B.S. Degree in Marketing

Marketing has been defined as "the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, good and services, to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organization objectives." The marketing major studies how products and services are developed, priced, promoted, distributed and sold. The process requires an understanding of buyer and seller behavior within the context of the overall market environment. Added emphasis is given to the important area of global markets with their own special challenges and opportunities. Marketing is an essential part of every business. Not-for-profit organizations also have to market their products/services, and the marketing discipline addresses the special needs of such organizations. The marketing major at SDSU includes preparatory courses in accounting, finance, information systems, economics and mathematics. Career Opportunities: The employment outlook for marketing graduates with a B.S. degree continues to be very favorable in all areas. Some of the more common career opportunities for marketing graduates include: Sales and sales management are common sources of employment for marketing graduates. Sales positions can be found in nearly all organizations including manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing and service businesses. Sales representatives must fully understand the products and services offered by their company. These positions vary by company, but generally require the ability to identify and learn about the needs of prospective customers, develop and make sales presentations, provide follow-up services and manage existing accounts. Advertising, promotion and marketing communication jobs are available to marketing graduates. These include: advertising managers, who supervise the planning and execution of the advertising and promotional programs of an organization; account executives, who work for advertising agencies as a liaison between the agency and their clients and assist in the planning and execution of advertising programs and campaigns; promotional specialists, who plan and implement sales promotion programs and activities for their clients; media planners and buyers, who coordinate the scheduling and purchasing of advertising time and space from various sources such as radio, television, newspapers and magazines; and media representatives, who sell advertising time and space for radio and television stations, magazines, newspapers and other media. Marketing research specialists, who conduct various types of research studies in areas such as advertising, pricing, packaging, new product testing, and test marketing to help determine sales potential and effective ways to market products and services. Marketing research specialists plan and execute quantitative studies, such as marketing surveys, which involve the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, as well as qualitative studies, such as focus group interviews. Product and brand managers, who coordinate all of the marketing activities required to market a specific product or service line or an individual brand. Product managers' responsibilities include the development of marketing plans for a brand and coordination of the various sales and marketing activities involved in the marketing process.