Why Digital Marketing
This program helps students learn how to create high-quality content and use effective online marketing strategies, including SEO and social media. To succeed, students need a solid understanding of web development, strong content creation skills, and a good grasp of business principles. Taking a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree route to enter the field is a practical option and a strategic investment in your future.
* The AAS Degree in Digital Marketing provides a transfer into Highline College’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity and BAS programs available at other colleges or Central Washington University’s (Des Moines campus) BAS ITAM (BAS in Information Technology and Administrative Management).
Please look at the Computer Science Transfer degrees if you want to transfer to a four-year university.
START HERE, STAY HERE!
The AAS in Web Development transfers into the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Highline College, opening doors for promotion, increased salary, and enhanced creative design.
CAREER OUTLOOK:
Digital marketing is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing career fields today. With businesses continuously shifting their strategies to accommodate the digital revolution, opportunities in digital marketing are expanding like never before. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just entering the job market, it’s worth exploring the future potential this field holds.
Why Digital Marketing is Thriving
The increasing reliance on digital platforms for building brand presence, advertising products, and engaging with customers has made digital marketing an essential business function regardless of industry.
Key drivers of growth include:
- E-commerce Boom: Online shopping is projected to grow even further, fueling demand for marketers who can boost visibility and conversions.
- Mobile Usage Increase: Over 55% of global website traffic comes from mobile devices, making mobile marketing a top priority.
- Need for Personalization: Consumers now expect personalized experiences, driving the need for skilled marketers who can analyze data and create targeted campaigns.
- Emergence of New Channels: Trends like influencer marketing and strategies on newer platforms like TikTok are creating fresh opportunities.
PAY:
The average annual salary for a Digital Marketer in the United States is around $77,381, with a range from $77,250 to $159,660. Entry-level positions can start around $25.46 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn significantly more.
Reference: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
SAMPLE CAREERS INCLUDE:
SEO Specialist
Companies increasingly need experts to improve search engine rankings and optimize organic traffic. Demand for SEO specialists is expected to grow as search algorithms evolve.
Key Skills: Keyword research, on-page/off-page optimization, and analytical tools.
Content Marketing Manager
Content continues to reign as king in digital strategies. Skilled professionals who can create engaging written and visual materials, craft strategies, and measure their impact are highly sought after.
Key Skills: Writing, editing, SEO, storytelling, and audience analytics.
Social Media Manager
With platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok integral to branding efforts, social media managers are essential to maintaining a consistent presence.
Key Skills: Platform expertise, creativity, paid ads management, and trend analysis.
PPC Specialist
Paid advertising specialists drive immediate results for businesses through platforms like Google Ads or Meta Ads Manager. This role is crucial for improving ROI on ad spend.
Key Skills: Ad targeting, A/B testing, and budgeting.
Email Marketing Specialist
Email marketing continues to deliver one of the highest returns on investment compared to other channels. Specialists in this field are valued for creating compelling campaigns that nurture leads and drive sales.
Key Skills: Email automation tools, segmentation, and copywriting.
Influencer Marketing Manager
This relatively new role is gaining traction as influencer collaborations drive significant engagement and revenue for brands.
Key Skills: Networking, negotiation, and tracking collaboration metrics.
UX/UI Specialist with Marketing Expertise
Marketers with user experience and design knowledge bridge the gap between creatives and hard technology, ensuring campaigns are both visually appealing and user-friendly.
Key Skills: Wireframing, design principles, and conversion rate optimization.
PROGRAM COST:
Two years for full time students, however students may also attend part-time which takes longer. Courses are offered in-person, online, virtually, and in f lexible modalities.
PROGRAM LENGTH:
Two years for full time students, however students may also attend part-time which takes longer. Courses are offered in-person, online, virtually, and in f lexible modalities.
Contact Rav Kang
Web & Computer Science
Office: Building 29 Room 247
Office Hours
Phone: (206) 592-3337
Email: rkang@highline.edu
The job market in Seattle for web developers is rewarding and thriving. Web development jobs are real from small businesses and companies like Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon!
As a graduate of Highline College, you will be fully prepared to fill new jobs in web development.
I started the AAS in Web Development at Highline College because I wanted to get skills to get a job. I was surprised to get more than that. I met professors that were really passionate about their student’s success. This led to very interactive and meaningful classes that taught me how to apply the best practices to my job. Soon after I started the program, I found a job as a programmer thanks to the referral by one of my professors who saw my commitment to learn and achieve more every day. While working, I realized how important every lesson was. I also became part of Washington MESA, and they gave me the chance to participate in a career fair sponsored by the SHPE were I could to introduce myself to many representatives of Fortune 500 companies that attended. Currently, I work as a Software Engineer at Microsoft where I continue to apply the valuable knowledge I acquired at Highline College, the institution where I first learned how to program and to which I will always be grateful for being a key part of my journey.”
Dixon Mejia Piters
Sherzod Kutfiddinov
“I came to Highline Community College as an international student with the love of Computer Science. I started out my first quarter in 2010 with Java and web development and was amazed at how cool these classes are. Classes were interesting and assignments, although challenging, were very useful and practical. Fast-forward 2 years later, I was already getting my Associates Degree in Computer Science, but that piece of paper is nothing comparing to all the knowledge I got from all of these classes. Right before graduation, I found an internship – building a social networking site. After 6 months of doing internships, I was hired as a Software Engineer at Airbiquity Inc., which focuses on developing software for vehicles. Since then, I’ve been working with great companies like Nissan, Ford, Bosch, Panasonic, and more. Talk about a dream job.”
Sherzod Kutfiddinov
Software Engineer
Brian Steadman
“The Highline Community College Computer Science program helped me learn the basics I needed to succeed in the field of Computer Science. The skills I learned taking courses at HCC have helped me get job offers at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. When I graduated HCC and transferred to the University of Washington, I found that what I had learned at HCC had more than prepared me for their computer science program. The small course sizes and affordable tuition really allowed me to focus on the material I needed to succeed later in my career.”
~Brian Steadman, Software Engineer
Paul Scherer at Amazon
I hope this message finds you well and that classes are going smoothly for you. I wanted to share with you some exciting news with 
you that you can pass along to your current Cisco Net Acad students that would give them real expectations for what kind of career options are available to them when they complete Cisco Net Acad under your instruction.
BAS Cybersecurity
Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Forensics expands on Highline's already strong Computer Science and Computer Information Systems Department.
Professional/Technical
The CS/CIS department at Highline College offers a range of professional/technical programs, ranging from Web Development to Network Engineer, and more.
Transfer to a 4-year school
Transfer to a 4-year school by completing a 2 year AA or AS in Computer Science. Benefits to a large institute include smaller classes and cost!
Continuing Education
Are you looking to further your existing skills? The CS/CIS department offer a range of short certificates that will provide you the skills to enhance your career.