Marketing
Marketing is at the heart of all exchange.
What is marketing?
Marketing is a way of finding out what products and services people and organizations want and need, and making sure that they can get them. By doing this, marketing provides a system for a higher standard of living for everyone.
What is in the marketing curriculum?
Effective marketing is best facilitated by informed, talented, and motivated people — the marketers. The marketing curriculum supports this need through preparing students for marketing-related positions in industry and other organizations. In addition to the Grove College of Business core courses, students in marketing take required courses in:
Students have the opportunity to develop practical capabilities through elective courses and/or tracks in such areas as sales management, retail management, distribution management, and marketing communications management. In addition, students are encouraged to develop specialized areas of concentration that may include other disciplines.
How do marketing students gain a needed real-world experience?
Internships provide marketing students with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. These internships provide practical experience and enhance the learning experience by providing opportunities to apply what is being learned in class. Benefits of internships include:
Applying academic knowledge to on-the-job experiences
Communicating and interacting with professionals working in business
Developing professional self-confidence
Clarifying and identifying career opportunities
Earning money for university and personal expenses
Building a network of professional contacts
Completing free elective credits for graduation
Returning to the university with renewed interest and a new perspective on learning.
Volvo, Capital BlueCross, and Hershey are among the numerous companies providing internship opportunities to Shippensburg University’s marketing students.
What student organizations are there?
Marketing students and faculty in the Grove College of Business are very active. Available organizations not only provide speakers and contacts for the benefit of their members, but also are involved in, conduct, and develop many important programs and events. Several of these organizations are described as follows:
American Marketing Association: This organization strives to prepare the student for transition from the classroom to the business world. Students are given the opportunity to apply marketing ideas and concepts in planning, organizing, and executing club activities. The club offers its members the chance to hear marketing practitioners’ presentations about their firms and business experiences.
Alpha Kappa Psi: This coed Professional Business Fraternity is the oldest Professional Business Fraternity in the United States. AKPsi helps students enhance leadership skills and develop themselves as professionals. This organization provides the opportunity for its members to hold chair positions and gain valuable leadership and organizational experience, while providing great networking opportunities. Students who have participated in this Fraternity in the past have also been able to form close and lasting friendships. Alpha Kappa Psi participates in many service projects on campus and in the surrounding community. With their continued involvement in the College of Business, AKPsi has also been able to hold many professional events such as the Etiquette for Success Academy, Deans List Reception, Blue and Gold Banquet, and more.
- Beta Gamma Sigma: An international honorary business society that encourages and rewards scholarship and accomplishment. Election to Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest scholastic honor that a student in business administration can attain.
- Phi Beta Lambda: The largest collegiate/student vocational association in America. Dedicated to service, education, and progress, PBL works to improve university-community relations through projects with the business community. Membership is open to all students.
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE): SIFE is a global, non-profit organization that is literally changing the world through highly dedicated student teams on more than 1600 university campuses in 40 countries. SIFE offers these students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process. Guided by distinguished faculty advisors and supported by businesses around the globe, SIFE Teams teach important concepts through educational outreach projects, including market economics, entrepreneurship, personal and financial success, and business ethics to better themselves, their communities and their countries. Each year, SIFE competitions are held worldwide, drawing together thousands of students and business leaders to pay tribute to these extraordinary educational outreach projects.
What career choices exist in marketing?
Qualified marketers are in demand. Marketing ranks very high when comparing salaries with other professions. Typical starting salaries tend to be over $40,000. Opportunities are extensive and diverse and include areas such as:
Advertising and promotion
Customer service
e-marketing
Not-for-profit marketing
Marketing research
Distribution management
Product and/or brand management
Professional selling
Retail management
Services marketing
Public relations and events planning
Shippensburg graduates have obtained jobs at numerous organizations such as:
Aldi Foods
AT&T
Black & Decker
Burlington Coat Factory
Capital Blue Cross
Enterprise
Fastenal
Federated Insurance
Giant Foods
Hershey
IBM
JLG Industries
Lowes
Pavone
Procter and Gamble
Rite Aid Corporation
Target
The Bon-Ton
UPS
Wal-Mart
Many graduates have also successfully started their own businesses or pursued advanced degrees.
Where can I get more information?
For specific program information, contact:
Dr. William Oberman, Chair
Department of Management and Marketing
224 Grove Hall
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1439
Fax: 717-477-4068
E-mail: wdober@ship.edu
John L. Grove College of Business
717-477-1435
E-mail: business@ship.edu
Website: http://www.ship.edu/business/
The John L. Grove College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International.