be asked if your job is like the one portrayed on TV, but in truth, marketing is about much more than just fun and games. It involves making sense of data, analyzing Google Analytics dashboards, and ensuring your strategies are on the right track.

Conclusion

Marketing isn’t about manipulation, and it’s certainly not as easy as it may seem. Whether you choose to specialize in a particular area of marketing or study the broader field of marketing management, it’s a decision worth considering. If you’re young and, like many others, believe that marketing is your calling, go for it! But remember, it’s not all about creating TikToks and Instagram reels—it’s also about interpreting data and making informed decisions.

P.S. Don’t take everything too seriously—do what makes you happy. And if you find that marketing isn’t for you, remember there are plenty of other paths you can explore!