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As we wind down 2016 with an eye toward 2017 and beyond, I figured it as good as time as any to ponder what kinds of jobs lie ahead in the marketing space which of course is an an ever-shifting field. What is popular right now may be all but irrelevant in a few short months, leading to a fluid, changing landscape that businesses devote significant time and energy to monitoring.
If history holds, and it’s likely to do so, what’s necessary in today’s marketing is likely to change in the future. Keyword stuffing, for example, dove into obsolescence after many years of successful use, and most of the popular strategies of today are likely to do the same.
While there’s no way to truly know what the marketing industry has in store down the road, many industry leaders have a good guess at what’s coming. Here are a few of the marketing jobs of the future:
Chief Experience Officer
Historically, c-level executives have been focused purely on overseeing the top levels of existing departments, like operations, finance, and technology. In the future, however, user experience may become so critical that a special executive position will be required to oversee development and implementation of products, services, and communication.
This role has already popped up in several innovative startups, but the potential for growth is certainly there. In order to make the most of what a customer gains from your company, a different kind of CEO could be necessary.
Augmented Reality Producer
Living in the real world has historically been enough when it comes to marketing, but augmented reality is poised to be among the next big things affecting your marketing efforts.
In many fields, like retail, the market is over-saturated. Traditional marketing methods are getting lost in the fray, leading to dynamic alternate approaches. So far, what’s out there already is performing very well. Customers are engaging with alternative methods of communication, utilizing technology to virtually try on lipsticks or envision home renovations. When you want to stand apart, a technologically-charged stance on reality may be the way to do it.
Lead Data Analyst
Data analysis is a long-standing role within many companies, but it’s one that is more frequently related to financial and business data, not marketing results. However, this may not stay true for long.
As great marketers know, there’s a significant amount of analysis that goes into reading and interpreting marketing data. Soon, this may be enough to make data analysis a must-have within marketing departments, similar to financial analysts in management reporting roles. Simply relying on the basics won’t be enough; as the available information improves, your interpretation methodologies will have to improve, too.
Bot Developer
Bots are already all over the internet, transitioning many basic duties into automated replicas. This technology has stepped into the marketing realm, but it hasn’t gone far: most businesses are limited to chat bots created to connect with customers who visit company websites.
The future, of course, is much more dynamic. Bots hold great potential in where marketing may be headed, in both the desktop and mobile fields. Facebook recently announced a new bot that is designed to facilitate customer interaction, and Microsoft has similar products testing as well. While functionality is still largely limited to chat and personal assistant-type functions, the possibility for future applications is vast. Where mobile apps stand today, bots could stand tomorrow.
No Sure Thing
There’s no true way to determine where the future of marketing is headed, but professionals from many fields are poised and ready to handle what’s on the horizon. This report from Mullin International could even help you get that next job even faster. From further emphasizing user experience to employing more technological twists to your repertoire, the potential for future jobs is wide open. The upcoming developments may feel foreign and unknown, but preparing ahead of time and consistently evaluating the opportunities within your field can make a world of difference.
As a marketing professional, staying on top of the changes in effective digital strategies is never easy. When you want to land a job in a new and diverse field, these five tips can help you get there. No matter what the future may hold, there’s always going to be room in it for bright, focused professionals with a penchant for great ideas and flawless execution.
This article originally appeared on Forbes.
