What Is A Marketing Manager?
The main role of a Marketing Manager is to plan the best way to promote your employer’s product, service or message to a specific target audience. In order for you to do this, various strategies need to be considered, namely media advertising, promotional events, mailing as well as internet exposure. Also known as a Brand or Account Manager, you as a Marketing Manager would often specialise in certain products or markets, whether it be financial services, consumer goods or special events.
In this line of work, you would need to research and analyse market trends as well as identify your target market and how best to reach them. You would also need to come up with marketing strategies, plan campaigns around these and manage budgets accordingly. Seeing to the production of your promotional material (posters etc) and attending various trade related meetings and conferences is a must. A successful Marketing Manager attends to finer details like making sure deadlines are met and budgets stuck to, as well as keeping your client in the loop as to the effectiveness of the various strategies and campaigns. You might also have to manage a team of marketing executives and assistants if your organisation is large enough to warrant it.
What Skills Do I Need?
As with every job, there are specific skills and personality traits that make you more successful in that particular position. Excellent spoken and written communication skills is an absolute necessity as a Marketing Manager. You should be a creative thinker who is not afraid to find a solution outside the box and have good organisational and planning skills. As you will be in charge of a team of marketing people, the ability to motivate and lead them is essential. A career as a Marketing Manager is a rather stressful one, so the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines is a good trait to possess. You should be able to take initiative, be motivated, pay attention to detail and have the confidence to sell your ideas.
What Qualifications Do I Need?
In order to advance to the position of Marketing Manager, you will need to have a solid grounding as a Marketing Executive first. Although by this stage of your career a prospective employer would be more inclined to view your track record, industry knowledge and skill set as the major draw card, some would like you to have a professional marketing qualification. Courses to research would be a Marketing Management Diploma or an IAC ( Institute of Administration and Commerce ) recognised management course. If you are just entering into this field of studies and would like to aim towards becoming a Marketing Manager, a good starting point is a to attain a Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Marketing Management which is usually achieved in three years.
What are the Working Hours and Conditions Like?
As a Marketing Manager, generally speaking, your working hours will consist of an ordinary 8 – 5 day. You should however expect to work extra hours during major campaigns or when deadlines need to be met. Some after hour and weekend time might also be expected if there are any special events to see to. Your job generally be office-based, but some travel might be expected in order to meet with clients.
An Overview Of Various Career Options
The term “study” might bring back some memories, but unlike our school days, studying to pursue a career is much more interesting as you can now choose subjects based on your interests and the things you enjoy learning about. In order to make the correct career choice you need to know yourself. What are your values, interests and skills? These factors in combination with certain personality traits, will most likely define the career that is most suitable for you.
If you're creative by nature you may want to consider an arts and crafts course. Doing a course in this field will improve your skills and can turn your hobby into a profitable source of income. It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill, develop the artist inside you or pursue a much-loved interest. A lot of people are making a decent income from their crafts – so can you!
For those interested in the development, nursing and caring of children there is a wide selection of careers focusing on babies and kids. Careers in this field are au pairs, childminders, kindergarten teachers, child care workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists etc. For the little ones there are courses available that will not only teach them new skills but also stimulate them mentally and physically.
The beauty industry is an exciting and competitive industry. If you love working with people and have a keen interest in beauty related subjects, this might just be the career for you. When you have the required qualification, you can travel the world with these skills and work in areas such as beauty salons, hair salons, film shoots, cosmetic companies and cruise ships, to name a few.
Business courses are geared toward entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses, as well as managers who would like to see their business grow and expand. A business qualification opens doors across a wide range of industries and professions. This field is suitable for candidates interested and skilled in communication, planning, decision-making, problem solving, administration, managementand other business skills. A business course will definitely boost your employability across various industries.
Computers / IT is one of the main fields of interest for many people. Technology has become such a huge part of our lives, and thankfully we have skilled, educated people who can implement these systems, write software programs and fix our computers which can be quite temperamental at times! By doing a computer or IT related course, you are investing in your future as most companies require computer literate staff and a course such as this will never go to waste!
