Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing
Choosing a career path can be tricky but everyone has a purpose in life. In the sage words of Yogi Berra, "if you don't know where you're going, you'll be lost when you get there." This week, let’s take a look at careers in Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing. Did you know that Hinds Community College on the Raymond Campus is the only community college in Mississippi offering a degree option in this field?
Automotive marketing technicians perform a variety of tasks making it one of the most versatile fields in the sales and marketing occupations. These technicians are responsible for receiving, stocking, selling and shipping merchandise in the automotive after-market. Specific training will enable technicians to: ascertain the correct part required by the customer, advise the customer according to the description given, read various catalogs to determine the part number and price, measure engine parts, display merchandise, determine correct interchange parts, accept telephone orders and take inventory.
What About Jobs….Are They Out There?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of vehicle and equipment parts sales professionals is projected to grow 17 to 20 percent from 2010 to 2020. That's huge, especially compared to many other sectors! Many of these jobs exist in what is known as the after-market which is a term industry refers to for vehicle maintenance, repairs and sales of accessories and parts after a vehicle is purchased initially. The projected growth in this field is excellent so there are definitely opportunities out there so this is excellent career path to consider as a possibility.
Do You Possess These Skills?
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Customer-service skills
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People skills
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Persistence
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Selling skills
If so, this may just the career choice for you! Because they have constant interaction with people, it is important that automotive marketing technicians have a friendly and outgoing personality that is responsive to the wants and needs of their customers. In addition, auto marketing techs must be persuasive and persistent when selling products. Any sales person should possess a positive attitude with each and every new sales attempt.
What Are My Degree Options?Degree options in the program Automotive Vehicle and Accessories Marketing include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market.
For more information on this program contact Marcus Mott at 601.857.3286 or MPMott@hindscc.edu. Note: This program is taught at the Raymond Campus only.
