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With 4.76 billion active users, social media is here to stay. That also means there’s a market for professionals who develop social media campaigns, create graphics and videos, write content, build online communities, and more.

A recent report by McKinley revealed that over half of all marketing hires are now digital specialists, with content and digital advertising topping the list of specialties desired by employers. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, industry demand for public relations specialists—which includes social media experts—is projected to increase 11 percent from 2020 to 2030.

In an effort to meet these workforce needs, Raritan Valley Community College is introducing a new social media marketing certification program. Read on to learn more!

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing is a form of digital marketing that uses popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with audiences and promote products and services. It’s a crucial tool for building brands, raising awareness, driving traffic, generating sales, and forming customer relationships.

Social media specialists typically possess both creative and technical skills along with a flair for marketing and an eye for trends.

About RVCC’s Social Media Specialist Certificate

RVCC’s social media marketing program is a three-semester program intended for traditional-age college students, as well as those returning to the workforce or current workers looking to upskill in their field. The program officially launches in Fall 2023, but students are encouraged to get a head start now by taking the required English Composition class at RVCC this summer. Check out RVCC' summer schedule here.

By earning a Social Media Specialist Certificate at RVCC, students will be prepared for employment in entry-level social media marketing positions. The program includes marketing classes such as Social Media Theory, Writing for the Media, Principles of Marketing, Social Media Production, and more. Previous experience using social media is suggested before enrolling in the program, but it is not required.

Students may also consider enrolling in the Social Media Specialist Certificate program as a stackable credential to add to their skillset and increase their marketability to employers.

This certification pairs well with associate degree programs in RVCC’s Communication and Media pathway—including Communication Studies, Digital Media/Film Studies, and English. It also works well alongside RVCC’s Digital Video Production certificate.

The Power of Social Media

Need further proof that social media is a smart career choice in today’s business landscape? These statistics reinforce why more and more students are pursuing social media and digital marketing certification programs.

• 69% of the most successful businesses plan to increase their content marketing budgets in 2023 (Source: Semrush, 2023).
• 75% of marketers agree that social media marketing has driven an increase in traffic (Source: Search Logistics).
• On average, businesses post 11 times per day across all of their social media channels (Source: Sprout Social, 2022).
• Sales via social media are expected to reach almost $1.3 billion in 2023 (Statista, 2023).  
• Social media ad video spending is predicted to increase by 15.8% in 2023 (Source: Insider Intelligence, 2022). 
• Among marketers, 66% are using social media to generate leads (Source: G2).

Speaking of social media, be sure to follow RVCC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all the latest news and happenings.

To learn more about the new Social Media Specialist Certificate, email Sara Banfield, RVCC Professor of Communication Studies, at sara.banfield@raritanval.edu. For additional information, contact Admissions at 908-526-1200 (Select Option 2) or admissions@raritanval.edu.

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About RVCC

Searching for “colleges near me” can yield an overwhelming number of results—making it hard to determine which schools are best for you. Rest assured that Raritan Valley Community College is a smart choice. RVCC is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by both WalletHub and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs along with affordable tuition, small class sizes, and a vibrant campus life. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information on The College, visit www.raritanval.edu.