If you’re thinking about exploring a certain career path, it’s natural to wonder what types of opportunities are available in your area. After all, you want to have a sense of security that you’ll be able to find a job, especially if you invest the time and effort to develop specific skills, or even pursue a formal education in the field.
Fortunately for many, the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts is home to top employers in various industries, including marketing communications.
Marketing Communications Careers
Before you begin to explore different employers in the areas, it’s also important to understand the different careers available to you within the field of marketing communications. Since the field is so versatile and broadly applicable to all types of organizations, marketing communications professionals often have flexibility when it comes to charting their career paths.
Here are some of the top job titles for marketing communications professionals in the Merrimack Valley, as well as their average earning potential.
- Marketing Communications Specialist, $52,632 average annual salary
- Social Media Specialist, $44,954 average annual salary
- Public Relations Specialist, $49,125 average annual salary
- Customer Relationship Manager, $63,585 average annual salary
- Marketing Coordinator, $44,577 average annual salary
- Marketing Manager, $135,900 average annual salary
In order to earn any of the titles listed above, employer’s typically seek candidates who possess strong written and verbal communication skills, a strategic mindset, and adaptability. A bachelor’s degree in marketing communications or a related field is often preferred for these positions; however, some titles, such as marketing manager, also require several years of experience.
Marketing Communications Salary and Job Outlook
Nationwide, the demand for skilled marketing communications professionals continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of marketing managers is expected to grow six percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average growth for all occupations.
In the Merrimack Valley specifically, the outlook is similarly bright. Even with the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, professionals in the field have been able to maintain job security.
“The current job outlook for marketing communications professionals in the Merrimack Valley is very good. Marketing communications specialists have the ability to work remotely and are often very tech savvy, which has helped many companies—and their employees—survive the pandemic,” says Colleen Malachowski, PhD, Associate Professor for Regis College’s Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications.
“Further, marketing communications professionals are needed in all types of companies, not just communication-specific companies. Thus, I always advise my communication majors to expand their job searches to all types of companies, as the BA in Marketing and Communications provides you with hard and soft skills that can be used in all industries,” Malachowski says.
Malachowski’s advice certainly holds truth— there are opportunities for employment at all types of organizations, from business to healthcare. Not only will this fact allow you to tailor your career to your specific interests, but it also affords more flexibility as you enter the job market. With this sentiment in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 10 top employers for marketing communications professionals in the Merrimack Valley.
Top Marketing Communications Employers in the Merrimack Valley
1. Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon Technologies is a large aerospace and defense company with offices around the country, including in Andover, Billerica, and Tewksbury, MA. Following a recent merger, Raytheon Technologies is made up of several subsidiaries including Collins Aerospace, Pratt and Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence and Space, and Raytheon Missiles and Defense with locations around the globe.
Although the company is quite large, employees tend to enjoy the working environment, earning it high marks on Glassdoor and other job sites. Additionally, employees are offered competitive compensation and benefits, including programs focused on health and wellness, retirement savings, work-life balance, and income protection.
2. Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a large multinational company that provides energy and automation digital solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and sustainability. With offices in Andover, MA, has become a popular workplace for professionals in the Merrimack Valley.
As a whole, the company has been recognized as a great place to work, even earning recognition in Glassdoor’s 2020 Best Places to Work and Forbes’ 2020 Best Employers for Diversity lists, among others. Additionally, Schneider Electric offers opportunities for students and recent graduates including development programs, entry-level roles and internships, and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Schneider Electric’s Andover location hires for a wide variety of roles as positions become available, including those related to marketing communications.
3. Lawrence General Hospital
Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA is another top employer for professionals in the Merrimack Valley— and not just those in healthcare professions. As an organization that is deeply committed to the health of the local community, a wide range of professionals, including those with marketing communications skills, are needed to carry out that mission. Other locations within the hospital network like the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center are also top workplaces.
