B.I.T.S. News for Students
Official Newsletter for Students of Purdue University Global’s
School of Business and Information Technology
August 2023 Issue
Official Newsletter for Students of Purdue University Global’s
School of Business and Information Technology
August 2023 Issue
Did you know we have a SBIT Student Advisory Board?
The School of Business and Information Technology (SBIT) Student Advisory Board consists of students in Business programs who serve on engagement committees, and provide recommendations on pressing student issues to the Assistant Dean of Students Office, give feedback regarding trends in their courses, and gather and share ideas that will improve the overall student experience.
Luke Peterson
Master's Degree in Cybersecurity Management
Click here to read "Luke's Story"
article by David Ching
"Would YOU like to be featured in our Student Spotlight Stories?"
Submit to the Spotlight
SBIT Degree Programs
What can I do in this Occupation?
August: Marketing
Marketing
Marketing is both a concept and a set of techniques covering selling, sales management, marketing research, new product development, product management, pricing, packaging, advertising and sales promotion, distribution, consumer guidance, after-sales service, and public relations. Marketing covers therefore a very broad spectrum of business activities.
Successful organizations today:
Know the wants, likes and dislikes of their customers.
Know who their customers are.
Know where their customers are.
Know what motivates the customer to buy their products or service.
Know all about their competitors.
Keep in touch with changing circumstances that may necessitate changes to their product or marketing strategy.
General marketing
No individual can process all the necessary knowledge, experience and attributes to be the complete marketer. The very nature of marketing demands a high degree of specialization. However, the entire marketing effort must be co-ordinate by the marketing director / manager to be effective.
Product and brand management is typical functions which co-ordinates the efforts of the various specialists. Product managers are, in the final analysis, responsible for the success or failure of a product. They must control the policies regarding product packaging, branding, pricing, advertising, promotions, and distribution. In fact, everything to do with a product, from the idea stage onwards.
A prerequisite for a career in product or brand management is good knowledge of marketing, budgeting, and some direct sales experience. As the product managers are usually held responsible for the success or failure of a product, a high degree of responsibility, capability and experience is necessary. Product specialists or managers must be able to keep an even mind when under pressure.
Courses: MT219 Introduction to Marketing
MT450 Marketing Management
Concentrations:
Digital and Social Media Management
Global Marketing Management
Digital Communications *
Public Relations *
-* Non SBIT Programs
New product development
Research examines a need (often discovers it) and provides ideas and facts concerning the product. However, such facts must be converted into a product or service. Research and product development therefore work hand in hand. Product development also entails the collecting of information on competitors' products.
Large organizations have staff who specialize in new product developments, particularly high technology industries, where products change rapidly. A career in product development requires an aptitude for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering (depending on the industry type).
Promotion activities
Research and development produce a product that has been tested and retested in the "laboratory" and in the marketplace. Up to this stage of a product's life a total loss situation exists. It is often said that nothing happens in business until something is sold. This is the task of the Marketing Department. They plan, organize, and evaluate promotions.
Courses: MT359 Integrated Promotional Communications
Advertising
Today, advertising is also referred to as marketing communication, which includes advertising, sales promotion, personal selling, sales directed methods, publicity, and public relations.
Advertising is the mass communication tool of marketing. The product or service is promoted by using newspapers, radio, television and cinema, which means that many more people can be reached.
Advertising agencies are specialist organizations that provide their clients with specialist knowledge to ensure effective advertising. Larger organizations have their own advertising departments or advertising specialists within a marketing department.
Opportunities in the advertising business are varied, from the specialist who decides on the best media to use, to the artist, writer, production staff and accounts executive whose function it is to co-ordinate the program and generally looks after the client. It is important to take note that there do not exist as many career opportunities in advertising as in marketing itself.
Another form of advertising is the direct mail business which is advertising aimed at the market in a more personal, direct manner by using letters and pamphlets.
Courses: MT359 Integrated Promotional Communications
CM202 Mass Media and Broadcasting
Sales promotion
Even at the point of sale, efforts are made to influence the buying decision of the consumer. The consumer-products industry particularly use sale promotions, competitions, and special offers to convert customer-purchasing power into effective demand.
Opportunities in this field are usually found within the marketing departments of the consumer products industries, although some organizations do exist who provide these services to clients. Advertising agencies usually have specialists who provide clients with the necessary know-how.
