How an Advertising Major Prepares You for the Job Market
An advertising degree prepares students to communicate ideas and sell items within a variety of communication fields. Advertising majors will learn the basic fundamentals of advertising for the promotion and sale of products, services and brands. In order to gain a well-rounded communications education, students will study advertising techniques, theory, marketing strategies, as well as media management and some public relations. They learn both the creative and business aspects of advertising throughout the curriculum, while participating in team projects that hone their communications and advertising skills. Advertising students will learn how to create copy and layouts for advertising promotions, as well as develop solutions and business techniques to meet clients' needs.

Best Career Paths for Advertising Majors
Advertising majors learn valuable skills that are needed in several job markets, including these top career paths:

• Advertising Sales Agent. Advertising sales agents sell or solicit advertising for various media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television and Web sites. Their main goal is to sell a media firm's advertising space or time to clients by building relationships and serving their business needs. Advertising sales agents often work in the information division of media firms, which involves handling clients and soliciting advertising from national advertisers. They spend much of their time working with current clients and finding new accounts by making cold calls, conducting meetings and traveling to visit prospective clients at their place of work. Advertising sales agents use business and marketing skills to sell space, time and other opportunities for advertising. This is a fast-paced occupation, in which most agents do business over the phone or outside of the office. Advertising sales agents made an average yearly salary of $43,480 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Advertising Manager. Advertising managers are in charge of developing and managing a company's advertising and promotional material. They often work in advertising agencies, assisting clients with advertising campaigns, or in media firms that specialize in selling advertisement space or time. Advertising managers are integral to the beginning stages of advertising products, services or brands. They spend much of their time brainstorming ideas for the campaign, overseeing the development of advertising, as well as preparing and adhering to the campaign budget. Advertising managers work with sales agents, design teams and financial staff members to direct the advertising campaign process. In addition, they exchange information and work in between media firms that need the advertising, and advertising agencies that develop and solicit ads. According to the Bureau, advertising managers made an average salary of $80,220 in 2008.

How to Market Your Advertising Degree
A combination of business knowledge and effective marketing skills makes advertising majors leaders of various communication fields and marketable job candidates. Throughout your educational training, you have obtained industry-specific skills and techniques that can be used in professional work, including copywriting, creating marketing campaigns and developing solutions for clients. On a greater scale, your advertising degree has taught you how to effectively sell and promote a product or service, as well as meet industry demands and serve the needs of current and future clients.