If you want to become a Social Media Manager, you may be curious about what it takes to begin such a career. Free online resources like blog posts and YouTube videos provide varying opinions on what avenue to take, but the reality is that different companies have different requirements. Read on to learn how to grow in this exciting field.

Getting Started

Most people exploring the social media management field understand that they must begin their career with research. They can read up on social media management positions, attend free classes and info sessions at libraries or colleges, and, if possible, interview experienced Social Media Managers.

A social media management career can start from many different entry points. Some professionals go through internships, others take certificate programs, and others change from an existing management career to a social media management role.

If you have industry-specific job experience and want to remain in that industry, consider learning all you can about how Social Media Managers in your field function. However, if you have no experience, your best bet is to decide whether to pursue a career in a particular industry or learn skills applicable across a broad range of fields. Read on to learn more about different career paths in social media management.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Social Media Manager?

Education is essential to many careers, both formal schooling and on-the-job training. Social media management training can include practical experience as well as theoretical training.

Although a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be a standard requirement for some positions, this is not always the case with social media management. Scan online job postings, and you will find some Social Media Manager roles that require an associate degree or do not list any degree whatsoever.

Supervisory positions in well-known companies typically require college degrees, but not as a hard and fast rule before hiring. For example, a company that employs a valued Social Media Strategist might promote them to management or reimburse them for needed schooling before promoting them.

Social Media Managers with degrees often come from communications, journalism, marketing, or public relations backgrounds. Some positions require experience, while salary corresponds to a particular set of skills or industry-specific knowledge in others. However, the lack of a formal degree does not necessarily exclude strong candidates from specific social media management roles. A certificate of completion from a respected course provider can often open the door to a full-time position that includes healthcare benefits and paid time off (PTO).

Internships

For many senior-level college students and recent graduates, an internship is par for the course. A beginner in any field can get relevant on-the-job experience through a paid (or unpaid) internship with an organization that needs social media management.

Like a part-time job, an internship can provide the necessary experience to get hired. An intern gets the chance to put newly learned skills to the test in preparation for the job market. 

If you have no on-the-job experience, consider enrolling in an immersive bootcamp or certificate program that can prepare you for an internship, part-time role, or entry-level social media management position.

This experience can help a future Social Media Manager compose professional-level portfolio projects, gain additional skills, and build relationships with other professionals.

Entry-Level Social Media Manager Jobs

Entry-level Social Media Manager positions are few and far between, but they exist. Examples of entry-level social media management titles include Social Media Strategist, Social Media Specialist, or Junior Social Media Manager. Some, but not all, require a degree.

Responsibilities for entry-level Social Media Manager positions also vary by industry and company. A small organization may hire an individual to manage all their social media platforms. A larger company or agency will require a Social Media Manager to have experience managing a team of specialists or strategists.

Typical responsibilities for a junior or entry-level include developing social media strategies, managing social platforms, and working with a content management system (CMS).

Mid-Level Social Media Manager Jobs

A mid-level Social Media Manager position does not typically have an alternate title. However, a search for these jobs requires weeding out many irrelevant positions. For example, in most instances, a Social Media Manager is not the same as a Marketing Manager. Nonetheless, some companies advertise for a Marketing Manager to handle all marketing roles, including all social media tasks. Not every mid-level Social Media Manager has all the skills and tools to manage digital marketing at that level.

As a result, searching for a mid-level Social Media Manager position can be challenging. A platform like LinkedIn may have a search engine that filters by mid- to senior-level roles, which means skipping over Senior Social Media Manager listings. Responsibilities for mid-level Social Media Managers include creating content for marketing campaigns, handling all social platforms, and collaborating with multiple teams, to name a few.

Senior Social Media Manager Jobs

Social Media Managers with extensive experience may qualify for the Senior Social Media Manager title. While this designation usually applies only to senior management staff who lead a team, there are exceptions. For example, a small organization might hire a Social Media Strategist or Specialist as their de facto Social Media Manager. In this case, the position would require no supervisory experience, and it even makes sense to put Senior Social Media Manager on a resume or CV.

However, most Senior Social Media Managers have a relevant degree, supervisory responsibility, and as many as five to ten years in social media management. They may need substantial industry-specific experience and expertise in all essential social platforms. Consider Senior Social Media Manager a title typically at the peak of a social management career. Variation among alternate titles is rare, though some listings include verbiage like Senior Social Media Strategist or Senior Marketing Manager, Social Media.

Another Path: Freelancing

Freelancing is another way to break into social media management, whether you want to work full-time onsite, part-time, or freelance remotely as a full-time freelancer. 

If you think freelancing might be for you, look for job listings that specify freelance or contract in their ad copy. Some companies prefer to have one or more freelancers under contract, whereas others only hire full-time in-house personnel.

Some advantages of freelancing include flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to work remotely. Built-in challenges are the responsibility of running a company, including finding clients or customers. For more details, check out How to Become a Freelance Social Media Manager.

Learn the Skills to Become a Social Media Manager at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers numerous training options for students to learn social media management in person or online through teleconferencing. Topics include marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics, to name a few. Consider the following programs:

  • Digital Marketing Certificate - Noble’s Digital Marketing Certificate program is Noble Desktop's primary program for students looking to get on the marketing career track. You and your classmates will gain a deep understanding of digital marketing from every angle. Topics include Google Ads and Analytics, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing campaigns, to name a few.
  • Social Media Marketing Certificate - The Social Media Marketing Certificate emphasizes social without delving into SEO or Google Ads/Analytics. This immersive 72-hour certificate covers LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms alongside social media content marketing. Attendees learn hands-on as they create a professional-level portfolio.
  • Google Analytics Bootcamp - The Google Analytics Bootcamp introduces students to GA4, the newest analytics service from the tech giant. Topics include determining key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking ROI (return on investment) on marketing campaigns, and Google Analytics Reports. You can save by taking this bootcamp as part of the Digital Marketing Certificate program.
  • SEO Bootcamp - Also available through the Digital Marketing Certificate, Noble’s SEO Bootcamp is a 12-hour dive into the importance of search engine optimization. You'll learn keyword research techniques with Semrush, SEO for mobile, and numerous other subjects.
  • AI for Marketing - AI For Marketing is one of Noble Desktop’s most popular new courses, covering popular platforms like ChatGPT, Salesforce Einstein, and Google's Gemini AI. Applicants should understand social media marketing, SEO, and analytics before enrolling. You can save by taking AI for Marketing as part of the Generative AI Certificate program.