Courses: MT359 Integrated Promotional Communications
Public relations
The function of public relations is to build bridges of understanding, goodwill and awareness between a company and the public whom it wishes to influence. Although it is important for the public relations officers to obtain as much editorial comment as they can, this is only a part of their activities. Under the overall umbrella of marketing, the public relations function is expected to make its contribution towards effective marketing of the organization.
Public relations are more often than not used, although many organizations do employ their own specialists. Public relations must not only keep the firm's "public" informed of new products, policy changes and staff changes, but it must keep top management informed on public reaction to the company and its products. This therefore necessitates close contact with the upper level of management.
The qualities needed for a successful career in public relations are the ability to communicate and socialize at all levels, integrity, organizational ability and a creative, alert mind. It is difficult to enter the public relations field directly and often one has to enter through an administrative position.
Concentration: Public Relations *
Courses: MT359 Integrated Promotional Communications
CM455 Digital Public Relations and Communications
CM350 Public Relations Strategies
CM355 Public Relations Case Studies
Selling
The personal selling activity is one of the oldest professions, and still the most effective in most industries. Selling as a profession is a very demanding, but extremely rewarding one. Salesmen usually rank among the top earners in most companies.
A selling career usually begins behind the counter, as a salesclerk, a merchandiser, a sales representative, or door-to-door selling. Many companies insist that their salespeople work in the factory, credit control and sales offices before being sent out "on the road". The important aspect is that no salesperson should be sent out without the necessary knowledge and training. Special training is given in sales techniques.
Courses: MT453 Professional Sales
MT243 Sports Sponsorship & Sales
Concentrations: Business Development
Sales management
The task of the sales manager is to do forecasting and budgeting, organize the sales force, recruiting and selecting the sales force, training the sales force, sales compensation, sales territory, leading, motivating and supervising the sales force. They also do the evaluation of sales performance.
Career advancement is made through various levels from supervisor to area manager, field sales manager, national sales manager and sales director. Organizations today expect their sales management to have at least a reasonable knowledge of marketing. Most organizations run regular sales training courses for their staff, however there are many organizations that specialize in sales training. Sales experience is often regarded as essential before one can enter other aspects of the marketing function. However, salesmanship is on its own a very worthwhile and rewarding career.
Courses: MT455 Management of Sales Teams
Concentrations: Business Development
Distribution
The moving of products to the final consumer is known as distribution. This is an important function as it is essential for the success of the product that it is available to the consumer at the right time and place.
A career in distribution can involve a great deal of varied experience from sales to buying to wholesale, transport, and many other business activities.
Concentration: Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Courses: MT433 Global Supply Chain Mgt
MT434 Logistics and Distribution Mgt
MT436 Purchasing and Vendor Mgt
MT437 Strategic Warehouse Mgt
MT438 Supply Chain Analytics
Marketing research
One of the most vital functions of marketing is to establish facts upon which management can base its decisions, thus reducing the risk. This fact-finding activity is called marketing research. Marketing research is therefore used to determine facts concerning the consumer, the consumer's awareness of the products or service and effectiveness of advertising. The uses of marketing research are vast.
Several companies specialize in research and conduct projects on behalf of their clients. Some of the larger organizations have their own marketing research specialists within their marketing department. The opportunities in this field are numerous and persons skilled in the techniques of marketing research are in continuous demand.
As most research is based on sampling the population and applying findings to the population, an aptitude for subjects such as Statistics, Economics, Sociology and Psychology (especially concerning consumer behavior) is necessary.
Courses: MT355 Marketing Research
CM208 Communication Research Skills
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Persons who wish to continue using their minds intelligently and independently after metric or after completion of further studies, especially those who are versatile and have the ability to communicate with people on any level, should consider a career in the vast field of marketing. Either alone or as part of a team, marketing workers must be able to analyze problems objectively and apply various techniques to their solution. Rational thinking is a prerequisite in this field.
Where can I work?
In any industry that markets products or services such as:
Industrial
Industrial manufacturing (products that are manufactured to manufacture other products such as steel, spare parts and material for jewelry).
Engineering related industries
Construction (building, plumbing and civil engineering)
Services
Companies involved in the manufacturing and preparation of medical and pharmaceutical products.
Companies involved in supplying products.
Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)
Manufacturing anything people need, buy and use every day.
Wholesale and retailing.
Caterers.
Grocery stores and clothes.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Marketers often create their own work opportunities by starting their own businesses. This ranges from selling at flea markets (many students do this to earn an income while studying) to import and export companies and marketing consultancies.
New Cybersecurity Non-Credit Courses - Sign up and earn your badge!
