How Can an Online Marketing Degree Boost My Career Prospects?

This is where you can take full control of your learning. Whether you aspire to climb the career ladder in your current company, or find new opportunities elsewhere, the modules you choose to study in your online marketing degree can help you get where you want to be.

You won’t be left out of practical and interactive experiences either, as students will have the “ability to apply and embed new learnings from the degree in the context of real challenges and opportunities in the workplace,” said Willmott.

An increasing number of online degrees – such as Imperial’s online MSc in Strategic Marketing – also offer work-based projects. Students will be able to carry out this project for their current organization or as a consultant for an individual company as they work on a real marketing project from start to finish, drawing on the skills and knowledge developed throughout the degree.

Although you may not collaborate with your peers and professors face-to-face, this doesn’t mean your networking skills can take a back seat. It may be daunting, but it’s usually a classic case of the sooner you do it, the easier it’ll get, and the quicker the chances of new and exciting opportunities that’ll come knocking.

Not forgetting as well your university or business school’s career services team. Even if you’re studying your degree online, students at Imperial College Business School can still access one-to-one careers support.

“One of the really incredible thing about the Careers Service provision for online students is that they have unlimited access to a Careers Consultant,” said Sarah Ranchev-Hale, Director of Employer Relations at Imperial.

“Let’s say you have an online student who’s interested in working in the technology sector. They could connect with the Careers Consultant who looks after technology and really delve deep into what they might be missing to get into the career of choice they’re hoping for. There’s a really great opportunity there for the student to drive how they access that service, and make sure it helps them get the job that they’re looking for,” she added. 

In the same FutureLearn Employer Survey 2018, 73 percent of recruiters considered "online courses valuable when considering the promotion of an existing employee".

There’s no doubt studying an online degree while balancing your job and/or family has its challenges. But it does also offer “greater flexibility to study when it suits you and manage other commitments,” said Willmott.

In an industry that’s as lucrative and competitive as marketing is, you’re going to want to stand out from the crowd as much as possible. An online degree can do just that, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the industry.

“I would be extremely interested in seeing more students complete an online degree, it provides students with the flexibility to study while building practical experience and contributing to group project work,” said Bevis.

“It will provide an opportunity to showcase their passion and engagement for marketing, but the course could be very versatile for a career in a number of different industries and organizations.”