Do you like to shop for yourself and others? Do you think you would be good at selling the merits of a product or idea? The Marketing, Sales, and Service Sector provides an opportunity to learn the techniques of transferring products or services to consumers. As California businesses compete in the global marketplace, the need for employees with business expertise and the ability to analyze and respond to emerging trends will continue to grow.
Career Pathways
The buying and selling of products and services over the Internet are now everyday occurrences. For large corporations, globalization via e-commerce is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. E-commerce has spurred innovations in electronic funds transfer, inventory management, marketing, automated data collection systems, and many other areas. Career opportunities in this pathway have grown to meet the needs of the global market.
- Software Engineers
- Copywriters/Designers
- Entrepreneurs
- Interactive Sales Engineers
- Business Teachers
- Web Site Developers
- Customer Service/Customer Support Representatives
Entrepreneurship is the practice of starting a new business or organization. Though starting a business presents challenges and hardships, entrepreneurs are not discouraged in their pursuit of being their own boss. While no specific personality type is associated with entrepreneurs, successful entrepreneurs share common characteristics. Some key descriptors include visionary, prudent risk takers, positive thinker, persistent, enthusiastic, and determined.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Franchisees
- Marketing Managers
- Buyers
- Business Owners
- Account Executives
- Event Planners
Twenty-first Century travel and communication make the commerce world seem smaller. The resulting global marketplace is a thriving and competitive place to do business. Students focusing on international trade need an understanding of the political, historical, cultural, legal, economic, and ethical systems of the countries trading in the world market.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Sales Representatives
- Route Sales
- Shipping and Receiving
- Economists
- Marketing Research
- International Trade Specialists
Sales and marketing involve the transfer of goods and services in the economy. Marketing entails promotion, advertising, and distribution. Types of sales include direct, retail, consignment, telemarketing, door-to-door, route, and auction.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Telemarketers
- Retail/Wholesale Buyers
- Account Executives
- Real Estate
- Securities
- Insurance
- Books
- Pharmaceutical Supplies
- Product Branding
- Public Relations
- Advertising
Programs of Study
Labor Market Information
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services Managers | 25,700 | 29,400 | 14.4% | $42.49 | $1,699.60 | $7,138.32 | $85,659.80 | |
| Advertising & Promotions Manager | 6,300 | 6,800 | 7.9% | $45.53 | $1,821.20 | $7,649.04 | $91,788.50 | |
| Advertising Sales Agents | 21,000 | 25,300 | 20.5% | $27.70 | $1,108.00 | $4,653.60 | $55,843.20 | |
| Business Operations Specialists, Other | 184,600 | 227,500 | 23.2% | $30.68 | $1,227.20 | $5,154.24 | $61,850.90 | |
| Chief Executive | 43,900 | 45,800 | 4.3% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 5,900 | 6,600 | 11.9% | $36.46 | $1,458.40 | $6,125.28 | $73,503.40 | |
| Computer software Engineers, Applications | 87,300 | 128,400 | 47.1% | $47.24 | $1,889.60 | $7,936.32 | $95,235.80 | |
| Customer Service Representatives | 201,200 | 256,800 | 27.6% | $17.26 | $690.40 | $2,899.68 | $34,796.20 | |
| Economists | 0.0% | $47.45 | $1,898.00 | $7,971.60 | $95,659.20 | |||
| Insurance Sales Agents | 38,600 | 44,200 | 14.5% | $33.76 | $1,350.40 | $5,671.68 | $68,060.20 | |
| Market Research Analysts | 30,200 | 36,500 | 20.9% | $34.84 | $1,393.60 | $5,853.12 | $70,237.40 | |
| Marketing Managers | 31,400 | 35,900 | 14.3% | $63.88 | $2,555.20 | $10,731.80 | $128,782.00 | |
| Public Relations Specialists | 26,000 | 30,800 | 18.5% | $31.39 | $1,255.60 | $5,273.52 | $63,282.20 | |
| Purchasing Agents & Buyers, Farm Products | 1,300 | 1,500 | 15.4% | $29.46 | $1,178.40 | $4,949.28 | $59,391.40 | |
| Purchasing Managers | 9,100 | 9,900 | 8.8% | $46.68 | $1,867.20 | $7,842.24 | $94,106.90 | |
| Real Estaate Sales Agents | 24,700 | 27,100 | 9.7% | $33.75 | $1,350.00 | $5,670.00 | $68,040.00 | |
| Sales Engineers | 0.0% | $47.69 | $1,907.60 | $8,011.92 | $96,143.00 | |||
| Sales Managers | 50,600 | 58,400 | 15.4% | $56.31 | $2,252.40 | $9,460.08 | $113,521.00 | |
| Sales Representatives, Services | 97,800 | 127,200 | 30.1% | $30.40 | $1,216.00 | $5,107.20 | $61,286.40 | |
| Sales Representatives, Tech & Scientific | 45,400 | 53,500 | 17.8% | $40.51 | $1,620.40 | $6,805.68 | $81,668.20 | |
| Sales Representatives,Except Technical | 152,300 | 179,600 | 17.9% | $30.80 | $1,232.00 | $5,174.40 | $62,092.80 | |
| Telemarketers | 34,000 | 30,200 | -11.2% | $13.47 | $538.80 | $2,262.96 | $27,155.50 | |
| Wholesale/Retail Buyers-Except Farm products | 21,300 | 22,000 | 3.3% | $26.59 | $1,063.60 | $4,467.12 | $53,605.40 |