Marketing is concerned with the ways businesses develop, promote, advertise, and sell their ideas, products and services to consumers. Marketing majors learn how to research consumer needs, determine the demand for certain goods or services, develop products, analyze competitive market structures, and target potential customers. They engage in team projects, discovering techniques for developing new markets and competitive pricing strategies, while brainstorming ideas that will enhance services to existing markets. In the areas of promotion, advertising, and sales, marketing students learn to influence consumer purchasing decisions by appealing to their individual needs and desires. Rivier College marketing majors are exposed to a business managerial curriculum, which combines a broad liberal arts background with a strong professional education.
Career Paths for new marketing graduates are diverse and dependent upon one's interests, abilities, work values, academic emphasis, and practical experience in the field. Because the marketing field is so broad, individuals may specialize in areas such as advertising, brand management, direct response marketing, business to business marketing, sales and sales management, international marketing, marketing systems analysis, marketing research, new product planning, public relations, retailing management, services marketing, and distribution channel management. Entry level positions exist in large corporations, small businesses, profit and non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Field expertise and an MBA graduate degree are necessary for career advancement in management, consulting, marketing research, and market systems analysis.
Rivier College offers marketing majors the option of earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing or an Associate of Science in Marketing, as part of the Undergraduate Department of Business Administration. Questions related to a major in marketing should be directed to the Business Administration Department at 897-8237. Visit Rivier's Undergraduate Business Administration Homepage for additional information on degree requirements and course offerings.
Marketing Major Skills
| Communication (oral & written)
Quantitative Abilities Knowledge of Economics & Social Science Ability to Conduct & Apply Consumer Research Knowledge of Marketing Techniques Business Leadership Analytical Abilities Persuasive, Sales Ability |
Computer Literacy
Independent Thinker Sound Decision-Making Creative Problem-Solving Cross-Cultural Skills Interpersonal Skills Entrepreneurial Skills |
Job Title Examples of Rivier
and Other Marketing Graduates
(Some of these jobs may require education
or experience beyond a bachelor's degree)
| Assistant Account Executive
Assistant Media Buyer Research Assistant Associate Brand Manager Sales Representative Market Research Administrator Product Manager Pricing Administrator Assistant Marketing Manager Assistant Sales Manager Sales Service Administrator Trade Sales Representative Lobbyist Public Relations Manager Financial Planner Insurance Agent |
Technical Sales Rep
Market Analyst Management Scientist Assistant Buyer Department Manager Traffic Manager Inventory Control Manager Distribution Planning Analyst Customer Service manager Sales Manager Advertising Sales Rep Retail Store Manager Media Marketing Coordinator Advertising CopyWriter Promotional Artist Purchasing Agent |
Examples of Employers Who
Have Hired Rivier and Other Marketing Graduates
| Airlines
Advertising Agencies Retail & Department Stores Service Industries Government Agencies Banks/Financial Institutions Insurance Agencies Business & Industry Communications Firms Hotels & Restaurants |
Health Care Organizations
Manufacturing Firms Media Firms Radio/Television Stations Colleges/Universities Computer Companies Investment Firms Market Research Firms Publishing Companies Test Development Companies |
Ways to Increase Employability
American Marketing Association - www.ama.org
Public Relations Society of America -
www.prsa.org
Association of National Advertisers
- www.ana.net
The Marketing Research Association
- www.mra-net.org
American Advertising Federation -
www.aaf.org
The Direct Marketing Association -
www.the-dma.org
Career Related Websites for Marketing Majors
Marketing Careers - http://www.marshall.usc.edu/career/index.html
* Career Exploration Resource
Marketing & Sales Occupations
- www.collegeboard.org/career/bin/career.pl?runlevel=all&expand=19
* Career Exploration Resource
Everything You Need to Know About Sales
& Marketing - www.bates.edu/admin/offices/career/webx/webexchange.html
Careers in Business - www.careers-in-business.com/
* Career and Employment Information
Other Resources for
Career Exploration
Other Resources
for the Pursuit of Employment
Other Job
Sites for Marketing Majors