Choosing a career path is like picking a seat on a long road trip—some spots give you a better view, others are more comfortable, but ultimately, you want the one that lets you enjoy the journey and gets you where you need to go.
If you’re a young Nigerian entering the tech or go-to-market (GTM) field, you’ve likely come across career options like sales, marketing, customer success and revenue operations. And while they may sound similar, each path has unique opportunities that suit different skills, interests, and personality types.
Imagine navigating a tech career where your skills are in demand across industries, from fintech to healthcare and even entertainment. Sounds exciting, right? For young Nigerians eager to break into the tech scene, Go-to-Market (GTM) roles offer some of the most dynamic career paths— Whether you’re inclined towards sales, drawn to marketing, inspired by customer success, or intrigued by revenue operations.
But picking the right path isn’t always easy, especially with new, emerging roles popping up across sectors.
This blog post breaks down the differences between these roles, showing you how each path offers its own exciting challenges, rewards and also helps you to pick the one that aligns best with your ambitions and strengths. And hey, if you’re still uncertain or eager to start, here’s why GTM roles might be the perfect fit for you.
Sales: Building Trust Through Problem-Solving
Sales is more than just convincing someone to buy a product—it’s about earning trust by understanding customer needs and building relationships. Sales roles are highly relevant in any industry, from tech startups to large corporations.
For young professionals, the best part about starting in sales is learning essential skills that transfer across roles, such as communication, negotiation, and empathy.
Industries like SaaS (Software as a Service) and fintech are shifting towards strategic and consultative sales, where professionals establish trust, build long-term relationships and focus on consistently adding value.
As a sales professional, you’re the bridge between innovative products and the customers who need them. From tech startups to global enterprises, sales roles offer:
- Lucrative commission structures
- Rapid career progression
- Opportunities to develop excellent communication skills
Common Roles: Sales Development Representatives (SDRs), Account Executives, Sales Managers, and Growth Associates.
Emerging Roles: Customer Acquisition Specialists in e-commerce, SaaS Solution Sales Reps
Industries Benefiting: SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, and health tech
Marketing: Crafting Stories That Sell
Marketing is storytelling with a purpose. In today’s digital age, marketers are digital architects who design compelling narratives that capture attention and drive action.
Marketing is where creativity meets strategy. Whether it’s through social media, content, or advertising, marketers create campaigns that attract and retain customers. Imagine being the one behind viral campaigns that make people say, “Did you see that?”
Marketing offers roles that range from classic content creation to cutting-edge growth marketing. In recent years, industries like edtech and online entertainment have started to invest heavily in growth marketing—a data-driven approach that combines marketing and product insights to accelerate customer acquisition and engagement.
For those inclined towards storytelling and analytics, marketing provides an exciting mix of creative and analytical work. Key attractions include:
- Creative problem-solving
- Diverse specialisations (digital marketing, content marketing, brand strategy)
- High demand across industries
Common Roles: Digital Marketer, Content Specialist, Social Media Manager, Content Marketer.
Emerging Roles: Growth Marketer, Community Manager in online platforms, Influencer Partnerships Manager
Industries Benefiting: Edtech, fintech, entertainment, and fashion.
Customer Success: The Relationship Builders
Customer success is where empathy meets strategy. These professionals ensure customers not just buy a product, but become its biggest advocates.
If you enjoy helping people and building long-term relationships, customer success could be your calling. In this role, you focus on ensuring customers get the most value from a product or service, which requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
As companies focus on customer retention, customer success is quickly becoming a key role in tech. Highlights of this role include:
- Direct impact on company growth
- Continuous learning opportunities
- Blend of technical and interpersonal skills
Common Roles: Customer Success Representative.
Emerging Roles: Retention Specialist in subscription-based businesses
Industries Benefiting: SaaS, fintech, edtech, and e-commerce
Revenue Operations: The Strategic Backbone
Revenue Operations, also known as “RevOps,” is an emerging powerhouse in the GTM field. It is focused on aligning sales, marketing, and customer success teams to streamline processes and drive revenue. This is becoming especially popular in sectors with high-volume sales cycles, like SaaS and e-commerce.
This role is perfect for individuals with a knack for strategy and data-driven insights, allowing businesses to create a seamless customer experience and accelerate growth.
Revenue operations (RevOps) is the behind-the-scenes magic, and it’s perfect for analytical minds who love connecting the dots and driving efficiency. If you’re organised and like managing processes, operations can be incredibly rewarding. It’s also a great place to learn about different parts of a business.
Benefits include:
- High-demand technical skills
- Strategic decision-making opportunities
- Competitive compensation
Common Roles: Operations Coordinator, Process Manager
Emerging Roles: Revenue Operations Analyst, GTM Operations Specialist
Industries Benefiting: SaaS, e-commerce, and health tech
Your Journey Starts Now
Navigating career paths can be tricky, but finding the right fit can set you up for a fulfilling journey. Whether you choose sales, marketing, customer success, or revenue operations, each path offers unique challenges and rewards that can transform a company and drive personal growth, and the best part? You’re not limited to one track.
So, take the leap! Join the Revsity GTM Community—a vibrant Slack network where professionals share insights, job opportunities, resources, and training to make your career thrive.
Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or a young professional looking to pivot, there’s a place for you here. With the right guidance, you’re well on your way to excelling in the industry and role that suits you best!
