For graduates who prefer tangible campaigns, in-person promotions, print materials, and customer-facing strategies, the world of direct marketing offers strong opportunities to learn and grow. In this guide, we’ll explore 10 entry-level marketing jobs that are ideal for new graduates. These roles vary in focus, but all fall within the world of traditional marketing, making them excellent stepping stones for careers in sales, advertising, market research, and brand strategy.
1. Marketing Assistant
A marketing assistant is often the starting point for many graduates entering the field. In this role, you’ll support the marketing team with administrative duties, campaign execution, and day-to-day operations. In direct marketing, that could include coordinating mailers, preparing promotional materials, or working with vendors to manage print schedules.
This job is great for someone who wants to learn every aspect of how a campaign comes together. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of marketing tasks while developing organization, communication, and planning skills.
Best for: Generalists who enjoy working behind the scenes and learning the full campaign process.
2. Promotions Coordinator
Promotions coordinators help organize and execute in-person or print-based campaigns designed to promote a product or service. These efforts may include street team promotions, mall or store events, customer contests, or direct mail coupon drives.
You’ll likely work with product samples, coordinate staffing at events, or track promotion metrics. This role is ideal if you enjoy logistics and want hands-on experience in managing consumer-facing projects.
Best for: Graduates who enjoy fast-paced environments, planning events, and working directly with the public.
3. Sales and Marketing Representative
This hybrid role blends the outreach of a salesperson with the strategy of a marketer. You may represent a brand at local events, make outbound calls to leads, or help build targeted contact lists for campaigns. The emphasis is on one-on-one communication and customer relationship building.
Sales and marketing reps are often the face of a campaign, working directly with potential customers. It’s a perfect entry point if you’re confident, persuasive, and enjoy engaging with people.
Best for: Outgoing individuals who want to develop both sales and marketing experience.
4. Print Production Assistant
If you’re interested in the creative and logistical side of direct marketing, consider a role in print production. As an assistant, you’ll support the team responsible for designing, printing, and delivering materials like brochures, catalogs, flyers, and postcards.
You may track print schedules, proofread content, manage vendor relationships, and ensure that materials are delivered on time and within budget. This job will teach you how important physical assets are in a marketing campaign.
Best for: Detail-oriented grads who enjoy working with timelines, budgets, and tangible products.
5. Market Research Coordinator
Market research is the foundation of any effective marketing strategy. In this entry-level position, you’ll help gather, analyze, and interpret data on customer preferences, competitor activity, and campaign performance.
In a direct marketing context, this might mean surveying customers at events, reviewing response rates from mailed campaigns, or conducting phone interviews. Research coordinators play a key role in identifying trends and informing future promotions.
Best for: Analytical thinkers who enjoy uncovering insights and working with data.
6. Customer Retention Specialist
While many marketing jobs focus on acquiring new customers, retention specialists focus on keeping existing ones happy. This often involves managing loyalty programs, sending personalized mailers, or coordinating birthday promotions.
You might work on segmentation strategies or create content for print newsletters aimed at high-value customers. This is a fantastic role for someone who wants to understand the full customer lifecycle.
Best for: Grads interested in long-term brand relationships and customer engagement.
7. Field Marketing Associate
Field marketing associates are responsible for executing campaigns in specific geographic areas. You might represent a brand at trade shows, in retail stores, or at pop-up events. This role includes both setup and customer interaction.
Your job is to bring the campaign to life on the ground. That means ensuring materials arrive, displays look great, and messaging is consistent with brand goals. This hands-on role is one of the most dynamic in direct marketing.
Best for: Active individuals who enjoy being on the move and talking to customers face-to-face.
8. Direct Mail Campaign Coordinator
This role centers around one of the oldest but still highly effective marketing tools: direct mail. As a campaign coordinator, you’ll help plan and execute mail-based promotions. Tasks may include building customer lists, working with printers, tracking delivery dates, and analyzing response rates.
Direct mail campaigns require precision, so attention to detail is key. You’ll also learn how to test offers, choose effective calls-to-action, and track ROI from physical marketing pieces.
Best for: Grads with strong organizational skills who want to work in performance-driven environments.
9. Brand Ambassador
Brand ambassadors are hired to represent a company in a positive and engaging way, usually in person. Whether you’re handing out samples, giving product demos, or working at sponsored events, your job is to build customer trust and drive interest.
Though often part-time, this role offers a front-row seat to how people react to marketing in real time. It’s especially useful if you want to work in promotions, brand strategy, or customer experience later on.
Best for: Energetic grads with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for brand storytelling.
10. Telemarketing Associate
Though sometimes overlooked, telemarketing remains an effective direct marketing tactic, especially in B2B industries or for nonprofits. As a telemarketing associate, you’ll make outbound calls, qualify leads, answer questions, and encourage customers to take a specific action.
This job builds skills in communication, objection handling, and understanding customer motivations, skills that are vital across many marketing roles.
Best for: Those comfortable speaking with customers and motivated by clear performance goals.
Matching Your Personality to the Right Role
There is no one-size-fits-all path when starting out in marketing. The best position depends on your natural strengths, interests, and long-term goals. If you’re an extrovert who thrives in social settings, roles like field marketing associate or brand ambassador might suit you. If you prefer working behind the scenes, print production or campaign coordination might be a better fit.
These entry-level marketing jobs also offer you the chance to try different specialties before deciding which direction to pursue long-term. It’s normal to explore multiple positions before settling into a specific niche.
Building a Career from Entry-Level Experience
Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Each of these roles offers a meaningful experience that can launch your career in traditional marketing. You’ll learn how to plan campaigns, engage with customers, manage deadlines, and track results—all crucial skills as you grow in your profession.
Over time, you may move into roles like Marketing Manager, Promotions Director, or even Marketing Consultant. But it all starts with that first job that teaches you how marketing works in the real world.
If you’re hoping to find a job in marketing, begin by identifying what environment suits you best—do you want to work in an office, in the field, or a combination of both? From there, look for companies or agencies that value hands-on training, offer mentoring, and provide opportunities to grow.
Where to Look for These Jobs
Here are some places to start your job search:
- Local marketing or promotions agencies
- Regional retail companies with in-house marketing teams
- Event management firms
- Direct mail vendors and print shops
- Nonprofits running donor campaigns
- Consumer product companies launching local promotions
Job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor often list jobs for marketing students or recent graduates. Be sure to filter by “entry-level” and use keywords like “promotions,” “direct mail,” “field marketing,” or “telemarketing.”
Networking is also key. Attend job fairs and marketing meetups, or even reach out to alumni who work in the industry. Let them know you’re looking for hands-on, direct marketing experience and are ready to learn.
A Strategic Start to Your Marketing Career
Traditional marketing offers a world of opportunities that are just as valuable and dynamic as digital. From face-to-face events to mailed promotions and customer loyalty campaigns, entry-level marketing jobs in direct channels provide practical, measurable experience that forms the foundation of a strong marketing career.
The most important thing is to start. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to try different roles until you find what fits. Your marketing journey begins with your first step, and one of these ten jobs might be the perfect way to take it.
Midspire creates innovative direct sales and marketing strategies that drive customer engagement and revenue. By focusing on personalized interactions and targeting the right customer segments, we help you build lasting relationships and increase sales. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our marketing services.
