Graduate Careers

Marketing coordinator

Main tasks
Marketing coordinators promote a company’s products or services, which may entail marketing existing products, developing new products, or developing markets for new products/services. They may perform the following tasks:

• follow trends in consumer markets
• respond to opportunities or threats in the market
• set goals for a product/service’s market share and growth
• develop and implement appropriate marketing strategies to target markets
• research and set appropriate product prices
• make decisions regarding product promotion.

Key skills

• ability to analyse and interpret information
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to work independently or as part of a team
• strong organisational skills.

Salary
According to the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) , the starting salary for marketing graduates is around $40,000. The average salary across this occupation is around $80,000. Senior marketing professionals and those in managerial positions can earn in excess of $150,000.

Employment prospects
According to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (marketing, PR and advertising professionals) are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
Marketing coordinators are often employed by companies that produce good and services; by advertising, promotions, or finance organisations; or in government departments.

Find out more
Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), www.ami.org.au
Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS), www.mrsa.com.au

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Public relations officer

Main tasks
Public relations officers devise, develop and review communication strategies and information that present an organisation to the public or to clients. They may perform the following tasks:

• monitor public opinion about the organisation
• devise and implement communication strategies
• respond to enquiries from the public and other organisations
• respond to media enquiries, arrange interviews, and prepare and distribute press releases
• write speeches, and make public presentations
• organise events, such as open days and exhibitions.

Key skills

• strong verbal and written communication skills
• good organisational skills
• strong interpersonal skills
• ability to work under pressure
• an interest in people.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, the starting salary for public relations officers is around $35,000. Public relations managers typically earn around $65,000. Senior public relations roles can command salaries up to around $150,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (marketing, PR and advertising professionals) are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
Public relations officers are employed in a diverse range of organisations from large commercial companies, government departments, tertiary institutions, and industry associations, to retailers, banks and charities.

Find out more
Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA), www.pria.com.au

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Market researcher

Main tasks
Market researchers gather and analyse information to assist in the marketing of a product or service, and to determine whether demand exists. They may perform the following tasks:

• collect information on product sales
• assess and analyse sales information
• design questionnaires and determine survey audiences
• write reports and present research results
• interpret consumer trends and predict future trends
• identify specific customer markets to suit a particular product/service.

Key skills

• ability to analyse and interpret information and market trends
• strong communication skills
• strong interpersonal skills
• computer literacy.

Salary
According to the Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS) , the starting salary for market researchers is around $45,000. The average salary across this occupation is around $80,000. Senior market researchers and those in managerial positions may earn up to around $200,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for the category to which this occupation belongs (marketing, PR and advertising professionals) are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
Market researchers commonly work for companies that develop and market products and services. They also find employment in radio and TV networks, government organisations, and market research consulting firms.

Find out more
Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), www.ami.org.au
Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS), www.mrsa.com.au

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