Internships
The Nature of Marketing
Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to satisfy customer and organizational goals. All types of companies, nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations use marketing strategies and activities to build strong customer relationships; uncover new business opportunities; develop, advertise and promote new products; and grow a loyal customer base.
Skills and Attributes of Successful Marketers
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Willingness to lead
- Effectively work in teams and communicate with diverse constituents
- Employ critical thinking, creativity, and innovation for solving problems and reaching goals
- Use of information technology to enhance productivity and effectiveness
- High energy and perseverance
- Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
Possible Career Paths
The Department of Marketing is committed to the personal and professional development of students and encourages marketing majors to enhance their employment opportunities by focusing on learning and strong classroom achievement, participating in and leading student organizations, completing internships, and obtaining work experience while in college.
Graduates of the Texas State marketing program become salespeople, marketing managers, advertising account managers, sales managers, entrepreneurs, retail buyers, customer service managers, marketing research directors, and other professionals and executives who take leading roles in business, the community, and society. For marketing majors, career opportunities exist in the following fields:
- Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications –Develop the advertising, promotion, and communications program for the organization
- Brand or Product Management – Plan and coordinate all activities related to a brand or product’s success in the marketplace
- Customer Service Management – Oversee the customer service operations.
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management – Manage the effective and efficient flow and distribution of products to customers
- Marketing Research – Create knowledge about customers, competitors, market trends, site location, sales forecasts, and other marketing phenomenon
- Nonprofit and Social Marketing – Develop marketing programs for nonprofit organizations, charitable groups, or government agencies
- Selling and Sales Management – Ensure a company’s products are effectively represented, sold, and serviced for customers
- Retailing – Manage the operations of a retail store or chain, such as buying, merchandising, marketing, and human resources.
Career Information Web Links
Career Services at Texas State provides comprehensive assistance to students in each stage of their career development and utilizes the most current practices and technology. Marketing majors are encouraged to register with Career Services early in their college careers. The office provides career counseling, job search preparation, placement services, career fairs, specialized seminars, and many other opportunities to enhance career plans and improve employment prospects.
Internship Opportunities and Guidelines
The Marketing Department strongly encourages its majors to complete an internship during their junior or senior year. Internships provide students with the connections, expertise and experience they need to be competitive in the workforce. Texas State marketing students have interned at companies such as Dell, GSD&M Advertising Agency, Sicola-Martin Advertising Agency, Cintas, Wells Fargo Financial Services, Capitol Records, McCoy Corporation, IBM, Merrill-Lynch, American Cancer Society, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Many students find that upon completing the internship, they have obtained the skills and insights they need to more effectively enter the job market.
Marketing majors classified as juniors or seniors are eligible to enroll in Marketing 4399 (Internship) for three hours credit for approved internships. For information and approval, please contact Mr. Ken Murdock who handles the internship program for the Marketing Department.