Employment opportunities at Greater Lawrence Hospital typically offer competitive compensation packages including comprehensive health and dental insurance, tuition reimbursement opportunities, and more.
4. Vicor
Vicor is a power module technology company with more than 1,000 employees in 10 countries, including several locations across the United States. Vicor’s Andover, MA office offers employment opportunities to professionals in the Merrimack Valley.
In addition to being a company culture rooted in innovation, benefits such as tuition reimbursement and college savings plans as well as generous paid time off attract job seekers to Vicor.
5. Hewlett-Packard Enterprise
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), an arm of the company famous for HP computers, is yet another exciting workplace with employment opportunities in Andover. HPE shows its dedication to its employees with competitive base pay and benefits, as well as continuously investing in career development for workers.
HPE offers special early career programs and internships designed to give students working toward their degrees the real-world experience that they need to launch their careers. These programs are segmented by functional areas including career paths in business and consulting, sales and marketing, human resources, and more.
6. The Andover Companies
For job seekers interested in firms that have a local history in the Merrimack Valley, The Andover Companies has been providing insurance services across the northeast for almost 200 years. Headquartered in Andover, the appropriately named entity is comprised of Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Cambridge Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and Bay State Insurance Company.
Corporate responsibility is central to The Andover Companies as demonstrated through a number of green business initiatives and a commitment to corporate wellness. As part of this commitment, the company offers its employees various programs like leadership training, nutrition counseling, and fitness classes.
7. Pfizer
Pfizer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, is another highly sought after workplace in the Merrimack Valley with a campus located in Andover. The company’s mission is driven to discover therapies and significantly improve the health and lives of people everywhere.
Working at a big pharmaceutical company like Pfizer isn’t just for scientists; in order to carry out its mission, the company also seeks top talent in business, marketing, and communications roles. They also aim to help employees reach their career goals through various career growth programs, as well as offering development opportunities for pre-college, undergraduate, and MBA students.
8. Rockvale Communications
While many marketing professionals prefer to work in-house for companies in various industries, there are also opportunities to work at a dedicated marketing communications firm, such as Rockvale Communications.
Located just south of the Merrimack Valley in Burlington, MA, Rockvale Communications is a consulting firm headed by Robert Roberge that strives to help clients reach their marketing, corporate, and technical communications goals. The firm offers services focused on strategic marketing communications, website management, and social media.
9. Carnegie Dartlet
Similar to the structure of Rockvale Communications, Carnegie Dartlet is a consulting firm that provides marketing communications expertise to various clients. Carnegie Dartlet specializes specifically in higher education marketing and offers research, strategy, and creative services to colleges and universities.
Job seekers are drawn to the wide range of work and clients Carnegie Dartlet is involved with. Additionally, the firm offers a flexible work environment and is characterized by a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Starting Your Marketing Career in the Merrimack Valley
It’s clear that there are endless opportunities for marketing communications professionals to work at all kinds of companies from utilities and defense, to technology and insurance, and even dedicated marketing agencies. The key to landing a role at these companies is adequately preparing yourself.
According to Malachowski, “Employers are currently looking for marketing communications professionals to be able to develop digital marketing campaigns and even crisis communication plans. Most importantly, prospective employees should have the ability to adapt to new technologies, especially in this new COVID-19 landscape.”
One of the best ways to develop the specialized skills employers are seeking is to complete your bachelor’s degree in marketing communications or a related field, such as the one offered at Regis College. In an age where the Coronavirus pandemic has redefined the workplace to be highly dynamic and reliant on remote work, online learning can be especially helpful in demonstrating your ability to adapt to change in a fast-paced field. If your college or university offers internships that relate to your degree and eventual career goals, that can also be another excellent way of growing your skills and experience to become more attractive to potential employers.
“The Regis BA in Marketing and Communications prepares graduates to enter the workforce by teaching them transferable skills that can be used in marketing professions across industries,” Malachowski says.
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