marketingBY: CHEREESE LANGLEY

Nature of work

Formulate, direct and coordinate marketing activities and policies to promote products and services, working with advertising and promotion managers.

Identify, develop, and evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors.

Direct the hiring, training, and performance evaluations of marketing and sales staff and oversee their daily activities

Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction.

Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, and return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.

Coordinate and participate in promotional activities and trade shows, working with developers, advertisers, and production managers, to market products and services.

Education and training

Entry level marketing requires a bachelors degree

Finish MBA and get the 4 to 5 year experience Masters degree may be required for technical

positions.Complete courses in business, marketing, and

consumer behaviorWhile in college, learn how to conduct

interviews or surveys, and writing reports on their findings.

Qualifications

Being able to analyze what products will sellKnowledge of product pricing and businessTalent for understanding consumer choicesCreativity to generate new marketing

strategies and companies Have to be able to pay a lot of attention to

detail

Job outlook and future prospects

Overall employment of market and survey researchers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations

Bachelor's degree holders may face competition for market research jobs, as many positions, especially technical ones, require a master's or doctoral degree

Among bachelor's degree holders, those with good quantitative skills, including a strong background in mathematics, statistics, survey design, and computer science, will have the best opportunities

There will be fewer job opportunities for survey researchers since it is a relatively smaller occupation and a greater number of candidates qualify for these positions.

The best prospects will come from growth in the market research and public opinion polling industry, which employs many survey researchers.

Expected to grow 41 percent from 2010 to 2020

Potential earnings now and future

The median annual wage for marketing managers was $112,800 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,750,

the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400.

Similar job occupations

Advertising sales agentsArt directorsSales manager

accounting

My mom is an accountant.

Nature of work

Prepare and examine financial recordsEnsure financial records are accurate and

that taxes are paid and on timeAssess financial operationsWork to help make sure organizations run

efficientlySuggest ways to reduce costs, enhance

revenues, and improve profits

Education and training needed

Most accountant and auditor positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

Certification within a specific field of accounting improves job prospects

Some employers prefer to hire applicants with a masters degree

Every accounting filing is required by law to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Needed work experience

qualifications

Analytical skillsCommunication skillsDetail oriented Math skillsOrganizational skills

Job outlook and prospects

Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020.

There has been an increased focus on accounting in response to corporate scandals and recent financial crises.

Stricter laws and regulations, particularly in the financial sector, will likely increase the demand for accounting services as organizations seek to comply with new standards.

Accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition, especially as a Certified Public Accountants (CPA), should have the best prospects.

Job applicants who have a master's degree in accounting or a master's degree in business with a concentration in accounting also may have an advantage.

Potential earnings

The median annual wage of accountants and auditors was $61,690 in May 2010.

The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,940 and the top 10 percent earned more than $106,880.

occupations

Budget analysisCost estimatorsFinancial examiners