Business law marketing - Career Watch 2004 Special Report

Careers and Colleges, Jan-Feb, 2004

ON THE JOB: Fontana helps arrange the Heart Association gala and food and wine tasting events. A lot of the job involves coordinating the printing of solicitation letters, followed up with invoices and billing. Managing a huge database of names of potential contributors is key.

STARTING OUT. "I always wanted to start my own business, and the e-business training from Berkeley taught me office systems software, and how to set up Web pages and how to capture credit card information online. I'm using this knowledge to set up an online business selling health food and vitamins. But I also want real world business experience, which this job gives me."

REWARDS: "I often get to speak directly with those who may contribute, and that helps me to be a better salesperson."

CHALLENGES: "Soliciting people is hard--you have to say the right things. But you do it 100 times and you get it right. The job has taught me how to approach people."

MORE INFO: Sales and Marketing Executives International, www.smei.org--Don Rauf

HR MANAGER

KRISTI BREEN

AGE: 35

LOCATION: Orlando, FL

JOB: Manages the college intern recruitment program for Walt Disney World.

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree is usually expected for managerial level positions. A major in a business-related field, especially human resources, is helpful. Breen has a B.A. in international affairs from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

SALARY: The median salary is $59,000.

ON THE JOB: Breen oversees the marketing, promotion and recruitment efforts made by Walt Disney World on more than 400 college campuses nationwide to attract interns.

STARTING OUT: Breen liked human resources when she graduated college because of the numerous opportunities it offered. "I found it amazing that I could work in a career in which I traveled around the country and possibly the world offering life-changing experiences to students," she says.

REWARDS: "The opportunity to see students grow, both personally and professionally. I actively recruited on campuses before becoming a manager, and you can get close to the students personally."

CHALLENGES: "Job markets change and the recruitment process always has to be revamped to keep up. Today students are technologically savvy--they're used to Internet sites and interactive media. They don't respond so well to conventional methods of recruitment, like posters or fliers."

MORE INFO: Society of Human Resource Management, www.shrm.org--David Schaffer

TRAVEL MANAGER

NEAL STEINKEN

AGE: 43

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

JOB: Manager of product development for Apple Vacations.

EDUCATION: There are no set educational requirements, but those entering the field should have experience working with the public--they should also be friendly and outgoing. Travel experience is also an asset, as well as patience and a mind for details. Some colleges offer majors in travel and tourism. Courses in computers, foreign languages, and geography can be helpful. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has a correspondence course that provides a basic understanding of the industry.