Career Possibilities
Brand Manager
Brand Managers apply marketing techniques to a specific product, product line, or brand. They seek to increase the product's perceived value and thereby increase brand equity. Brands have an implied promise that the level of expected quality will continue with future purchases of the same product. Brand Managers are accountable for a brand's profitability. By contrast Marketing Managers are allocated budgets from above to manage and execute. In this regard, Brand Managers often have broader and more strategic roles than Marketing Managers.
Source: Adapted from Wikipedia
Human Resources Manager
Every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. However, many enterprises are too large to permit close contact between top management and employees. Human resources managers and specialists provide this connection. In the past, these workers performed the administrative function of an organization, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Today's human resources workers manage these tasks, but, increasingly, they also consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Lawyer
Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in our society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their clients. Lawyers may specialize in a number of areas, such as probate, international, agricultural, or environmental law. Those specializing in environmental law, for example, may represent interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal and State agencies. These lawyers help clients prepare and file for licenses and applications for approval before certain activities may occur. Some lawyers specialize in the growing field of intellectual property, helping to protect clients' claims to copyrights, biotechnology, product designs, and other discoveries.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Production Manager
Production managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production activities required to produce the vast array of goods. They make sure that production meets output and quality goals while remaining within budget. Depending on the size of the manufacturing plant, production managers may oversee the entire plant or just one area. They devise methods to use the plant's personnel and capital resources to best meet production goals; determine which machines will be used, whether new machines need to be purchased, whether overtime or extra shifts are necessary; and what the sequence of production will be. They monitor the production run to make sure that it stays on schedule and correct any problems that may arise. Part of a production manager's job is to come up with ways to make the production process more efficient. They also monitor product standards and implement quality control programs. They make sure the finished product meets a certain level of quality, and if not, they try to find out what the problem is and find a solution.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Purchasing Manager
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents shop for a living. They buy the goods and services the company or institution needs to either resell to customers or for the establishment's own use. Wholesale and retail buyers purchase goods, such as clothing or electronics, for resale. Purchasing agents buy goods and services for use by their own company or organization; they might buy raw materials for manufacturing or office supplies, for example. Purchasing agents and buyers of farm products purchase goods such as grain, Christmas trees, and tobacco for further processing or resale.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Technical Marketing Representative
Technical Marketing Representatives serve as subject matter experts and lead technical marketing projects. They provide technical knowledge about products at sales meetings, tradeshows, conferences, and webinars. Some specialize in planning, organizing, developing and revising market requirement specifications, customer technical documentation, solution briefs, data sheets, owners' manuals, and product descriptions. They must have the ability to research and analyze technical content and sometimes translate it into layman's terminology. They are called upon to translate technical designs into higher level solutions resulting in increased efficiency or customer satisfaction.
Territorial Sales Representative
Sales representatives are an important part of manufacturers' and wholesalers' success. Regardless of the type of product they sell, sales representatives' primary duties are to make wholesale and retail buyers and purchasing agents interested in their merchandise and to address any of their clients' questions and concerns. Sales representatives demonstrate their products and explain how using those products can reduce costs and increase sales
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Learn more about majoring in Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois
- Department of ACE website
- Courses in ACE
- Degree requirements for students majoring in ACE