The Purdue Global School of Business & Information Technology recently launched two non-credit courses. These free courses are available through the Purdue Global Alternative Credit Center (ACC). If you have not registered for courses on the ACC before, you must create an account to register for a course.
Cybersecurity Awareness Micro-credential You will be introduced to computing, networking, and internet concepts; discuss cybersecurity concepts and threats; and identify protection best practices. Understanding these concepts will help you to protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your organization(s).
Personal Cybersecurity Best Practices Micro-credential You will be introduced to defensive strategies for cybersecurity threats like viruses, ransomware, social engineering attacks, and identify theft. Applying these best practices will help you to protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your organization(s). This course is intended for learners that have taken the cybersecurity awareness micro-credential or have foundational cybersecurity knowledge.
Two additional non-credit courses are expected to launch in July 2023:
● Securing Your Home Network Micro-credential
● A Career in Cybersecurity Micro-credential.
*Some of this information was prepared using ChatGPT and has been edited for publication here.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
The Diversity & Belonging Action Committee (DBAC) in the School of Business and Information Technology was formed early this year. The committee consists of 19 members including faculty, staff, and students. The four student DBAC members are also members of the SBIT Student Advisory Board and include Stefani Moore, Shanell Johnson, Bambi Cranford, and Cathy Rollins.
MISSION (DBAC)
The mission of the Diversity & Belonging Action Committee (DBAC) in the School of Business and Information Technology is to ensure that all forms of diversity are valued and respected to foster and encourage a community of inclusion and belonging that supports opportunities for increased faculty, staff, and student engagement.
We look forward to keeping you up to date with our DEI initiatives.
Dr. Bea Bourne
bbourne@purdueglobal.edu
Professor and Senior Lead for DEI in the School of Business and IT
This micro-credential provides knowledge, skills, and practical application in areas related to cultural competence and diversity. The micro-credential will equip you with the skills to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures and become aware of one’s world view in order to increase self-efficacy related to the approach to equity and inclusion.
PG success coaches support students by ensuring they are meeting their academic goals by working with them during intentional coaching meetings. The coaches also help connect students with resources on campus and in their community. Our coaches are trained in basic needs support, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and the best practices in student support. Our goal is to ensure all basic needs of students are met before tackling academic needs, resulting in higher student success and persistence.
Success coaching is a strengths-based approach for supporting students. In this model, success coaches form relationships with students, and guide them through their educational journey. Success coaches help students set and achieve academic goals, identify and overcome barriers, and ultimately support the day-to-day challenges associated with being a student.
October 21, 2023
West Lafayette, IN
Registration opens August 1.
Venue: Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University
Eligible graduates must have completed online registration by August 18, 2023, to participate.
See Notes and Conditions section below for important information.
Oct. 16: Virtual Photo Booth
Oct. 17: Last Lecture & Virtual Toast
Oct. 18: Virtual Bingo
Oct. 19: Shout Out Board
Oct. 20: Onsite Events:
Black & Gold Celebration
(5:00–6:30 pm ET)
Military Appreciation Dinner
(7:00–8:30 pm ET)
Oct. 20: Special Message
(check your inbox)
Student clubs are open for undergraduate or graduate students of Purdue University Global.
Affinity groups are open for all undergraduate and graduate students of Purdue University Global who are interested in supporting specific identity groups.
Associations are open for undergraduate or graduate students of Purdue University Global who align with the specific requirements.
Student Organization this August: Student Life
Did you know there is a Student Advisory Board?
For more - Click Here
Hints for using the
PG Library!
Have you seen the "Issues an Controversies" section in the Library?
Now available in the PG Library! Issues & Controversies, from Infobase Learning and Facts on File, offers extensive, exclusive, and objective analysis of hundreds of today's hot topics and conflicts by presenting the key facts, arguments, history, and current context of today's most critical issues, along with a wealth of primary sources, videos, and relevant media coverage, making it an ideal resource for research papers, debate preparation, and persuasive writing assignments.
A cross-curricular resource, Issues & Controversies provides in-depth coverage of hot-button issues related to business, culture, education, health, media, politics, science, technology, and much more. Each article presents both sides of an issue clearly and without bias to inspire thought-provoking discussions. Entries begin with a "Pro/Con Article," and depending on the topic, the resources include primary sources, court cases, podcasts, videos, infographics, editorials, and news articles.
You can access Issues & Controversies now at library.purdueglobal.edu/fof_issues
Purdue Global and Career Network
Career Services connects with LinkedIn series for enhancing your search.
