So the real issue isn't whether a marketing person should come from sales - it's whether the marketing person understands that their job is to actually help sell things. My definition of marketing is "profitably solving customer problems" so - baked in there - is understanding the customer and getting paid. The worst marketing people are those who feel very removed from the fact of the sale. Said another way, the best marketing people are those who understand their customers, do everything to deliver a product, package, price and promotion designed around them - and feel great driving revenue. Someone saying yes by buying is the ultimate validation of good marketing.

Marketing isn't simply an activity. It is part of driving to an outcome and that outcome is a sale.

Most marketing people I know didn't start their career in sales, so I disagree with the premise of the question. :-)

Obviously marketing feeds sales -- whether "sales" are human beings or self-service -- so it's helpful to know what "sales" means. But a career is not at all needed.

I have seen great marketers come from product and technology. Completely agree with Jason about the faulty premise of this equation.

Agree with Jason. The premise of this question is flawed. Marketing is multi-faceted and I've seen successful and amazing marketers come out of lots of different disciplines with varied backgrounds.

It is not necessary that a marketing person must start his career with sales only:
1. Choose your field: This is common sense, so do not rank some over others simply because one marketing job salary or the service fee is higher than the other. From my own perspective I see a rising demand for User Experience Optimizer/Analyst in the field of marketing. If you still seem confused by all this, then take this quiz to find out a bit about yourself and see what we think should be your marketing career path.
2. Research job requirements: You want to do some research on companies and what skills specifically are required for certain marketing positions. If you choose your field and you are committed on that, then find job posts that are to the point and does not require things that does not seem like should be your responsibilities.
3. Get some courses: Once you know what skills and experience is required you can go ahead and get some courses online. There are several entry-level marketing courses you can get for free.
4. Attend networking events: To become a successful marketer, you need to grow your contact base. Well, among other things, they attend networking events.
5. Get some coaching: Frankly, marketing is a lot about people and trust. People, and marketers especially, are drawn to other people who are ambitious and goal oriented. “How are you planning to do that?”, “Where are you applying?”, “What position do you have in mind?” are the questions flying at you. And marketers sure like to teach other people.
6. Start your own blog or vlog: Marketers are social beings. Now that you have you been more than equipped to start your own blog. For sure there are hundreds and thousands of blogs in every marketing niche and you as a novice marketer cannot match up with these superstars. If you have exceptional writing skills, you might even end up as a professional blogger and say no to whatever marketing job is offered to you.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath