The field of marketing and sales has many specialties,
and opportunities vary according to specialty, training,
experience, and track record. Often marketing employees
must have training and education in business and advertising,
while people selling directly to consumers in retail
often require only a high school education and on-the
job training, although to be competitive a job seeker
should have some post-secondary education.
The rapidly-expanding field of market and survey
research is drawing more potential employees, and
those who have graduate degrees and experience in
business, marketing, and psychology will find the
best salaries and benefits.
Educational Requirements
Before computerized automation and specialized sales
forces, training was often on-the-job for sales and
marketing personnel. Today, with high-tech ordering
systems and marketing over the internet, education
has become more of a necessity, and a bachelor's degree
is often required for a position in sales and marketing.
Those in advertising often have a minimum of an associate's
degree (and often a bachelor's or higher) in public
relations, communications, journalism, or psychology.
They have also have a good chance of getting positions
in surveys and research work. Positions in marketing
directly to the public usually require additional
expertise and training in the products or services
they wish to sell.
If you are interested in a career in marketing and
sales, you should spend some time on the Net exploring
what educational opportunities are available to you
at this point in time. By doing some 'shopping around,"
you will be able to find the educational program that
will best be able to meet your needs and your goals.
Salary and Benefits
Salaries in sales most often depend
on performance. Most retail and wholesale marketing
positions are commission-based with a small monthly
salary and travel reimbursement. Self-employed sales
reps often represent more than one company, but also
must cover their own expenses when traveling for work.
Employees in market and survey research,
a field expected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to
grow faster than average, earned between approximately
$30,000 and $100,000 in 2004. These employees held positions
in management, IT, insurance, and consulting services;
many held graduate degrees and taught marketing courses
in community colleges and universities.
To help you choose a career area in
marketing, sales, and market research-or to see more
detailed data on a field you are in now-search the Occupational
Outlook Handbook at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website
(www.bls.gov).
The Future of Marketing and Sales
Employment and career experts all agree
that the demand for careers in marketing and sales will
continue unabated well into the future. As more and
more companies develop in house marketing and sales
programs, and as firms dedicated to marketing and sales
expand in size and in number, the demand for people
with training and experience in marketing and sales
is expected actually to increase during the coming decade.
In short, if you are interested in a career in marketing
and sales, your future actually will be bright. |
