Major: Marketing

What colleges offer a Major in Marketing?

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When Barbie first came onto the scene in 1958, she was unique. Unlike the other dolls on store shelves, Barbie was no child. And playing with her, young girls for generations have acted out visions of their future. Barbie is more than just a plastic doll; she's a fantasy.

As Barbie shows, when people make a purchase, they buy more than a product or service. They also buy something that's harder to put your finger on. Marketing majors learn how to discover the special something that people want and how to convince them that their product has it.

Marketing majors learn how to create and sell new products and services in ways that will build a large and loyal group of customers.

“Marketing is a dynamic field that combines both creative ability and analytical skills.” Debbie Thorne McAlister, Chair, Department of Marketing, Texas State University, San Marcos

Are You Ready To...?

  • Complete an internship
  • Join a campus chapter of the American Marketing Association
  • Research shopping habits in another country
  • Pretend you have a new product to sell and research the real-life competitors
  • Learn why consumers buy the things they do
  • Study past advertising campaigns to see why they succeeded -- or failed
  • Understand how products are priced
  • Learn how to decide if a product will sell well

It Helps To Be...

A good leader and a team player who understands people and has strong writing and speaking skills.

College Checklist

  • Is the school of business accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business?
  • How many professors are in the department? Make sure you’ll get the attention you deserve.
  • What internships will you be able to choose from?
  • Does the school have a campus chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a coed marketing fraternity?
  • Which employers interview marketing majors through on-campus career services?
  • What are recent grads doing now?

Did You Know?

The “four Ps” of marketing are product, price, promotion, and place.

Course Spotlight

Some marketing programs require that you build a portfolio. A portfolio is a detailed collection of your school projects and experiences. In addition to a resume and cover letter, you can include everything from mock business plans to mock advertising campaigns. Your portfolio will show future employers that you’re ready for real-life marketing responsibilities. 

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