What Can I Do With a Major In Advertising?

UGA Specific Information for Advertising

Advertising is a dynamic field combining creativity, strategy, and psychology to craft compelling campaigns that influence consumer behavior and build brand identities across digital, print, and broadcast platforms. While it is often part of a broader marketing strategy, advertising focuses specifically on paid media and mediated persuasion to promote products or services.

In the current job market, the industry is undergoing a structural shift driven by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI is increasingly automating transactional tasks like drafting social posts and compiling reports, human creativity, strategic judgment, and cultural fluency remain the primary differentiators. The modern landscape is dominated by the Creator Economy, which has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar pillar of brand strategy, moving away from "vanity metrics" toward demonstrable ROI and earned community growth.

 

Common Career Paths & Roles:

  • Traditional Creative & Account Roles: Copywriter, Art Director, Account Coordinator, and Media Planner
  • Emerging Specialties: AI Marketing Specialist, Content Strategist (focusing on narrative direction over production volume), Sustainability Marketing Manager, and Programmatic Manager

Typical Starting Salaries: Entry-level roles generally range from $40,000–$55,000, with specialized junior creative positions in major hubs (NYC, LA) reaching $60,000–$75,000 depending on portfolio strength.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES and GRADUATE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS REPORTED FOR THIS MAJOR

Class of 2025 Career Outcomes for Advertising*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

The University of Georgia offers extensive support for students at every stage of their advertising journey:

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

For Those Considering or Just Starting the Major:

  • Explore Early: Take JRLC 1001 to explore communication careers and join a student organization in your first year to "try on" the major.
  • Focus on Transferable "Analog" Skills: Even as AI evolves, employers increasingly prize human-centric skills like storytelling, strategy, and critical thinking.

For Those Preparing to Graduate:

  • Portfolios are Mandatory: A digital portfolio is non-negotiable for creative roles and highly recommended for strategy and account paths. Include 3–5 high-impact case studies using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to prove your measurable impact with real data (e.g., ROAS, conversion rates).
  • Master AI Literacy: Learn to work alongside AI; understanding how to effectively prompt and direct AI workflows is a massive competitive advantage in the current job market.
  • Network Laterally: Connect with other juniors and mid-level professionals. Peer connections often become the champions who push your portfolio through to recruiters.
  • Refresh Skills Regularly: In a market where skill sets redefine rapidly, maintain an annual recertification cycle for key platforms (Google, Meta, HubSpot) and build "reconnection capability" to link your skills to evolving organizational needs.

 

Additional Career Research Resources

For comprehensive planning and staying ahead of industry shifts, utilize these resources:

Employment Websites

Professional Associations/Resources

Engaging with professional bodies provides access to the "hidden job market" through networking:

Employers/Position Titles Reported by Class of 2025 Advertising Majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2025 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
20North Marketing Business Development Representative
Adobe Business Development Representative
ADP Associate District Manager
Antidote Style Digital and Social Media Intern
Apple Associate Client Strategist
Athens Micro Marketing Representative
Athens Rock Lobsters Event Staff Intern
Audacy, Inc. Account Manager
Backbone Digital Fellow
BBDO Atlanta Intern
BGB Group Associate Copywriter
Big Machine Label Group Marketing Coordinator
Boathouse Social Specialist
Chick-fil-A Restaurant Marketing Director
CoStar Group Inside Sales Associate
DirecTV Advertisement Sales Planning Coordinator
Empire Distributors, Inc. Marketing and Design Assistant
ENTRUST Solutions Group Marketing Specialist
Epic Systems Project Manager
Estée Lauder Companies Social Engagement Associate
FerebeeLane Account Coordinator
FerebeeLane Account Intern
Fiserv Corporate Analyst
Georgia Innocence Project Legal Records Intern
Get Engaged Media Brand Influencer Marketing Intern
Golden Link Graphic Design & Marketing
Green Olive Media Social Media Coordinator
Ideas United Program Aide
IST Management Marketing Specialist
Lightmark Media Social Media Specialist
Loganville Christian Academy Graphic Designer
Magnite Associate Account Executive
Marsh & McLennan Companies Social Media Marketing Designer
Melara Enterprises Marketing Graphic Designer
Naggiar & Sarif Family Law Legal Assistant
NBCUniversal Advertisement Sales Intern
Newmark Associate
Optomi Associate Account Executive
Paychex Mid-Market Sales Consultant
Peachtree Financial Group Marketing Associate
Publicis Groupe Associate Campaign Manager
Quinlan Visual Arts Center Marketing Intern
Red Pepper Client Services Apprentice
RHM Staffing Solutions Recruiter
Ruder Finn Executive Trainee
See.Spark.Go Apprentice
Soliant Health Account Executive
SRQ Media Group Social Media, Digital Marketing and Events Manager
Stardust Brand Operations Manager
Stord Customer Experience Associate
Tailgreeter Account Manager Intern
The Coca-Cola Company Business Development Intern
The Hidden Jams Artist Relations & Operations Manager
Tie Down Account Executive
Troops & Allies Marketing Specialist
Troy Social Social Media Apprentice
University of Georgia Digital Engagement and Social Media Specialist
UPS Compliance & Ethics Marketing Intern
Visit Dallas Marketing Coordinator
WelcomeHome Software Content Specialist
* denotes no responses received.
*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2025 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.
Possible Employers Who May Hire UGA Advertising Majors

Graduate/Professional Schools Attended by Class of 2025 Advertising Majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2025 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
Gemological Institute of America Gemologist, GG
Georgia State University Occupational Therapy, OTD
Northwestern University Integrated Marketing Communications, MA
University of Georgia Advertising, MA
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising & Public Relations, MA
University of Georgia Journalism & Mass Communication, MA
University of Georgia Journalism & Mass Communication, MA
University of Georgia Journalism & Mass Communication, MA
University of Georgia Kinesiology, MS
* denotes no responses received.

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