If you love cooking and find it more of an enjoyment than a chore, chances are you would love using this natural talent in an environment where you can express this form of art and meet other like-minded individuals. With a cooking course you have the option to either use it to better your skills or you can take it to a professional level. By exploring this field you will learn new techniques, discover new recipes and your confidence might improve with regards to experimenting.
A decorating and design course is a great option for people who love giving their homes a makeover, those interested in a career in the interior design industry and those already working in the industry. If you have a flair for colour and design and an eye for detail this is probably a field that you would enjoy studying. With a decorating and design qualification you can enjoy rewarding work as an interior decorator/consultant, independent contractor, employee of a design firm, in-store decorator/designer or as a consultant.
Although the fashion industry is a glamorous and exciting one, it can be quite demanding and is usually highly competitive. Individuals entering the field should have a good eye for colour, style, an ability to sketch and an interest in design. You can work as a designer (garments or accessories), personal assistant to a designer, fashion/beauty editor or a fashion source co-coordinator, to name a few.
The Film & Media industry is fast-paced, exciting and diverse and you can be sure that in this line of work you will hardly ever have a dull moment. Careers in this industry include broadcast and print journalism; television, radio and film production; media management, advertising and public relations and education.
If you feel comfortable outdoors, love working in the garden and have a flair for garden layout, you would probably benefit from further studies in this area. This will not only increase your knowledge in an area you love learning about, it might even inspire you to start your own business, doing what you so love. You might want to consider a career as a landscape architect, garden designer or something similar.
The Health and Wellness field covers a range of courses focusing on improving and promoting healthy living. Here you will find courses that will enable you to become one of many things, such as a fitness instructor or dietitian perhaps.
How about a career as a translator, interpreter or perhaps a language teacher to adults? Languages can open many doors and build many bridges . Are you ready to take on the challenge of learning a new language or developing the ones you already know? There are about 6900 known languages worldwide - take your pick!
If you have a passion for people and would love to assist them in growing their marriages, you shouldn’t let this wonderful gift go to waste. A pre-marital course can teach couples what to expect and how to navigate the first year of marriage, while married couples might want to learn how to better their marriages. Equip yourself, get experience in this area and consider working as a counselor or a facilitator.
Professionals in the medical field are hard pressed to keep up with the increasing demand for medical services. There is a huge demand for medical staff, such as medical reps, nursing staff, doctors and caregivers, to name a few. There are also short courses to equip you like a first aid or a CPR course.
By studying or doing a course in Publishing and Writing you can turn your dream of publishing your own book into a reality. These courses can teach you all you need to know, from how to write a book to the final steps of printing, marketing and distributing it. If you are creative, self-motivated, have good judgment and the ability to express ideas clearly in writing you can write your own books, short stories for magazines or perhaps a regular column in a magazine or newspaper.
Sports enthusiasts can look into the extensive range of academic and vocational sports courses on offer. With a qualification in sport you can work at a sports club, sport federation, gym, recreational club, school and many more. Career opportunities in this industry range from athletic trainers, managers, floor instructors, personal trainers, coaches, sport agents, masseuses and sport & recreation officers, to name a few.
The tourism and hospitality industry offers the potential for an interesting and rewarding career. Many young people are exploring this field and looking for courses that will prepare them for careers in this industry. Employment opportunities in this area are managers, chefs, travel agents, banqueting managers, food & beverage co-coordinators, catering managers, project managers, etc. If you have a sense of adventure you might want to apply for temporary employment on a cruise ship and see the world!
These are just a few career options, if you would like to find out more about any of the above or perhaps a field that wasn’t mentioned, it would be advisable to speak to a career counselor for more in-depth details or consider purchasing a book on career options in SA. This is a big decision - take your time, do some research and speak to people in different fields. If you would like to get into a certain field but are perhaps not up to studying for a lengthy period of time, have a look at our short courses.
If you're creative by nature you may want to consider an arts and crafts course. Doing a course in this field will improve your skills and can turn your hobby into a profitable source of income. It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill, develop the artist inside you or pursue a much-loved interest. A lot of people are making a decent income from their crafts – so can you!
