High School

If you are considering a career in digital advertising, pursue a general high school curriculum that is college preparatory. Make sure you enroll in advertising, business, and computer science courses. Art and design classes are also helpful. You should also take courses that develop your analytical and problem-solving skills such as mathematics (including algebra and geometry), psychology, sociology, and sciences (including chemistry and physics). Take English courses to develop the research and communication skills you’ll need for this profession. Learn about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and especially how they are being used in the advertising and marketing sectors.

Postsecondary Education

While a bachelors degree may not be necessary to gain entry into this field, you will find it easier to get the best jobs and advance if you have one. Some people enter the field with computer- or e-commerce-related degrees; others have traditional liberal arts, advertising, or business backgrounds that include studies in computer and information science. No matter what your major, take plenty of computer classes, participate in at least one internship, and spend a lot of time on the Web.

Certification

Colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in advertising, digital advertising, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats.

Other Education or Training

The American Association of Advertising Agencies offers the Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies, multi-week courses that teach advertising professionals about topics such as positioning and branding, team building, the media landscape, creative brief writing and creative development, and presentation skills. Find information at https://www.aaaa.org/4as-institute-of-advanced-advertising-studies. The association also offers executive workshops, professional development seminars, and webinars that cover topics such as account management, presentation skills, strategic planning, new technologies, and other critical skills.

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for digital advertising workers.

Any experience working with digital advertising campaigns, as well as the completion of at least one college internship, will be useful for those aspiring to careers in this field.

To be a successful in digital advertising, you must be a lifelong learner. You should have the desire and initiative to keep up on new technology, social and digital media, software, and hardware, as well as new advertising techniques. You must also have strong communication skills, including being a good listener. Creativity and an eye for digital design are also desirable. Advertising workers deal with many different people in various lines of work, so you must be flexible and have good interpersonal skills. You should be self-motivated and have the ability to work alone as well as with groups. You also need to have the patience and perseverance to see projects through.