Marketing

Career Areas

• Industrial Sales
• Wholesale Sales
• Direct Marketing
• Consumer Product Sales
• Financial Services Sales
• Services Sales
• Advertising Sales
• E-commerce
• Sales Management:
  • District, Regional, and Higher
• Promotion:
  • Consumer
  • Trade
  • Sales Force
• Customer Service

Employers

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations
• Product and service organizations
• Manufacturers
• Financial companies
• Insurance companies
• Print and electronic media outlets
• Software and technology companies
• Internet companies
• Consulting firms

General Information

• Obtain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
• Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
• Work for the campus newspaper, directory, or radio station selling advertisements.
• Become highly motivated and well-organized.
• Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
• To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy.
• Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
• Be prepared to work independently and to be self-motivated. Plan to work irregular and/or long hours.
• Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Take additional courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
• Develop strong persuasion skills and learn how to build relationships.
• Some areas of sales, such as pharmaceuticals, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting a job in pharmaceuticals.

Employers

• Consumer products corporations
• Some service providers
• Some industrial goods

General Information

• Plan on pursuing an MBA for most brand or product management positions.
• Demonstrate the following characteristics: entrepreneurship, results orientation, and creativity.
• Develop strong interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills. Learn to work well on cross-functional teams.
• Obtain a broad background in advertising, research, consumer behavior, and strategy.

Career Areas

• Data Collection:
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Field Service
• Data Analysis
• Management

Employers

• Large corporations
• Marketing research firms
• Public institutions concerning health, education, and transportation
• Management consulting firms
• Advertising agencies
• Manufacturers
• Retailers
• Trade and industry associations
• Government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations

General Information

• Develop good interpersonal skills and effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are critical.
• Build a solid background in statistics, mathematics, and behavioral science.
• Learn how to use databases and other marketing-relevant software programs.
• Get involved with a professor's research project or pursue an independent study to learn about the research process.
• Gain experience with data entry or interviewing through part-time jobs or internships.
• Plan on obtaining an advanced degree in business or statistics to qualify for more positions. Graduates with bachelor's degrees may qualify for entry-level positions such as junior or associate analysts.

Career Areas

• Buying/Merchandising
• Store Management
• Sales Management

Employers

• Special merchandisers:
  • Single-line stores
  • Limited-line stores
  • Specialty stores
• General merchandisers:
  • Department stores
  • Variety stores
• Mass merchandisers:
  • Discount stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Superstores
  • Warehouse stores

General Information

• Obtain retail experience through summer, part-time, or internship positions.
• Present a consistent, pleasant, and service-oriented image to customers.
• Develop leadership ability and customer service skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work well under stressful conditions and as part of a team.
• Gain knowledge of the process of merchandise flow, an overview of signing, pricing, and presentation, and the ability to plan, organize, and lead.
• Develop ability to communicate in a concise manner.
• Be prepared to start as a management trainee before advancing to other positions.
• Plan to work long and irregular hours, particularly during the holiday season.
• When working for large chains, be willing to relocate to advance your career.

Career Areas

• Purchasing
• Buying
• Management

Employers

• Local, state, and federal government
• Large corporations
• Educational institutions
• Hospitals

General Information

• Obtain excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Develop strong computer and technology skills.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in logistics and purchasing.
• For federal government positions, become familiar with the federal application process.
• Maintain a high grade point average and plan to complete an internship.

Career Areas

• Commercial Banking
• Retail/Consumer Banking
• Credit Analysis
• Lending
• Trust Services
• Mortgage Loans
• Branch Management
• Operations

Employers

• Commercial banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loan associations
• Savings banks
• Financial services institutions

General Information

• Develop good analytical skills and sales ability.
• Supplement curriculum with additional courses in finance and accounting.
• Obtain part-time employment or internship in a bank.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
• Earn an MBA to qualify for positions in investment banking.

Career Areas

• Claims
• Underwriting
• Risk Management
• Sales
• Loss Control

Employers

• Insurance firms
• Banks

General Information

• Complete an internship with an insurance agency.
• Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
• Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
• Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.

Career Areas

• Residential Brokerage
• Commercial Sales
• Appraisals
• Property Management

Employers

• Real estate brokers
• Banks
• Appraisal firms
• Apartment and condominium complexes
• Developers
• Large corporations: real estate departments

General Information

• Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
• Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors.
• Develop an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Research apprenticeships in appraisal.