What Can I Do With a Major In Advertising?

UGA Specific Information for Advertising

Advertising is a dynamic field that combines creativity, strategy, and psychology to craft compelling campaigns across various platforms, including digital, print, social media, and broadcast. It focuses on shaping messages, creating brand identities, and influencing consumer behavior to connect brands with consumers and drive engagement.

 

Why Choose Advertising?

A degree in Advertising equips students with skills in:

  • Creative Campaign Development: Designing attention-grabbing ads and brand messages.

  • Consumer Psychology & Market Research: Understanding audience behavior and decision-making.

  • Digital & Social Media Strategy: Leveraging online platforms for impactful marketing.

  • Brand Management & Storytelling: Building strong brand identities and loyalty.

  • Data Analytics & Ad Optimization: Using insights to refine strategies and measure success.

 

Career Paths in Advertising

Graduates can pursue careers in various sectors:

  • Advertising Agencies: Developing campaigns for multiple clients.

  • Corporate Brand Marketing: Managing the image and outreach of individual companies.

  • Social Media & Influencer Marketing: Creating viral content and digital experiences.

  • Media Buying & Strategy: Determining optimal ad placement for maximum impact.

  • Creative Direction & Copywriting: Crafting compelling visuals and messages.

  • Market Research & Consumer Insights: Understanding trends to shape advertising strategies.

 

Distinction Between Advertising and Public Relations: Advertising focuses on paid media and creative campaigns to promote products or services. Public Relations (PR) centers on building relationships and managing reputation through earned media

Distinction Between Advertising and Marketing: Marketing is a broad, comprehensive strategy focused on building relationships and addressing customer needs, while Advertising is a specific, paid form of promotion within that strategy.

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

Class of 2024 Career Outcomes for Advertising*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

1. Academic & Advising Resources:

 

2. Student Organizations & Extracurriculars:

  • UGA AdClub: Student organization offering networking, speaker events, and agency visits.

  • Talking Dog Agency: UGA’s student-run advertising and PR agency, providing hands-on experience with real clients.

 

3. Career Development & Experiential Learning:

 

4. Communication & Networking Opportunities:

 

5. Campus Media & Digital Platforms:

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

Employers seek graduates who demonstrate:

  • Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Adaptability & Problem-Solving

  • Project Management

  • Data Literacy & Analytical Skills

  • Proficiency with Creative Tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, social media platforms)

 

Common Entry-Level Roles and Career Progression:

Entry-Level: Account Coordinator, Media Planner, Social Media Specialist, Copywriter, Digital Marketing Analyst, Graphic Designer.

Example Progression: Account Manager > Art Director > Creative Director

Example Progression: Media Assistant > Media Buyer > Media Director

 

Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio is highly recommended for creative roles (copywriting, art direction, design). For strategy or account roles, case studies and project summaries are valuable.

 

Typical Starting Salaries: Entry-level advertising positions typically range from $40,000–$55,000 per year, varying by location and role.

 

The Future of Advertising

The industry continuously evolves with AI-driven marketing, interactive content, and personalized brand experiences. Successful advertisers combine creativity with data-driven decision-making to ensure innovative and impactful campaigns. Key trends include artificial intelligence and automation, influencer and content marketing, and sustainability/purpose-driven branding.

 

Representation in Advertising

The advertising industry is committed to representative messaging and talent. Explore these resources:

 

Additional Study Options: Many graduates pursue a Master’s in Advertising, Emerging Media, or Mass Media Studies, or an MBA with a Marketing concentration.

or a Graduate Certificate in

You may also be interested in Certificates in

 

Additional Career Research Resources

For comprehensive career planning and industry insights, consider the following resources:

1. Industry Career Outlook & Employment Trends:

 

2. Advertising & Marketing Industry Insights:

  • AdAge: Covers trends, case studies, and innovations in advertising.

  • Adweek: Industry news, trends, and career advice.

  • MarketingWeek: Focuses on global marketing and advertising strategies.

  • HubSpot Marketing Blog: Insights on digital and inbound marketing techniques.

 

3. Digital & Social Media Advertising Tools:

 

4. Consumer Behavior & Market Research Resources:

  • Nielsen: Consumer trends and analytics in advertising.

