Marketing with Masters in Psychology?

[miciacat]

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I am graduating with a masters in clinical psychology this spring and am interested in expanding into the marketing/advertising world with my degree versus academia. I began my educational path thinking I would go into clinical psychology, and eventually get my PhD in clinical psych. After numerous internships at clinics and RA jobs in university research settings, I have slowly started to become less attracted to the idea of working in these environments, yet I enjoy the process of research and do have strong research skills after many years of psychology education and jobs. I'd like to continue using these skills in a different capacity.

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions/insight of psychologists going into the marketing/advertising world. I am aware that social psychology can play a huge part in the business world, especially when dealing with consumer culture. My background, however, is fairly clinical, but I am very open and interested in expanding beyond clinical.

What are some key factors that marketing/ad firms look for in those with psychology backgrounds? What kind of jobs exist out there for someone like me with a masters in the business world? Would my strong clinical background in psychology hurt me?

Another motivator is money, as well. I know that the current climate is not very forgiving to psychologists when it comes to federally-funded research grants and it would be difficult to rely on that for a living. just from living in NYC I know that advertising/marketing is a huge industry that may lead to very comfortable-earning job.

*ANY* advice at all is VERY helpful!!

 

[mcvcm92]

I am currently interning (not in the Marketing / Ad Sales / Licensing Department) at a large media conglomerate in NYC, so my answers are based on that experience, hope you find it helpful!

1. What are some key factors that marketing/ad firms look for in those with psychology backgrounds? It seems like a lot of these jobs the most important thing is past work experience. For marketing specifically, it will be tough to get a middle or upper management job (even with the Masters) because you don't have much or any marketing experience.
2. What kind of jobs exist out there for someone like me with a masters in the business world? You'd probably have to start at entry-level, unless you were really able to market yourself as more valuable!
3. Would my strong clinical background in psychology hurt me? It isn't hurting you, but I mean it's more helpful to have an MBA or even a Bachelors in Business Administration when going for marketing jobs.
4. Just from living in NYC I know that advertising/marketing is a huge industry that may lead to very comfortable-earning job. (true, but the solid salaries are at middle-management and higher, not entry-level for the most part)

 

[sockit]

Look, I know a guy (admittedly, he's smart and socially gifted) who has no degree at all and is working as a research analyst netting 60k. That's an unusual n of 1, but a BA's all that's required to get an in on junior positions, most of the time, and people with those often work their way up, and get the MBA as they go. Or, people with highly quant-oriented masters (Stats) walk into intermediate roles, often in huge organizations/multinationals.

Emphasize your facility with stats, and maybe start applying for jobs at consultancies (where various social science MAs find happy homes, and they're more likely to understand your research skills), rather than looking for an in-house role. Consultancies with clients in health (government-related) and maybe pharma, might be good bets.

Some places call their research 'ethnography' (can involve covert observation, or fieldwork). Qualitative skills are important there. Also there's always focus groups, if you've done anything like that (group interviewing or facilitation), mention it.

Have a look at the backgrounds of people working in the field (bios on company pages & LinkedIn), for a sense of what you'll need to emphasize.

When you're looking at particular companies, check out their client list, past projects, and methods to see if it might fit.

Another way into business is to get into HR stuff, but it doesn't sound like that would appeal to you.

 

[undecidedman]

Look, I know a guy (admittedly, he's smart and socially gifted) who has no degree at all and is working as a research analyst netting 60k. That's an unusual n of 1, but a BA's all that's required to get an in on junior positions, most of the time, and people with those often work their way up, and get the MBA as they go. Or, people with highly quant-oriented masters (Stats) walk into intermediate roles, often in huge organizations/multinationals.

Emphasize your facility with stats, and maybe start applying for jobs at consultancies (where various social science MAs find happy homes, and they're more likely to understand your research skills), rather than looking for an in-house role. Consultancies with clients in health (government-related) and maybe pharma, might be good bets.

Some places call their research 'ethnography' (can involve covert observation, or fieldwork). Qualitative skills are important there. Also there's always focus groups, if you've done anything like that (group interviewing or facilitation), mention it.

Have a look at the backgrounds of people working in the field (bios on company pages & LinkedIn), for a sense of what you'll need to emphasize.

When you're looking at particular companies, check out their client list, past projects, and methods to see if it might fit.

Another way into business is to get into HR stuff, but it doesn't sound like that would appeal to you.

Do you have any examples of these Consultancies that aren't tied to an University?

 

[sockit]

have a scan for companies like this . They do a lot more than research though - design/human factors stuff, program design/evaluation, even planning.

egs of buzzwords for google: 'consumer insights research'; 'ethnography' was big a while ago (companies favouring this word tend to recruit anthro people mostly, but anyone with good research experience could find a way to make themselves relevant); 'market research consulting' - look at the 'our people' pages on company sites.

edit: it really bothers me that academia traps people into thinking they have to stay in it, or that they have no transferable skills. irresponsible, in this economy.

 

[undecidedman]

have a scan for companies like this . They do a lot more than research though - design/human factors stuff, program design/evaluation, even planning.

egs of buzzwords for google: 'consumer insights research'; 'ethnography' was big a while ago (companies favouring this word tend to recruit anthro people mostly, but anyone with good research experience could find a way to make themselves relevant); 'market research consulting' - look at the 'our people' pages on company sites.

edit: it really bothers me that academia traps people into thinking they have to stay in it, or that they have no transferable skills. irresponsible, in this economy.

thank you. this will be great to look at home. I don't think that my skills aren't transferable as I have experience in project management, data analysis, public speaking, advising students, working in groups, collaboration, etc...i just don't know what private companies or positions look for those things that aren't starting positions. i will search indeed.com for positions in my area and see if I have the skills for them, but nothing really ever pops up. The best I get is data analyst, but they seem to come from the viewpoint of marketing or a statistican. 😳

 

[psychology24]

edit: It really bothers me that academia traps people into thinking they have to stay in it, or that they have no transferable skills. Irresponsible, in this economy.

+1

 

[undecidedman]

+1

Did you get out of academia? How did you do it?

 

[psychology24]

Did you get out of academia? How did you do it?

No, I have not gotten out of academia so I can't really attest to that piece. I was "Liking" the previous post because I agree that many times we think our only option is in academia. I started to looking into consumer psychology a little bit and it's a fascinating field that employs a lot of psychological methods and understanding.. and also has a bit of a higher pay, too