Student Q&A: Five Things to Know About Point Park University's Marketing and Sales Program Tuesday, March 21, 2023

For students who wish to explore the creative, strategic side of the business world, a marketing and sales degree from Point Park University's Rowland School of Business provides a strong foundation for building a career in an in-demand field.

Advertising, promotions and marketing jobs are expected to grow by 10% by 2031 across the country, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To meet that demand, the experienced faculty at Point Park train the next generation of marketing and sales leaders through real-world-focused curriculum grounded in best practices and experiences from their own careers in the industry. Class projects center on real-world clients and practical application of course concepts, and faculty provide meaningful networking opportunities and guest speakers to enhance students' learning.

"I absolutely recommend Point Park's marketing and sales program to anyone interested in the field," said Morgan Smith '24, a marketing and sales major, public relations, advertising and social media minor and Seneca Valley Senior High School alumna. "It has given me so much experience and confidence that I will carry with me in the future. I truly feel career-ready because of what I've learned from passionate professors like Dorene Ciletti and others who have made my experience at Point Park so wonderful."

Students are also given ample opportunities to flex their growing skill set through regional and national marketing and sales competitions. So far this academic year:  

• Smith and Jordan Komisarski '24, with help from peer coach Kamryn Taylor '24, won the America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge regional competition and took second place in state finals, hosted at the state capitol. Their campaign concept, "PAuse the Stigma," in response to the competition's theme of "Lead PA: The Future is YOUth," addressed youth mental health with a connection to nature. All three students excelled in last year's competition, too.
• Taylor also took first place in her division in the first round of the Steel City Sales Challenge, a regional roleplay competition for college students interested in sales careers. She finished fifth overall.   
• In the RNMKRS Virtual Sales Competition, Natalea Hillen '24 was named speed sell regional champion and a top 25 national finalist, while Benjamin Kasaback was a regional roleplay winner and speed sell top 100 national finalist. 

In the Q&A below, the students describe the top five benefits of Point Park's marketing and sales program. 

Coursework and extracurricular opportunities are focused on real-world application.

From day one, marketing and sales students at Point Park are immersed in relevant coursework. 

"The marketing and sales program offers so many great learning experiences that have boosted my confidence, such as in-class simulations, mock interviews, role-playing and creating marketing strategies for companies," said Smith, who holds social media influencer positions with American Eagle Outfitters and Statusphere. "These activities have all played an overwhelming role in my success." 

"The coursework I have completed over the past three years has been true to real-life careers," said Komisarski '24, a marketing and sales major, social media minor and McDowell High School alumna. "For example, in the class Professional Selling, we used RNMKRS, a virtual sales simulation app, to practice the seven-step sales process."

Other marketing and sales courses include:

• Principles of Marketing
• Buyer Behavior
• Digital Marketing
• Creativity and Product Innovation
• Marketing Research and Analytics
• Advanced Marketing Management

Outside of the classroom, students put their skills to the test through competitions, internships and other campus activities.

"The opportunities for growth here are incredible," said Taylor, a marketing and sales major and Hopewell High School alumna. "The marketing and sales program gives you opportunities not only to build your knowledge about the field but to practice those skills in hands-on settings."

Faculty are invested in your success. 

Point Park faculty bring a wealth of industry experience to the classroom, as well as a genuine interest in students' aspirations.

"They're very knowledgeable in their field, and they share from their real-life professional work experience," Komisarski said. "The class sizes have an average of 15 to 20 students, allowing you to know your professors on a personal level and establish a connection with them." 

Smith, Taylor, Komisarski and Hillen all rave about Dr. Ciletti's teaching style. Hillen, a broadcast journalism major, marketing and sales minor and Peters Township High School alumna, appreciates how she incorporates many real-world scenarios into classroom instruction so that students can apply the knowledge they gain from assignments and quizzes.

"Dr. Ciletti has extensive knowledge in the marketing and sales world," Komisarski said. "She always goes above and beyond in her classes, giving each of us a career-focused education. I am lucky to call Dr. Ciletti a mentor, as she has shared her knowledge with me to help me succeed here at Point Park. She has spent countless hours with me on the phone and on Microsoft Teams calls to help prepare me for competitions. She even helped me land a marketing internship for this semester at Pathways of Southwestern Pennsylvania."  

You have access to the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center. 

Students competing in marketing and sales competitions utilize the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center, a state of-the-art facility located on the ground floor of West Penn Hall, home to the Rowland School of Business. The 1,300-square-foot space features three office-sized simulation spaces, a conference room space and a technology-enhanced training room. Video can be captured throughout the center to allow for enhanced feedback and evaluation, and the technology allows for virtual experiences. 

"We have held meetings, completed roleplays and practiced presentations all within the new center," Smith said. "It’s a great feeling knowing that we have a school that wants to not only support us academically, but also in our endeavors as a competing sales team." 

You will grow your professional network. 

The curriculum in the marketing and sales program is relationship-based, so students jump right into learning how to network effectively, meeting contacts through courses and activities along the way.

"Due to the small size class ratio, building relationships with professors can lead to great networking and career opportunities in the future," Hillen said.

"During the America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge, I learned how to build connections with real companies and strengthen my public speaking skills," Smith said. 

"These competitions are an amazing way to get your name out there into the field," Taylor said. 

You will graduate with a career-ready skill set.

Students can expect to graduate from the marketing and sales program with a solid foundational knowledge of the field and the business savvy needed to successfully apply their skills.

"I highly recommend Point Park's marketing and sales program because of the many opportunities available to all students," Komisarski said. "The faculty take the time to get to know students and their goals for the future, a level of care that students at larger universities may not get to experience. The faculty have given me opportunities, experience and connections that have been invaluable to my career already, proving that Point Park holds true to its motto: Career-Ready. That’s the POINT."

Learn more about the Michael P. Pitterich Center in the video below:

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