  • Think with Google: Reports on consumer behavior and digital media effectiveness.

  • Statista: Global market data and industry trends.

 

5. Advertising Strategy & Creative Development:

Employment Websites

Professional Associations/Resources

1. National & International Advertising Associations:

 

2. Student & Emerging Professional Resources:

 

3. Educational & Industry Publications:

 

4. Networking & Professional Development:

Employers/Position Titles Reported by Class of 2024 Advertising Majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2024 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
20North Marketing Business Development Representative
20North Marketing Business Development Representative
20North Marketing Media Analyst
Abercrombie & Fitch Assistant Merchant
Accenture Sales Development Representative
Aiko Brands Social Media Coordinator
ALKU Account Manager
Anomaly Social Strategy Intern
Atlanta Braves Event Sales Coordinator
BBDO Atlanta Junior Strategist
Bipper Media Account Executive
Blue Skies Event coordinator
Bluevault Marketing Specialist
BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition Retail Execution Specialist
BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition Retail Execution Specialist
Bourne Creatives A&R
Britannica Home Fashions, Inc. Marketing Coordinator
Bull Realty Office Manager
Burson Social Analyst
Carroll Daniel Construction Marketing Coordinator
Chandley Communications Inc. Account Coordinator
Choice Media and Communications Digital Media Intern
Cox Enterprises Associate Product Manager
Cox Enterprises Social Media and Marketing Specialist
CultureSpeed Communications Account Coordinator
Daikin Comfort Accelerated Management Program Associate
Deloitte Tax Technology Consultant
Dick's Sporting Good Team Lead of Customer Service
Edelman Assistant Account Executive
Effectv Account Executive
Effectv Account Manager
Envida Social Social Strategist
EverSpark Interactive Account Manager
EXACT Sports Digital Marketing Specialist
EXACT Sports Digital Marketing Specialist
Fitzco Associate Media Planner
Florida A&M University Digital Media Coordinator
Gallagher Client Service Associate
Georgia Baptist Mission Board Campus Missionary
Get Engaged Media Celebrity and Brand Partnerships Account Associate
Ginger Howard Selections E-Commerce Specialist
h2o creative group Social Media Specialist
Heritage GA Associate Director of Marketing & Guest Services
Home Accent Marketing Associate
Insight Global Recruiter
Insight Global Recruiter
IPG health Associate Engagement Strategy
It Is Well Healthcare Marketing Director & Reception
JetFuel Creative Coordinator
Joele Frank Account Associate
Katz Media Group Sales Coordinator
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP Marketing & Business Development Coordinator
Lee & Associates Marketing Specialist
Legends Store & Merchandise Supervisor
Locum Tenens Account Sales Representative
Martin Retail Group Account Coordinator
Modo Modo Agency Media Associate
MORE Creative Agency Chief Executive Officer
MullenLowe Brand Marketing & Corp Comms Intern
Nebo Agency Junior Strategist
Nebo Agency Paid Media Associate
NorX Inc. Marketing and Sales Representative
On Trend Creative Studio Content Creator Intern
Origami Risk Associate Product Marketing Manager
PepsiCo Sales Management Associate
PulteGroup Sales Consultant
Rubin Postaer and Associates Account Coordinator
Sage Path Reply Project Coordinator
SAP Digital Data Analyst
Seed Social Junior Account Manager
Select Model Model
Self-Employed Entrepreneur
Summit Risk Advisors Insurance Producer
Symetra Regional Sales Associate
Tampa Bay Buccaneers BucVision Intern
The Classic Center Event Planner
The Minnesota Star Tribune Media Operations Coordinator
Third Lens Ministries Graphic Designer
Unum Sales Associate
Warner Bros. Discovery Account Coordinator
Warner Bros. Discovery Branded Entertainment Coordinator
Worldwide Technologies Strategic Initiative Coordinator
* 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 2024 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.

Graduate/Professional Schools Attended by Class of 2024 Advertising Majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2024 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)
Boston University Advertising, MS
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Marketing Research, MMR
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Journalism and Mass Comm, MA
University of Georgia Urban Planning and Design, MUPD
University of Georgia Integrated Advertising and Public Relations, MA
* denotes no responses received.

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