Accredited online colleges and universities offer General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations degrees like the Associate of Arts in General Merchandising, Sales and Related Marketing, Bachelor of Arts in Sales and Marketing Operations and the Bachelor of Arts in Sales, Distribution and Marketing Operations. Additional degrees you can get through online college programs include the Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services and a Bachelor of Science in Sales, Distribution and Marketing Operations.
If you have previous General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations postsecondary training you can complete shorter online programs and earn credentials like the Certificate in Marketing Strategy. Should you have a passion for fashion, consider majoring in Fashion Merchandising at accredited online colleges and universities.
Core courses you might take as you study to earn your online college degree include:
In addition to gaining brand management, market research and customer service skills, you can gain retailing, financial management and marketing skills when you complete General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations online programs. You can also acquire client negotiation, analytical thinking, advertising and public relations skills.
Jobs these skills can help you secure with quality employers are fashion merchandiser, public relations manager and marketing manager. You can work with small, mid-size or large employee teams. Additionally, you can use your skills to work online or offline as an independent contractor.
Management positions may offer you the greatest opportunities for career and salary growth. Organizations that offer networking and training support to sales, merchandising and marketing professionals include the American Marketing Association, Business Marketing Association, Direct Marketing Association and the eMarketing Association.
Advertising and promotions managers earned a median annual salary of $105,960 as of May 2008 according to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers earned approximately $125,130 a year. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that recent marketing college graduates earned $43,325 as of 2009. Jobs for advertising, promotions, marketing public relations and sales managers are expected to grow by 13 percent from 2008 through 2018.