A marketing major opens the door to several employment possibilities. Entry level positions for most marketing majors is in the field of sales. A college student should work in sales to gain practical experience while attaining the marketing major degree.
The marketing major should begin sending applications to perspective employers during their final semester of college. The key to a successful job hunt is to realize marketing applies to every business. Think outside the box. Logical business include advertising agencies, marketing research, retail, public relation firms, corporate marketing and customer relations. Also consider non-profit organizations.
Careers in marketing are diverse. Retail merchandising is an entry level position. A retail merchandiser sets end caps, display windows and other special displays throughout the store. A flair for design is required for individuals interested in merchandising.
An online retailing career is one that has developed with the online sales explosion over the past few years. This multi-billion dollar extension of the retail market has opened marketing majors with e-commerce training many new opportunities.
The public relations field offers marketing majors the opportunity to either maintain a businesses image with the public or change the public’s perspective of a business. The methodology is slightly different yet the outcome is the same. Public relation careers promote a business rather than marketing an item.
The non-profit world utilizes marketing majors in several career areas. Promoting services, changing an image, promoting a product are just a few. Demand for marketing management is needed in the arts and culture, social services, education, community economic development, government, foundations, health care, environmental, and international aide.
Advertising is a logical career choice for marketing majors. Entry level positions work with ad creation, media planning and media production. Advancement in this career area will lead to advertising managers, account management and account planning.
The field of sales provides advancement to sales manager. As a sales manager, you supervise others; establish new territories; write sales quotes; train new sales people; complete the hiring, evaluation and promotion of sales people; monitor incentive programs; and report the results of your sales force to your up-line.
As product manager or brand manager, you are responsible for the overall marketing of a particular product. This may includes all media outlets. Individuals in this marketing career path have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with many having advanced degrees.
Any career field is hard to break into directly out of college. Marketing careers are diverse, allowing for more types of entry level positions. Be persistent and continue to send out resumes. The right position will open and your career will begin.
