To work as an advertising manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Most advertising managers have a bachelor's degree. Your degree does not need to be in advertising or marketing for you to enter this occupation. Many advertising managers have a liberal arts background. For example, they might have majored in sociology, psychology, or literature.

Regardless of your major, you should take specific courses during college to prepare for this occupation. These courses include marketing, consumer behavior, and market research. Additional courses are sales and communication methods. You should also take visual arts courses, such as art history and photography. Finally, you should take courses in a language other than English. Being able to communicate in several languages is becoming more important in this occupation.

Work experience

An internship with a large company while in college can provide you with valuable experience and contacts.

This is not an entry-level job, so you need some experience. Many managers are former sales representatives, purchasing agents, buyers, or product, advertising, promotions, or public relations specialists.

On-the-job training

The length of on-the-job training varies by employer and industry. The majority of advertising managers receive at least one month of training. Many others receive up to one year of training.