The world looks a lot different today than it did just ten years ago — and social media gets most of the credit. No matter your opinion of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, it's impossible to deny that these platforms have largely shaped the modern digital sphere.

The social media and digital marketing industry is never at a standstill. With the constant changing of technology and online media, the demand for professionals who are specialized in the digital space continues to rise.

During a recent panel discussion at the Johnson & Wales University Providence campus, four digital marketing professionals (and JWU alumni) shared their professional takeaways, including career tips for how a student can succeed in his or her desired industry.

If you’re interested in a well-paying career that lets you dive deep into the secrets of a company, consider a degree in marketing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a marketing manager in 2017 topped more than $132,000--but that’s not the only great thing about pursuing a career in this field.  

Despite Twitter’s recent crackdown of fake user accounts and the millions of followers that were lost as a result, popstar Katy Perry remains the most followed person on the network.

Have you considered how much television you’ve watched recently? Sure, you might not be sitting down on the couch with the remote control, but you’re more than likely still consuming videos digitally.

In recent years, digital alternatives to traditional TV have become increasingly popular. Between streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and social networks like Facebook and YouTube, consumers have so many options for how they watch original content.

What’s the biggest skills gap for present-day advertising and marketing professionals? According to Johnson & Wales advertising and marketing communications professor Oscar Chilabato, it is digital marketing.

“The number one void for companies right now, in terms of their marketing and communications departments’ efforts, has been in the digital space,” he said. “Most companies, I would say probably one-third of all companies, are understaffed and underserviced in that space.”

With the marketing industry turning more towards digital day by day, Johnson & Wales University has taken the initiative to make sure students are well prepared for changing business needs that demand smart, savvy, and skilled social media managers. The JWU Online BS – Digital Marketing & Social Media bachelor’s degree program was designed through the collaboration of the College of Engineering & Design and the College of Business to bring the necessary technological skills into the business and marketing industries.

Do you find that your Instagram feed gets clogged up with posts that you don’t always want to see? Maybe it’s an overzealous family member (we all have one!) or a brand that you love that just posts A LOT of content. Up until now, you really only had two options: either unfollow them or deal with their posts.

But this is 2018, and there’s a new solution: the mute button.

Johnson & Wales University Associate Professor Oscar Chilabato will be honored at ADMERICA, the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) national conference, for his 20 years of advertising education excellence. On June 9, 2018, the AAF will award Chilabato with the 2018 Distinguished Advertising Educator Award at the Hilton Chicago.

In the ever-changing industry that is advertising and marketing, the need for knowledgeable and creative employees is predicted to grow 10% over the next decade.