AMERICUS — South Georgia Technical College’s (SGTC) marketing management class recently had the privilege of hosting Andrea Tatum, operations supervisor of Concentra Solutions; and Paul Fitzgerald, SGTC Bookstore manager, to their buying and merchandising class. Mary Cross is the instructor for SGTC’s marketing management program on the Americus campus, and invited these two speakers to share their knowledge of workplace skills and retail/merchandising experience.
Tatum focused on the facets of a good employee and told the students what they could expect from their future employers upon graduation from South Georgia Tech.
“Take an interest in where you’re applying,” she encouraged them, regarding the job application process, stressing the importance of knowing something about your potential future workplace in an interview.
Paul Fitzgerald’s presentation pertained to the retail environment and buying process, and he detailed the steps he goes through in order to choose which items to purchase for sale in SGTC’s bookstore, going through the purchasing process, receiving items, and displaying them for sale in the bookstore. He explained pricing markup and which types of items would have higher or lower markups in order to stay competitive in the market.
Individuals who are interested in the world of promotions, advertising, public relations, and other related areas are exposed to a wealth of information in SGTC’s marketing management program and are able to gain hands-on experience in the field of marketing management through a variety of opportunities. Americus campus marketing management instructor Mary Cross and Crisp County Center marketing management instructor Karen Bloodworth frequently invite industry leaders to speak to their classes, and field trips to various businesses help students get a glimpse of marketing efforts implemented outside the classroom. Internship opportunities are also available, which give students even more hands-on experience in the field of marketing management.