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. 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 long hours.
Develop strong persuasion skills. Learn how to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and build relationships. Take courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Develop a strong knowledge base of the product or service you are selling.
To deliver effective customer service, develop problem solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy. Become committed to customer satisfaction.
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 product development and sales.
Product management
Brand management
Marketing strategy management
Advertising management
Employers
Consumer products corporations
Service providers
Industrial goods manufacturers
Software and technology companies
Advertising and public relations firms
Market research firms
Strategies
Plan on pursuing an MBA and an internship for most brand or product management positions.
Creativity and analytical skills are both critical to success in this field.
Develop strong communication skills and learn to work well on cross-functional teams.
Obtain a broad background in advertising, research, consumer behavior, and strategy.
Be prepared to start in assisting roles and work your way up.
Market Research
Data collection:
Primary
Secondary
Field service
Survey research
Data analysis
Evaluation design
Forecasting
Reporting
Project management
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
Strategies
Build a solid background in statistics, mathematics, and behavioral science. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, and an attention to detail are critical.
Learn how to use databases and other marketing and statistical analysis 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 and 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.
Work experience in sales and other areas of marketing may prove beneficial.
Research certification by the Marketing Research Association.
Purchasing/Procurement
Purchasing/Buying:
Wholesale
Retail
Agricultural
Operational
Contract or supply management
Employers
Manufacturers
Retail chains and stores
Wholesalers
Large corporations
Local, state, and federal government
Educational institutions
Hospitals
Strategies
Develop the skills most important to this field including: analytical, decision-making, communication, and negotiation.
Supplement curriculum with courses in supply chain management or logistics.
For federal government positions, become familiar 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 certification, for example those offered by the American Purchasing Society.
Social Media Management
Strategy
Content planning
Community management
Marketing and promotions
Blogging
Copy writing
Search engine marketing
Online customer service
Employers
Public relations firms
Marketing agencies
Advertising agencies
Social media management companies
Media outlets
Corporations in a variety of industries
Web application companies
Freelance
Strategies
Get experience with social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) and location- based social media sites (e.g. Yelp, Gowalla).
Be adept at learning new technology and tools quickly. Stay abreast of industry news.
Establish an online presence for yourself, and use it in your job search.
Complete an internship in social media.
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:
Entry-level/Management-trainee
Supervision of employees and operations
Human resource management:
Recruiting/Staffing
Project management
Team management
Information management
Operations management
Middle management
Top management
Employers
Nearly every type of organization across industries offer management positions:
Banks and financial institutions
Retail stores
Restaurants
Hotels and other facilities
Service providers
Healthcare organizations
Manufacturers
Software and technology companies
Educational institutions
Local, state, and federal government
Nonprofit organizations
Self-employed
Strategies
Be prepared to start in entry-level management trainee positions or corporate rotational training programs.
Gain related experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Work at a retail store or restaurant; advance into an assistant manager position.
Get involved in student organizations and assume leadership roles.
Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence.
Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
Learn to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well on a team.
Develop strong problem solving skills.
Entertainment Marketing
Sales
Promotions
Marketing
Event planning
Public relations
Social media management
Employers
Music industry:
Concert promoters
Record labels
Radio stations
Artist management agencies
Sports industry:
Minor and major league teams
College and university athletics
Arenas, stadiums, and facilities
Festivals
Event planning companies
Marketing and public relations firms
Movie and television industry
Theaters
Nonprofits focused on arts and entertainment
Strategies
Seek multiple internships in area of interest, even if unpaid. Full-time positions are often difficult to obtain and require breaking in at the bottom level.
Gain experience in sales to prepare for this field.
Get involved with campus entertainment boards or event planning committees or work at the college radio or television station if possible.
Volunteer to promote a local band on your campus or in your city.
Work part-time or summer jobs at venues that host events or conferences.
Plan to relocate to larger cities for the most job opportunities.
Conduct informational interviews to build a network of contacts.
Banking
Commercial Banking
Retail/Consumer Banking
Credit Analysis
Lending
Trust Services
Mortgage Services
Branch Management
Operations
Employers
Banks
Credit unions
Savings and loan associations
Financial services institutions
Wholesale lenders
Housing lenders
Federal Reserve banks
Strategies
Develop a solid background in business including finance and accounting.
Get experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a bank.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
Insurance
Sales
Claims
Underwriting
Risk management
Asset management
Loss control
Customer service
Employers
Insurance firms
Insurance brokers
Strategies
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.
There are many certifications in the insurance industry. Research those relevant to your area.
Real Estate
Brokerage/Sales
Residential
Commercial
Office and industrial
Farm and land
Property management
Appraising
Land development
Employers
Real estate brokers and firms
Banks
Appraisal firms
Apartment and condominium complexes
Leasing offices
Developers
Large corporations: Real estate departments
Strategies
Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors. Every state requires a combination of real estate courses, passing an exam, and other criterion to gain a license.
Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
Develop an entrepreneurial spirit as nearly 60% of brokers and agents are self-employed.
Be willing to work evenings and weekends to accommodate 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.
