• Sales-related work that includes direct contact with customers.
• Hands-on creativity that includes merchandising, visual presentations.
• Dealing continually with people and a wide range of types of individual’s wants and needs.

Employment Opportunities Include:

• Store Manger/Department Manager/Area Manager
• Merchandiser
• Sales of wide variety of products, services or related areas

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

• Customer Services/Human Relations
• Problem Solving
• Creativity

What Else Should Be Considered About This Program or Career Choice?

• The Programs offer a wide range of career opportunities in the sales and marketing area, including:

o                        Advertising
          o                        Direct Sales
          o                        Banking
          o                        Marketing

• Larger cities offer more opportunity for employment and higher salaries

Recommended High School Courses:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Human Relations
• Consumer Behavior
• Art
• Home Economics/Design

Basic Skills Needed in the Program and On the Job

Reading
Materials used in the program include college-level textbooks, journal articles, company policy manuals, and industry training materials.  Textbooks are used as the central part of the course.  Tests are based on a combination of textbook material, lectures, and subject specific simulations. 

On the job, employees may be required to read from a variety of sources, including policy manuals, product literature, and budget, inventory and sales forms.

Language
Speaking activities in the classroom include prepared speeches and sales presentations.  On the job, speaking activities can include both sales and training presentations.

Writing activities, both in the program and on the job, are business-oriented, including the composing of memos, letters and reports.

Math
Specific knowledge in figuring percentages, calculating markups, markdowns, and solving for an unknown.  Basic math skills are needed in class and on the job.

Thinking Skills
Problem-solving and basic logic.

Computer
Computer applications and software.