For those interested in the development, nursing and caring of children there is a wide selection of careers focusing on babies and kids. Careers in this field are au pairs, childminders, kindergarten teachers, child care workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists etc. For the little ones there are courses available that will not only teach them new skills but also stimulate them mentally and physically.
The beauty industry is an exciting and competitive industry. If you love working with people and have a keen interest in beauty related subjects, this might just be the career for you. When you have the required qualification, you can travel the world with these skills and work in areas such as beauty salons, hair salons, film shoots, cosmetic companies and cruise ships, to name a few.
Business courses are geared toward entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses, as well as managers who would like to see their business grow and expand. A business qualification opens doors across a wide range of industries and professions. This field is suitable for candidates interested and skilled in communication, planning, decision-making, problem solving, administration, managementand other business skills. A business course will definitely boost your employability across various industries.
Computers / IT is one of the main fields of interest for many people. Technology has become such a huge part of our lives, and thankfully we have skilled, educated people who can implement these systems, write software programs and fix our computers which can be quite temperamental at times! By doing a computer or IT related course, you are investing in your future as most companies require computer literate staff and a course such as this will never go to waste!
If you love cooking and find it more of an enjoyment than a chore, chances are you would love using this natural talent in an environment where you can express this form of art and meet other like-minded individuals. With a cooking course you have the option to either use it to better your skills or you can take it to a professional level. By exploring this field you will learn new techniques, discover new recipes and your confidence might improve with regards to experimenting.
A decorating and design course is a great option for people who love giving their homes a makeover, those interested in a career in the interior design industry and those already working in the industry. If you have a flair for colour and design and an eye for detail this is probably a field that you would enjoy studying. With a decorating and design qualification you can enjoy rewarding work as an interior decorator/consultant, independent contractor, employee of a design firm, in-store decorator/designer or as a consultant.
Although the fashion industry is a glamorous and exciting one, it can be quite demanding and is usually highly competitive. Individuals entering the field should have a good eye for colour, style, an ability to sketch and an interest in design. You can work as a designer (garments or accessories), personal assistant to a designer, fashion/beauty editor or a fashion source co-coordinator, to name a few.
The Film & Media industry is fast-paced, exciting and diverse and you can be sure that in this line of work you will hardly ever have a dull moment. Careers in this industry include broadcast and print journalism; television, radio and film production; media management, advertising and public relations and education.
If you feel comfortable outdoors, love working in the garden and have a flair for garden layout, you would probably benefit from further studies in this area. This will not only increase your knowledge in an area you love learning about, it might even inspire you to start your own business, doing what you so love. You might want to consider a career as a landscape architect, garden designer or something similar.
The Health and Wellness field covers a range of courses focusing on improving and promoting healthy living. Here you will find courses that will enable you to become one of many things, such as a fitness instructor or dietitian perhaps.
How about a career as a translator, interpreter or perhaps a language teacher to adults? Languages can open many doors and build many bridges . Are you ready to take on the challenge of learning a new language or developing the ones you already know? There are about 6900 known languages worldwide - take your pick!
If you have a passion for people and would love to assist them in growing their marriages, you shouldn’t let this wonderful gift go to waste. A pre-marital course can teach couples what to expect and how to navigate the first year of marriage, while married couples might want to learn how to better their marriages. Equip yourself, get experience in this area and consider working as a counselor or a facilitator.
Professionals in the medical field are hard pressed to keep up with the increasing demand for medical services. There is a huge demand for medical staff, such as medical reps, nursing staff, doctors and caregivers, to name a few. There are also short courses to equip you like a first aid or a CPR course.
By studying or doing a course in Publishing and Writing you can turn your dream of publishing your own book into a reality. These courses can teach you all you need to know, from how to write a book to the final steps of printing, marketing and distributing it. If you are creative, self-motivated, have good judgment and the ability to express ideas clearly in writing you can write your own books, short stories for magazines or perhaps a regular column in a magazine or newspaper.
Sports enthusiasts can look into the extensive range of academic and vocational sports courses on offer. With a qualification in sport you can work at a sports club, sport federation, gym, recreational club, school and many more. Career opportunities in this industry range from athletic trainers, managers, floor instructors, personal trainers, coaches, sport agents, masseuses and sport & recreation officers, to name a few.
