MARKETING What can I do with this major?
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
SALES AND PROMOTION Industrial Sales For-profit and nonprofit organizations Obtain experience through internships or summer Wholesale Sales Product and service organizations and part-time jobs. Consumer Product Sales Manufacturers Seek leadership positions in campus organizations. Financial Services Sales Financial companies Work for the campus newspaper, directory, or radio Services Sales Insurance companies station selling advertisements. Advertising Sales Print and electronic media outlets Become highly motivated and well-organized. Learn Corporate Sales Software and technology companies to work well under pressure and to be comfortable Manufacturer Representation Internet companies in a competitive environment. Direct Consumer Sales Consulting firms Be prepared to work independently and to be self- E-commerce motivated. Plan to work irregular and long hours. Sales Management: Develop strong persuasion skills. Learn how to com- District, Regional, and Higher municate effectively with a wide range of people Promotion: and build relationships. Take courses in interperson- Consumer al communication and public speaking. Trade Develop a strong knowledge base of the product or Sales Force service you are selling. Customer Service To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy. Become committed to customer satisfac- tion. Some positions in 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.
MARKETING MANAGEMENT Marketing is a functional area that falls in between Consumer products corporations Plan on pursuing an MBA and an internship for most product development and sales. Service providers brand or product management positions. Industrial goods manufacturers Creativity and analytical skills are both critical to Product Management Software and technology companies success in this field. Brand Management Advertising and public relations firms Develop strong communication skills and learn to Marketing Strategy Management Market research firms work well on cross-functional teams. Advertising Management Obtain a broad background in advertising, research, consumer behavior, and strategy. Be prepared to start in assisting roles and work your way up. (Marketing, Page 2)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
MARKET RESEARCH Data Collection: Large corporations Build a solid background in statistics, mathematics, Primary Marketing research firms and behavioral science. Strong analytical and Secondary Public institutions concerning health, education, and problem solving skills, and an attention to detail Field Service transportation are critical. Survey Research Management consulting firms Learn how to use databases and other marketing Data Analysis Advertising agencies and statistical analysis software programs. Evaluation Design Manufacturers Get involved with a professor's research project or Forecasting Retailers pursue an independent study to learn about the Reporting Trade and industry associations research process. Project Management Government agencies Gain experience with data entry and interviewing Management Nonprofit organizations 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. Work experience in sales and other areas of mar - keting may prove beneficial. Research certification by the Marketing Research Association.
PURCHASING/PROCUREMENT Purchasing/Buying: Manufacturers Develop the skills most important to this field includ- Wholesale Retail chains and stores ing: analytical, decision-making, communication, Retail Wholesalers and negotiation. Agricultural Large corporations Supplement curriculum with courses in supply chain Operational Local, state, and federal government agencies management or logistics. Contract or Supply Management Educational institutions For federal government positions, become familiar Hospitals with the application process. Maintain a high grade point average and plan to complete a federal internship. Be prepared to start in assisting positions and work your way up. Research the options that are available for certifica- tion, for example those offered by the American Purchasing Society. (Marketing, Page 3)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT Strategy Public relations firms Get experience with social media platforms, e.g., Content Planning Marketing agencies Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter and location- Community Management Advertising agencies based social media sites, e.g. Yelp and Gowalla. Marketing and Promotions Social media management companies Be adept at learning new technology and tools Blogging Media outlets quickly. Stay abreast of industry news. Copy Writing Entertainment companies Establish an online presence for yourself, and use it Search Engine Marketing Organizations in a variety of industries in your job search. Online Customer Service Web application companies Complete an internship in social media. Freelance Volunteer to maintain social media for campus organizations. Develop skills important to this field including: communication, creativity, relationship building, and project management. Take courses in journalism, copy writing, and technology. Research an industry of interest to learn about its social media presence. Learn how to effectively manage negative press.
MANAGEMENT Types of Management Include: Nearly every type of organization across industries Be prepared to start in entry-level management Entry-Level/Management-Trainee offer management positions including: trainee positions or corporate rotational pro - Supervision of Employees and Operations Banks and financial institutions grams. Human Resource Management: Retail stores Gain related experience through internships or Recruiting/Staffing Restaurants summer and part-time jobs. Project Management Hotels and other facilities Work at a retail store or restaurant; advance into an Team Management Service providers assistant manager position. Information Management Healthcare organizations Get involved in student organizations and assume Middle Management Manufacturers leadership roles. Top Management Software and technology companies Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and a Educational institutions sense of independence. Local, state, and federal government Take courses in a secondary specialty such as Nonprofit organizations logistics or information systems to increase job Staffing agencies opportunities. Self-employed Learn to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well on a team. Develop strong problem solving skills. (Marketing, Page 4)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING Sales Music industry: Seek multiple internships in area of interest, even Promotions Concert promoters if unpaid. Full-time positions are often difficult to Marketing Record labels obtain and require breaking in at the bottom level. Event Planning Radio stations Gain experience in sales to prepare for this field. Public Relations Artist management agencies Get involved with campus entertainment boards or Social Media Management Sports industry including: event planning committees or work at the college Minor and major league teams radio or television station if possible. College and university athletics Volunteer to promote a local band on your campus Arenas, stadiums, and facilities or in your city. Festivals Work part-time or summer jobs at venues that host Event planning companies events or conferences. Marketing and public relations firms Plan to relocate to larger cities for the most job Movie and television industry opportunities. Theaters Conduct informational interviews to build a network Nonprofits focused on arts and entertainment of contacts. BANKING Commercial Banking Banks Develop a solid background in business including Retail/Consumer Banking Credit unions finance and accounting. Credit Analysis Savings and loan associations Get experience through part-time, summer, or Lending Financial services institutions internship positions in a bank. Trust Services Wholesale lenders Develop strong interpersonal and communication Mortgage Services Housing lenders skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele. Branch Management Federal Reserve banks Operations
INSURANCE Sales Insurance firms Complete an internship with an insurance agency. Claims Insurance brokers Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more Underwriting about claims, underwriting, and risk manage- Risk Management ment. Many entry-level positions exist in these Asset Management areas. Loss Control Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a Customer Service successful agent or broker. Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely. There are many certifications in the insurance industry. Research those relevant to your area. (Marketing, Page 5)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
REAL ESTATE Brokerage/Sales: Real estate brokers and firms Research the process of becoming a real estate Residential Banks broker through the National Association of Commercial Appraisal firms Realtors. Every state requires a combination Office and Industrial Apartment and condominium complexes of real estate courses, passing an exam, and Farm and Land Leasing offices other criterion to gain a license. Property Management Developers Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, Appraising Large corporations: real estate departments or internship positions. Land Development Develop an entrepreneurial spirit as nearly 60% of brokers and agents are self-employed. Be willing to work evenings and weekends to accom- modate clients' schedules. Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal if that is an area of interest.
GENERAL INFORMATION • Most entry-level positions for marketing majors reside in sales. After gaining more experience, professionals can move into marketing management. • Marketing is good preparation for graduate study in business. An MBA can open greater opportunities, particularly in areas of brand management and market research. • Gain as much relevant experience as possible through internships or summer and part-time jobs. • Join the American Marketing Association student chapter and seek leadership roles. • Develop excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with others. • Conduct informational interviews with or shadow professionals in careers of interest to learn about the field first hand. • Engage in personal networking to increase job possibilities. • Look for companies that hire new graduates into rotational training or corporate leadership development programs to gain exposure to multiple functional areas. • A willingness to relocate often opens more entry-level opportunities.
© 2003 The University of Tennessee Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2003, Revised 2008, 2013) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer