<p>qwertip, while I agree that calculus is not part of your day to day activities as an assistant brand manager at P&G (not my career, but I’m speaking as someone with actual knowledge here), calculus is not part of the day to day activities in too many professions. That said, there are plenty of people who believe strongly that learning and understanding calculus is a fabulous way to develop and/or enhance an analytical mind. An analytical mind is an important prerequisite for success in brand marketing.</p>
<p>To be good at what you do in brand marketing, you need to know a lot more than simple algebra. When working on a product launch, for example, you are in constant and close contact with the finance department, and yes, it absolutely helps to be conversant and knowledgable about accounting and other financial measures. You may be called upon to develop models and financial forecasts that require knowledge of accounting, as well as finance concepts like NPV, IRR and the discount rate. Budgeting for domestic and international brand management may absolutely be part of your role, so you had better understand the rise and fall of interest rates, changing exchange rates and yes, more touchy-feely concepts like cultural norms around the world. You also need to develop the ability to apply financial concepts to psychological and other sociological information, such as, for example, the effects that couponing or advertising in certain media have on a brand. Marketing professionals at P&G must understand all of these math-based concepts incredibly well in order to do their jobs effectively.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you certainly need leadership ability and good judgment, adaptability and a willingness to take risks, as you suggested, in addition to a thorough knowledge, understanding and ability to use and manipulate mathematical, accounting and financial concepts in order to be successful in what is an incredibly competitive job even once you are on the inside.</p>