The tourism and hospitality industry offers the potential for an interesting and rewarding career. Many young people are exploring this field and looking for courses that will prepare them for careers in this industry. Employment opportunities in this area are managers, chefs, travel agents, banqueting managers, food & beverage co-coordinators, catering managers, project managers, etc. If you have a sense of adventure you might want to apply for temporary employment on a cruise ship and see the world!
These are just a few career options, if you would like to find out more about any of the above or perhaps a field that wasn’t mentioned, it would be advisable to speak to a career counselor for more in-depth details or consider purchasing a book on career options in SA. This is a big decision - take your time, do some research and speak to people in different fields. If you would like to get into a certain field but are perhaps not up to studying for a lengthy period of time, have a look at our short courses.
How To Decide On A Career Path
There are so many different career options to consider, it’s just natural that you would feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Choosing a career is not something to be taken lightly, it may be very challenging to change careers later on in life when you have a family to support, a bond to pay off etc., so rather try and make the right career choice from the get go. To ensure that you decide on the right career for you, invest time and effort in doing your homework and find out as much as possible.
Whether you are starting out life, in search of career options or considering a career change, a few minutes with a career coach (counsellor) will help direct your focus to options that you have a natural feel for. When making a big decision like this, a family member might not be the right person to take advice from as they usually want their loved ones to play it safe and are comfortable with them not rocking the boat to much. By speaking to someone objective who has the experience to identify your strong points and guide you to the right job will be a valuable investment.
A good way to determine whether you’d like working in a certain environment is to get some experience in that specific field. With some companies one can apply as an apprentice and get paid while you’re learning the trade and some businesses will allow you to gain work experience within their corporation for little or no compensation. Take the opportunity though to get this experience even if it’s a couple of hours a week, during school holidays or on the weekend. This experience will be invaluable when it comes time to make a career decision.
By speaking to people in various industries you might get a good idea of the pros and cons of the job. You might look at graphic design, for example, and think it is an exciting career and although there may be job satisfaction within this field, you might not be aware that most graphic designers work a lot of overtime due to the many deadlines. So always speak to people in the industry and find out as much as you can.
What do you love doing? What are you good at? As individuals, we are all unique and were all esigned to do different things, for example fine artists have good spatial perception, a natural understanding of colour and shadows but they might not fully grasp business concepts or financial markets. On the other hand, sculpturing might not come naturally to a financial advisor. It might be a clich̩, but life is too short to get caught up in a career that causes you to resent getting up in the morning Рdo what you love and love what you do!
It is important to keep the bigger picture in mind when considering your options. After many years of studying we tend to get impatient and want to see all the hard work pay off immediately. The reality is that many jobs start off slowly as is the case with an attorney. Not only do they have to study for a number of years, they then need to pass the bar exam and then work as an Article Clerk for a period of time, not quite earning what they might feel they’re worth. Don’t lose focus; see this as a long term investment in your future.
We spend so many hours a day at work and so it is therefore of utmost importance that you find something that you really enjoy doing. Accept where you fit in as an individual by recognizing your limitations and take advantage of every training opportunity to exercise your “work muscles”. By trying out new hobbies, you might discover hidden talents that you were totally unaware of until then. If you are in a position where you dread going to work due to choosing the wrong career, remember that it is never too late to make a change! Make the necessary adjustments in your personal life to accommodate this change and move forward in spite of the fear you may feel!
Whether you are starting out life, in search of career options or considering a career change, a few minutes with a career coach (counsellor) will help direct your focus to options that you have a natural feel for. When making a big decision like this, a family member might not be the right person to take advice from as they usually want their loved ones to play it safe and are comfortable with them not rocking the boat to much. By speaking to someone objective who has the experience to identify your strong points and guide you to the right job will be a valuable investment.
A good way to determine whether you’d like working in a certain environment is to get some experience in that specific field. With some companies one can apply as an apprentice and get paid while you’re learning the trade and some businesses will allow you to gain work experience within their corporation for little or no compensation. Take the opportunity though to get this experience even if it’s a couple of hours a week, during school holidays or on the weekend. This experience will be invaluable when it comes time to make a career decision.
