Pursuing a career in Business, Finance, Sales, and Marketing can present a wide range of different options for careers, organizations, and professional development. Organizations large and small often seek out students interested in these areas to help them reach their business’ goals and provide aspiring professionals the opportunity to experience an organization in action. Accounting, Financial Analysis, Risk Management, Marketing, Operations, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Sales are only a sampling of the many different internship and job opportunities offered to students interested in exploring this Career Community. There are many organizations that offer opportunities for professional development and facilitate connections between young professionals and individuals willing to share their experiences in Business, Finance, Sales, and Marketing. There are also career resources students can use to learn more about their area of interest, research internship and job opportunities, and engage in experiential learning. The American Marketing Association and the Center for Career Development’s “Engage in Experiential Learning” guide are two organizations/resources that can helpful as you explore this Career Community!
The American Marketing Association is an example of a professional organization that offers many career planning and professional opportunities for students interested in Marketing. The national organization offers virtual training programs, webinars, and conferences for marketing professionals to learn more about topics such as social media strategy, digital marketing, marketing in higher education, building brand engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their site also includes marketing articles, blogs, and certification programs. There are fees associated with some of these programs, though students are typically given a discounted rate if they choose to become members. There is also a Connecticut chapter of the American Marketing Association. It offers access to the national organization’s publications along with local networking events and newsletters to connect with Marketing professionals in the CT area. The CT chapter also a mentoring program, member directory, and job board with built-in career exploration tools. Many local or state-wide branches of professional organizations love when students to get involved in their events and connect with local business leaders.
The Center for Career Development’s “Engage in Experiential Learning” guide is another great resource for students to learn more about unique opportunities within their major. There are multiple sections within the guide that link to different career resources related to experiential learning. There are two sections related to Internships and Co-ops with links to information on starting a job search, gaining credit, and finding scholarships. There are additional pages for Research & Fellowships and Community Outreach & Volunteering, both of which could be unique experiential learning experiences for students interested in Business, Finance, Sales, and Marketing. For instance, the “Research & Fellowships” section links to information on how to create your own research opportunity or participate in established fellowship programs, such as the UConn TIP Technology Innovation Fellows Program. Additional resources within the guide include information on conducting informational interviews or job shadowing, getting involved in on-campus activities, and finding international internship, research, and fellowship opportunities. Students exploring the Business, Finance, Sales, and Marketing career community may be interested in exploring business opportunities listed on the Experiential Global Learning website, such as Summer Business in London, Business-Spanish Program at CEU Madrid, or virtual internship experiences. The “Engage in Experiential Learning” guide is a great resource for students of all majors to learn about the myriad of unique ways they can gain valuable career experiences.
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