|
|
|
Major Related Resources Department of Resources Business Undergraduate | Description of MajorThe study of marketing concerns itself with all activities related to the marketing and distribution of goods and services, from producers to consumers. Areas of study include buyer behavior, the development of new products, pricing policies, institutions and channels of distribution (including retailing and wholesaling), advertising, professional selling, sales promotion, marketing research, and the management of marketing.Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of StudyMarketing requires a combination of interpersonal, creative and analytical skills. Individuals exhibiting high energy, leadership potential, enthusiasm, and creativity are sought by employers in marketing. Strong analytical abilities, including knowledge of statistics, computers and finance are also required. Finally, marketing requires both oral and written skills.Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this MajorCommunication and culture, computer science, foreign language, psychology, sociology, and telecommunications.Career OptionsCareers Specific to the Bachelor's DegreeMany marketing graduates pursue positions in sales. A position of marketing representative may be obtained in the fields of consumer goods, industrial products, or professional services. Entry-level positions are also available in marketing research.Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's DegreeOther options available for the marketing major include positions in retail such as store management, merchandising, and buying; management training positions with a variety of companies; entry level positions in advertising, public relations, and sports marketing; or direct response marketing.Careers that Normally Require a Graduate DegreePositions for those with an M.B.A. in marketing are available in the same areas as for those with an undergraduate degree. However, responsibilities and salaries are generally higher to be commensurate with the added experience and education of the M.B.A. Positions in product management are usually only available to those with an M.B.A.Employment OpportunitiesJob OutlookAccording to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of sales representatives is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Most marketing majors take positions in sales or retailing; some find positions in advertising, marketing research, or product management.Salary InformationStarting salaries for undergraduates majoring in marketing generally range from $28,000 to $40,000. Lower salaries are typically received for positions in retailing and higher salaries for positions in sales.Potential Career GrowthExcellent.Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this MajorStatistics are not available for the placement of all marketing graduates. However, according to the Business Undergraduate Career Services, many marketing majors have been placed directly through the placement office.High School PreparationIn addition to meeting the regular admission requirements to Indiana University, students interested in this major should have a strong background in writing, speaking, and math. Preferably, students should have completed four or five years of college preparatory math, as our majors generally take calculus in their freshman year. Experience with computers and various business software programs is also helpful.Special OpportunitiesThe Kelley School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the country. Its graduates are current or recent presidents, CEOs, CFOs, and board chairs of a number of major corporations, including Ford, Alcoa, Dow, Lilly, Consolidated Products, Mays Chemical, and more. The Kelley School of Business has its own placement office whose staff helps each student develop a career plan and a placement program. The nationally recognized Business Career Services Office annually hosts more than 450 major corporations and hundreds of smaller companies. Each year between 18,000 and 23,000 students interview with representatives of employers such as General Mills, Eastman Kodak, the NCR Corporation, Kraft/ General Foods, and Eli Lilly. Outstanding students can choose to apply to the Kelley School of Business honors program after completing 26 semester hours of course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). The program stresses independent study and accelerated progress. Special seminars and supplemental activities complement the honors curriculum. IU business students may gain valuable experience while working full time for one summer or semester in a corporation or organization that interests them. The internship program, in cooperation with business and industry, gives qualified students on-the-job training in their area of interest. Internships are generally completed in the junior or senior year. Part of the Undergraduate Business Program is the international dimension requirement. One way of fulfilling this requirement is through overseas study. IU business majors can take part in summer or semester long business oriented programs in the Netherlands, Hong Kong, France, Finland, or Mexico. In addition, internships in Germany are available each semester for students who speak German, and there is an English-speaking internship in Slovenia. A dual degree program is also available through IU and a German institution. The overseas study programs are an ideal way to learn about a country’s culture and its business environment. As an alternative to the basic arts and sciences courses, students may choose a field specialization involving extra study in an area outside of business. The specializations are available in five areas: environmental studies, international studies, communications, not-for-profit organizations, and science and technology. Having a specialization lets a student enhance the Kelley School of Business degree with an array of courses from other nationally known IU academic units. The Kelley School of Business offers more than two dozen organizations for business students to participate in while attending IU. These give students a chance to develop leadership skills, learn about careers, and serve the community. Some organizations are national honoraries; some are career oriented clubs; others are based on special interests and experiences.Noted Alumni | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