By speaking to people in various industries you might get a good idea of the pros and cons of the job. You might look at graphic design, for example, and think it is an exciting career and although there may be job satisfaction within this field, you might not be aware that most graphic designers work a lot of overtime due to the many deadlines. So always speak to people in the industry and find out as much as you can.
What do you love doing? What are you good at? As individuals, we are all unique and were all esigned to do different things, for example fine artists have good spatial perception, a natural understanding of colour and shadows but they might not fully grasp business concepts or financial markets. On the other hand, sculpturing might not come naturally to a financial advisor. It might be a clich̩, but life is too short to get caught up in a career that causes you to resent getting up in the morning Рdo what you love and love what you do!
It is important to keep the bigger picture in mind when considering your options. After many years of studying we tend to get impatient and want to see all the hard work pay off immediately. The reality is that many jobs start off slowly as is the case with an attorney. Not only do they have to study for a number of years, they then need to pass the bar exam and then work as an Article Clerk for a period of time, not quite earning what they might feel they’re worth. Don’t lose focus; see this as a long term investment in your future.
We spend so many hours a day at work and so it is therefore of utmost importance that you find something that you really enjoy doing. Accept where you fit in as an individual by recognizing your limitations and take advantage of every training opportunity to exercise your “work muscles”. By trying out new hobbies, you might discover hidden talents that you were totally unaware of until then. If you are in a position where you dread going to work due to choosing the wrong career, remember that it is never too late to make a change! Make the necessary adjustments in your personal life to accommodate this change and move forward in spite of the fear you may feel!
The Benefits of short Courses, classes and workshops
As we grow older, our interests change. The good news is that, regardless of your age, motivation or past experience, anybody can follow a short course or attend a workshop to develop a new skill or pursue an interest. By constantly learning new things, we keep growing and through this, we reach our full potential. You might want to do a course in order to learn a new skill for better employment opportunities, to give yourself that competitive edge at work, just for fun or to meet like-minded people.
Kick-start the learning process
How often do you wish that you could do more with your life, change your current situation or learn a certain skill? Short courses are a great way of initiating a learning process - you might plan on doing a short course and find that you absolutely love it and would like to do an in-depth study on this subject, perhaps even change it into a career.
Learn, work and maintain your lifestyle at the same time
A part-time course, class or workshop is the ideal choice for those who would like to study whilst maintaining their career and income. Many will experience that along with a new promotion at work also comes a new set of skills that need to be mastered, and would have to be learnt part-time in combination with their job.
Learn and discover
Not everyone knows what field they want to enter when they start off their career - part-time studying is perfect and might assist you in discovering what it is that you are really interested in, before committing to years of study.
The possibilities are endless
You might decide that it is time to learn a new skill and set off doing a course in flower arranging or cooking, for example. During the duration of your short course you might be pleasantly surprised that your new interest is taking up most of your time and it doesn’t bother you in the least! This could easily develop into a profitable business venture!
Learn, stay young and active
You will never reach a place where you can say that you’ve “arrived”, there is always something new to be learned. Short courses, classes and workshops offer everybody an opportunity to keep their lives interesting and stimulating. Discover a new field of interest and improve your knowledge while making new friends. One definite way of keeping up with the changing times is to ensure that you continually sharpen your skills and acquire new ones as you go.
Networking
Short courses also offer networking opportunities for individuals with similar interests. This is a great way to make new friends or even business contacts. It is wonderful to be able to converse with people who share your passion for a certain interest or industry.
The possibilities are truly endless. Very little in life is sure - the only thing we are really sure of is change, and we need to ensure that we keep up and adapt to these changes. You can have peace in the fact that nobody can ever take your education from you. Learning is a lifelong commitment and investment.
Kick-start the learning process
How often do you wish that you could do more with your life, change your current situation or learn a certain skill? Short courses are a great way of initiating a learning process - you might plan on doing a short course and find that you absolutely love it and would like to do an in-depth study on this subject, perhaps even change it into a career.
