Hot jobs in marketing and sales: do you enjoy working with people? Are you outgoing? If so, marketing and sales careers provide wide-ranging options

Career World, Feb-March, 2004 by Mark Rowh

Jackson adds that it's OK to experiment to find out just where you fit best. "The hardest part of getting started is figuring out what you are really good at, and fine-tuning the other parts of your skill set," he says. "The best way to figure this out is through practice and dealing with people on a regular basis, always taking notice of details."

RELATED ARTICLE: Young and capable.

Monica Perkins is a 23-year-old national sales manager at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City, Michigan. She became interested in sales while earning a bachelor's degree in communication at Michigan State University and j interning for a public relations firm. Shortly after graduation, she landed a job in the conference sales department at the resort.

Within a year she was promoted to her current position, one which she relishes. "I have been able to travel throughout the country," she says." It's been fun meeting great people and putting together spectacular events!"

She also enjoys the specific demands of her job." Being in the hospitality industry allows for a different approach to sales," she says. "It really is a mix of marketing, advertising, PR, and sales all rolled into one." Perkins says that the work in public relations helped prepare her for her present role." That allowed me to have a greater understanding of the sales process," she says. "It helped me learn about garnering new business and bringing a new flair to sales."

Monica advises high school students interested in sales or marketing to pick up some job experience. "Get as much experience as you can as soon as you can," Perkins says." Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work are all very important in today's job market."

She notes that employers tend to look for new employees who can start quickly in a new position. They should already have some understanding of the field in which they will be working. "It may be frustrating working as an unpaid intern or entry-level employee," she says." But it will pay off to do that when you are young, rather than when you are ready to start your career."

Hot Jobs in Marketing and Sales

Students will become familiar with job opportunities in marketing and sales. Career Cluster: Marketing, Sales & Service.

REVIEW/DISCUSS

* What is the purpose of marketing and sales? (to inform potential customers about an organization's products or services and to sell the products to the customer)

* What are some of the pluses of jobs in marketing and sales? (The pluses include pay commensurate with effort, job satisfaction, variety, and abundant job opportunities.)

* What personal qualities and abilities are most important for people in marketing and sales? Explain.

* What interests you about a job in marketing or sales, and what do you dislike?

ACTIVITIES

1. Observe commercials for a new product, and discuss the marketing and sales professionals who would be involved in launching the product (e.g., advertising copywriter, producer, director, client liaison, event planner, sales manager, marketing director, sales associate). What would the role of each be? 2. Review with the class ways to enter the marketing or sales field, and have students suggest some examples of each of these methods: