Frequently Asked Questions
Career Information
1. What is marketing? What does one do with a degree in marketing?Marketing activities involve many challenging and thought-provoking activities that focus on identifying customer needs and providing a product or service to meet those needs. It includes making decisions about products or services to offer, where to market products, how to price products, and how to best communicate information about products to customers and potential customers. Of course, this is a very basic explanation. Understanding how to do these things requires considerable knowledge and experience. Most entry level jobs pursued by Marketing majors are in the retailing, sales, research and advertising professions. These entry level jobs provide graduates with an excellent business foundation and can lead to managerial level jobs such as department manager, sales manager, product manager, account manager or director of marketing. Campus speakers frequently point out that marketing is excellent training for an individual who wants to own or start his/her own business. As with any degree, the level of your future success depends to a great extent on your own efforts--both in school and in your employment. Baylor's Marketing curriculum provides a solid foundation for students who choose to pursue a career in Marketing.
2. What firms hire Baylor University Marketing Graduates?
Some of the firms which have hired marketing graduates are:
Procter and Gamble, Brookshires, Hershey, Andersen Consulting, J.C. Penney, Lipton, Pepsico, Dillards, Peterson Consulting, I.B.M., Merrell-Dow, Del Monte, McLane Trucking, Nestle Foods, Toys 'R' Us, Tandy Corporation, General Foods, Foley's, Northwestern Mutual Life, Revlon, Texas Instruments, H.E.B. Grocery, Pfizer, Xerox, Federal Express, Farm Bureau, AT& T, Aetna, Smithkline-Beecham, Wallace Computer, Capital Financial Services, EDS, Conoco, NCR, Neiman-Marcus, Dr. Pepper, Moore Systems, Quaker Oats, Macy's.
3. What do graduates with marketing majors typically earn?
On a national average, marketing majors earned starting salaries of $35,135 in 2001. Those majors choosing entry-level positions in retail and wholesale trade made starting salaries of $33,210 and those in consulting services earned $41,914.
4. What other things does the Marketing Department do to help students in their career choice?
The Baylor Marketing Association is open to all University students. Each year the Association invites guest speakers who talk about marketing career paths in their industry. Pi Sigma Epsilon, the National Sales Fraternity, offers students an opportunity to interact with business and professional salespersons by bringing in speakers and providing project opportunities. The Center for Professional Selling sponsors the Career Fair, bringing in about twenty firms for two days each spring.
The Marketing Department, in conjunction with the marketing department of other universities, offers students the opportunity to take courses in Europe. In the summer, approximately 25 students participate in this program.
The Marketing Department publishes a resume book for graduating marketing students annually. It is distributed to over 200 organizations and has provided many students with opportunities to interview with representatives from many Marketing organizations.
More Information: http://www.baylor.edu/business/selling/
5. Does Marketing provide me with long-term skills?
Yes. Students who major in Marketing will be exposed to a variety of exercises, projects, and situations that develop communications, analytical, and decision-making capabilities. These capabilities will serve students throughout their professional and personal lives.
Faculty
1. Does the Marketing Department have a qualified faculty?Yes. The Marketing Department faculty receives high student evaluations. Faculty doctorates are from such schools as U. of Mississippi, U. of Texas, U. of Arkansas, Texas A& M U., U. of Houston, U. of Nebraska, Indiana U., U. of Georgia and U. of South Carolina. The faculty are active in research and consulting, professional organizations and community service.
More Information: http://business.baylor.edu/directory/default.aspx?pageID=171
Sports Marketing Program
1. What's this I hear about a new sports marketing program?Go to Degree Plans and click on the S3 program.
More Information: index.php?id=23770
Students
1. What kind of student pursues a degree in marketing?Students with high levels of energy who are excited by a challenge and who are committed to the pursuit of excellence do well in marketing. Marketing provides a foundation for personal and professional growth and opens the door to exciting opportunities.
2. Will I have the opportunity to gain practical experience as a Marketing student?
Each year, about twenty Marketing majors are involved in internships. These offer students an opportunity to learn about the application of Marketing knowledge in business situations. Much course work in Marketing involves hands on projects such as trade shows, advertising campaigns and research projects sponsored by business and/or non-profit organizations.
3. Do many people major in Marketing?
Marketing is a very popular major in the Hankamer School of Business. Over 2,000 students each year take a course in marketing, and the number of majors has been growing steadily for several years.