Learn, work and maintain your lifestyle at the same time
A part-time course, class or workshop is the ideal choice for those who would like to study whilst maintaining their career and income. Many will experience that along with a new promotion at work also comes a new set of skills that need to be mastered, and would have to be learnt part-time in combination with their job.
Learn and discover
Not everyone knows what field they want to enter when they start off their career - part-time studying is perfect and might assist you in discovering what it is that you are really interested in, before committing to years of study.
The possibilities are endless
You might decide that it is time to learn a new skill and set off doing a course in flower arranging or cooking, for example. During the duration of your short course you might be pleasantly surprised that your new interest is taking up most of your time and it doesn’t bother you in the least! This could easily develop into a profitable business venture!
Learn, stay young and active
You will never reach a place where you can say that you’ve “arrived”, there is always something new to be learned. Short courses, classes and workshops offer everybody an opportunity to keep their lives interesting and stimulating. Discover a new field of interest and improve your knowledge while making new friends. One definite way of keeping up with the changing times is to ensure that you continually sharpen your skills and acquire new ones as you go.
Networking
Short courses also offer networking opportunities for individuals with similar interests. This is a great way to make new friends or even business contacts. It is wonderful to be able to converse with people who share your passion for a certain interest or industry.
The possibilities are truly endless. Very little in life is sure - the only thing we are really sure of is change, and we need to ensure that we keep up and adapt to these changes. You can have peace in the fact that nobody can ever take your education from you. Learning is a lifelong commitment and investment.
Career Spotlight - Interior Design
What is an Interior Designer?
An Interior Designer is the individual who plans and organises the decorating and design of the inside of new and existing buildings. These buildings would include private homes as well as businesses such as hotels, offices and restaurants.
As an Interior Designer, you would be required to meet with clients in order to discuss what their requirements are as well as any specifications or ideas that they have. You will need to come up with a design that caters to your client’s needs as well as the budget that they have specified. Another facet of the Interior Designer’s job would be to provide initial sketches to your client in order for them to get an idea of your design proposal. You will need to advise the client on colour, fabrics and furnishings during the design process as well as calculating costs and preparing estimates of the completed job.
What Skills Do I Need?
An Interior Designer needs to possess a good measure of creativity as well as a thorough knowledge of products, materials and architectural history. You will need to have excellent communication skills as you will be dealing with clients, suppliers as well as contractors. The ability to work out costs and stick to a budget is necessary as well as the ability to draw. You should also possess CAD (computer-aided design) skills. You should have excellent organisational skills as you may very well work on several projects at once. A fair knowledge of building and safety regulations would also benefit an Interior Designer. Lastly, a good knowledge of the latest fashion and industry trends is a must!
What Qualifications Do I Need?
In order to become an Interior Designer, a 3-year Degree in Interior Design would be preferable. There are, of course, shorter, less intense courses available to you. Selecting a course approved by the South African Institute for the Interior Design Profession will definitely work to your advantage. Once you have qualified, you should put together a portfolio of your work, as prospective employers will want to see this.
What are the Working Hours and Conditions Like?
Interior Designers can work in a number of different environments – interior decorating firms, architectural firms, design studios as well as home furnishing stores. The option of self-employment is also available, though both capital and experience are needed for this. Your working hours will sometimes be dictated to by your client’s needs – you might have to meet with them at their homes or offices after-hours or on weekends. Visiting furniture and fabric showrooms to keep abreast of the latest product ranges will also keep you out of your office a fair amount of the time.
Graphic Design In The Spotlight
If you are still at school and starting to consider your future job prospects, or are considering a change in profession, then perhaps the field of Graphic Design might appeal to you. If you are creative and have a good imagination then this might just be the career for you. Possession of good IT skills as well as good spelling and grammar are rather important too.
For a more in-depth look at what it takes to become a Graphic Designer, read the full article on CoolCourses.co.za. Every month we feature a new career, so bookmark the page and keep coming back for new information!
For a more in-depth look at what it takes to become a Graphic Designer, read the full article on CoolCourses.co.za. Every month we feature a new career, so bookmark the page and keep coming back for new information!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
