I am a small business owner who does SEO for my own web site.

I have a young friend (and summer employee) who has expressed a strong interest in SEO related work and possible careers. He has strong writing skills, picks up SEO concepts quickly, and has a BS in Business Management.

He has been accepted for a Masters program in GIS at a respected university but is having second thoughts. Does anyone have any guidance to pass alone about SEO, SEM, Web page design, etc. related career opportunities, career paths, and education opportunities (advanced degree or technical coursework)?

my opinion

If he has a BS in business management, he would be better of persuing that, it would be a much more stable career, offer better opportunities and be it will be more financially rewarding that working as a SEO specialist. These positions are typically not management positions. Why be an indian when you can be the chief.

Now, that said, if he were to approach SEO education as a way to enhance his knowledge base for getting future business management opportunities, he would be better off.

it sure would be nice to work for someone who understands what the $&&$ I'm talking about for once. LOL

i remember some spammer here saying recently how he was a certified SEO guy, hehe i think SEO is more of a practical profession but i seen places who have a position open for a SEO guy that they sometimes ask for a business BS, in my opinion knowing html and some scripting language is a great plus too or a BS in marketing

I have a BA in Buisiness Administration and love working in online marketing, doing SEO, PPC, analytics, etc.

If he wants to specialise in SEO, then he may want to join an SEO agency, but the starting salary would be low. To get into an SEO management position he would need a couple of years SEO experience first.

He could also build a site or two and see how that ranks over time. It would be good and practical experience.

I don't see why he can't do both. Learning SEO as a business doesnot need set hours, and doing both in parallel would keep his options open for the future.

I agree that having both skills in his back pocket can only be a good thing.

And he'd probably be a fool to turn down the chance of a quality masters on "get rich quick" dreams - them days are gorn forever.