Careers in Neuromarketing
Want to start a career in neuromarketing? Good news: jobs in neuromarketing are very diverse! The field of neuromarketing is still developing, so there is no standard neuromarketing career path. In fact, most neuromarketing professionals didn't follow a course in neuromarketing during their academic career.
Where do neuromarketing professionals work?
Neuromarketing professionals work in companies, neuromarketing consultancies, non-profit government instances and research groups.
What qualities do neuromarketing companies look for?
- A strong academic record
- A degree in neuroscience or a related area (however, this is by no means essential, the level of general academic excellence is more important)
- Evidence of relevant work experience. Show that you have worked in a commercial environment in order to obtain the necessary people skills
- Willingness to be hands-on, to work on a range of tasks from running fieldwork to writing final reports
How do you start a career in neuromarketing?
First, increase your knowledge of neuromarketing by studying neuromarketing and reading books and articles on neuromarketing. Second, think about which neuromarketing career path interests you most; a science-based career, a marketing-based career, or a data-focused career? Do you want to work on the provider or client-side?
Science-based career
For a science-based career, start by getting a degree in neuroscience or psychology. Take extra courses on the brain and decision-making, and learn to understand and analyze data. Consider getting a postgraduate degree (a masters and preferably a Ph.D.) in marketing, business, economics or psychology.
Possible job functions: Neuroscientific/Marketing/Neuromarketing Researcher, Head of Research, Clinical Research Assistant, Data Analyst, Eye-tracker Analyst, Data Specialist, Repeating and Improving Research, Customized Client-Based Research
Marketing-based career
Get an undergraduate degree in marketing, advertising or consumer behavior, with psychology or neuroscience courses. Consider getting a masters/Ph.D. in marketing, business, economics or psychology, which will provide a good basis for a scientific marketing career.
Possible job functions: Logistics Manager, Research & Development Coordinator, Consultancy, Product Manager, Marketing and Communication Manager, Advertising Director, Brand Strategist, Media Director, Marketing Relations Coordinator, Public relations Coordinator
Data-focused career
Data-focused careers are essential to scientific and marketing research. Make sure you get at least a masters degree as a data scientist. Try to link this to the brain and decision-making to distinguish yourself.
Possible job functions: Data Analyst, Marketing Research Analyst, Data Focussed Business Analyst, Statistical Analyst, Financial Analyst, Online Marketing Analyst, Product Analyst, Statistician, Predictive Analytics Professional, Web Analyst, HR/people Analyst, Database Analyst
Create your own opportunities
As neuromarketing doesn't have a clear academic path, you may have to create your own opportunities to figure out which career path suits you best. Follow neuromarketing courses if they are available, but don’t let a lack of neuromarketing courses discourage you. If you can't take neuromarketing courses, make sure you take a diverse range of related courses.
Try to get an internship at a neuromarketing provider or client. Go to conferences and try to expand your network in the neuromarketing field. And of course, sign up to the NMSBA as a student, so you are always in the know!