Employers

Most digital marketing workers are employed by marketing firms that plan and prepare marketing campaigns for their clients on a commission or service fee basis. However, some digital media companies prefer to handle their own marketing.

Starting Out

Digital marketing workers often get their start through internships while in college. Some large marketing agencies recruit college graduates and place them in training programs designed to acquaint beginners with all aspects of marketing work, but these opportunities are limited and highly competitive.

Other ways to start in the digital marketing field include searching the job openings sections of marketing agencies' Web sites and applying directly to companies. Entry-level digital marketing opportunities are also posted on sites such as LinkedIn and on employment Web sites. Digital marketing workers also learn about job openings through professional associations for marketing professionals.

Digital marketing workers with several years of experience advance to more senior roles, assuming more complex responsibilities and overseeing the work of others. They may become managers and department heads. 

Experienced digital marketing workers may eventually establish their own marketing firms or leave full-time employment to work as independent consultants. For these entrepreneurs, advancement may take the form of an increasing number of accounts and/or more prestigious clients.

Keep up with the marketing industry by reading trade publications such as Marketing Land, https://marketingland.com, and the American Marketing Association's Marketing News, https://www.ama.org/marketing-news-home.

Follow digital marketing professionals on social media sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with industry news and digital marketing campaigns.

Search for job listings for digital marketing specialists on Web sites such as https://jobs.ama.org and https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/digital-marketing-jobs.

Attend industry conventions to learn new job skills, network, and interview for jobs.

Participate in internships or part-time jobs that are arranged by your college’s career services office or professional associations.