The first thing that you need to be aware of is the fact that in terms of schooling, you are going to need at least a bachelor's degree in marketing or in business administration. Ideally, you will go on and get a master's degree as well. You do not necessarily need a degree in marketing to make it your career. For example, you'll also find that there are plenty of other fields that will allow you to get into marketing and that will have you fairly well prepared. Advertising, general business, or even graphic design can give you the edge that you need. Some people even come into the field with no degree at all, but, with creativity and hard work, manage to secure impressive positions.
When you are thinking about getting involved, don't underestimate what a marketing professional needs to do. It is far from being a glorified sales position, no matter what people might think. As a matter of fact, you will find that you are going to be involved in creating your company's image and making sure that the advertising that is necessary goes up when it should. It is a position that demands a great deal from you, both in terms of creativity and organizational ability, so make sure that you consider what your options are going to be. Remember that you should be flexible, but that you should also know your field inside and out.
When you are thinking about moving forward with a marketing career, you will find that there are many different areas for you to pursue. Some people prefer to work on the advertising end of things, while other people prefer to look into brand marketing, where you take on the responsibility for what kind of image a brand is carrying in the media. You are going to need to be very comfortable talking with people. In some cases, you may even be called upon to speak to the press, though such things are often referred to a public relations person. Take some time and make sure that you know where you stand on this matter and where you want it to go.
What kind of marketing career are you after and where do you want it to take you? Consider what you need and want out of your job and see what your needs might end up being. Marketing has a lot of promise, particularly in the years to come, so check out what your options might be.