Career Profile: Marketing Manager

Marketing managers oversee the marking process.  They gather information and analyze the products or services they want to sell.  They research trends in buying and selling, develop ideas for new products, and work with advertising managers to figure out how to sell a product or service.  Marketing managers also develop a budget for the marketing process or campaign, research who wants the product, and gather opinions about the product to help develop and refine their marketing plan.

Helpful high school courses for a career as a marketing manager include:

• Accounting
• Banking & Finance
• Computer Applications
• Economics
• Introduction to Business
• Marketing
• Probability & Statistics
• Psychology
• Sociology

There are also opportunities to get real-life experience in the marketing field through completing internships or mentorships.  If you are interested in a career as a marketing manager, you also might want to join DECA or BPA to understand the business world.  These kinds of extracurricular activities also look great on both college and job applications!

Becoming a marketing manager might be the right pathway for you if...

• You enjoy working with people and on a team
• You like problem-solving and making decisions
• You enjoy working on computers
• You have an interest in advertising or selling products or services

In Minnesota, there are plenty of colleges and universities that offer degrees in marketing.  Some 4-year colleges and universities that have marketing programs include:

• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• St. Cloud State University
• Winona State University
• Augsburg College
• Hamline University
• University of St. Thomas
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• University of Minnesota, Crookston
• University of Minnesota, Duluth

Information gathered from www.mncis.intocareers.org.

College Profile: South Central College

South Central College is a two-year school that has two campuses close to Owatonna High School, in North Mankato and Faribault.  South Central College offers short-term degrees such as certificates and diplomas as well as two-year Associate degrees.


Admissions
To apply for admission to South Central College, you first will need to complete their application, either online or on paper.  There is a $20 application fee.  You’ll also need to submit your high school transcript through Docufide (you can pick up instructions on how to submit your transcript in the Career Center).  If you have taken any courses for college credit, you will also need to submit your official college transcripts.  South Central College also requires that students take the Accuplacer, a placement test that helps advisors decide what classes are the best fit for you.  Two-year colleges such as South Central College typically have an open door policy, so if you submit all the application materials, you will be accepted to the college.  Some specific programs, such as Nursing, however, have additional admission requirements and criteria and may not accept students into the program right away.


Academics
South Central College offers 36 different academic programs between the two campuses.  Some of these programs include Associate of Arts (designed for students who want to transfer to a four-year college or university), Culinary Arts, Intensive Care Paramedic Technician, Multimedia Technology, Welding, Office Administration & Technology, Community Social Service, and Business Management.

Athletics
South Central College does not have any intercollegiate athletics.

Student Life
South Central College has lots of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in, including Spotlight (student newspaper), Campus Activities Board, Business Professionals of American, Film Club, Student Nurses Association, and Student Senate.  You can visit South Central’s Student Life Facebook page to get updates about what’s happening on campus!