(Click the title for more info!)
Did you know that if you are a student in any IT-related program that you have an option to do an internship as you near the end of your program? If you just started or are moving quickly towards graduation, you will have an option to take an internship course vs. a capstone course to finalize your degree program. Before making a decision, we encourage you to check out the external internship options that are ever-increasingly available, often with remote work. However, we also provide an internal option for all students and it is all remote, just like your academic program.
The Purdue Global Internship Program (PGIP) gives students hands-on, work-based tasks and projects to further develop their education in their degree program. Students work in teams along with faculty and alumni mentors. PGIP seeks to be a quality-based service organization providing exceptional results to nonprofit organizations, as well as internal services to Purdue University Global. The virtual company has a robust infrastructure for student interns to manage and explore. PGIP has both Azure and AWS servers, and access to a wide variety of vendor tools and labs such as Try Hack Me, Cloud Academy, Pluralsight, ACI Learning, etc. platforms. Depending on the student’s individual skills and goals, tools and resources are made available for anyone who is seeking to add a new certification, acquire new skills, or take on a leadership role; all of which enhance their career readiness. If you are interested in learning more about PGIP please visit their website: https://www.pgip-tech.com/
If you are interested in signing up for an internship in an upcoming term, please complete this form and your advisor will be notified to schedule you accordingly: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflpjLreBCM6gl6xGbtR9OrYPEiti7rrIZIuM-tnOKjSO_xEQ/viewform
Podcasts From Professionals
WISDOM & EXPERIENCE SPEAKS…
Partnering to build a world where all students can learn from everyone around them.
The goal of PGIPods is not only to entertain and inform but also to provide a training ground for students in business and information technology. Each term, students work as interns, honing their skills by becoming on-air personalities, advertising salespeople, technicians, and program or website developers.
Listen to educational, business, technology, and entrepreneurial podcasts by students, teachers, and professionals.
PGIPods is student and alumni-run and features podcasts as well as programming by students, staff, and faculty on a variety of topics, including books, current affairs, self-help, travel, business, University events, and messages from station personalities and listeners.
MISSION:
To create a literary journal that encourages and celebrates creativity in the diverse Purdue University Global Community; each publication will showcase written and visual narratives. Publication selections are based on the quality and insight of the narrative, rather than on genre or style requirements.
Digital badges are visual representations of an accomplishment or credential you have earned that has been issued and endorsed by an organization in a digital, shareable format. As a student at Purdue Global, you may earn a digital badge for several accomplishments, including making the Dean's or Chancellor's List or earning a micro-credential. Micro-credentials are smaller groupings of courses that can “stack” into or fulfill the requirements of other degree programs (such as a bachelor's degree). With these accomplishments represented by a digital badge, they can be easily shared with and verified by others. PG issues digital badges through Credly, our digital badge platform. To learn more, visit this page. If you have questions about digital badges, you can send an email to digitalcred@purdueglobal.edu.
Who are they? SAS was once known as The Center for Disability Services (CDS). The department name was recently changed to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to create a more inclusive environment that provides accessibility to all. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at Purdue Global is the primary office responsible for the coordination of services for students with disabilities. Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Purdue Global will provide reasonable accommodations for students who have met the eligibility and verification requirements of SAS.
What do they do? SAS works directly with the student to provide accommodations that aid the student in being successful in their classes. SAS works as a liaison between the student and their instructors and notifies instructors of the student's approved accommodations each term. Students with temporary medical conditions can also request accommodations on a temporary basis.
How do you request an accommodation? Students with disabilities are responsible for requesting an accommodation. If you are a potential Purdue Global student, or already enrolled at Purdue Global, and are seeking accommodation(s) due to a diagnosed disability, you may request to be referred to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) through your university representative and/or contact SAS directly by telephone, or email. Actively enrolled students may also submit a self-referral to SAS through their student portal. SAS will then send an email to the student with information about requesting accommodations and will provide the required accommodation request forms attached to the email.
Purdue Global Contacts
Registration Issues: 866-522-7747
Textbook Inquiry: Student Support Desk or Academic Advising at 866-522-7747
Technical Issues: 866-522-7747-Support and Solutions
Student Accounts: 800-817-8272
Office of Student Support: 866-522-7747
Financial aid: 866-458-2008 option #2, or at fastudentsupport@purdueglobal.edu
Student Connections
Student Store and Discounts: https://campus.purdueglobal.edu/content/student-store
Purdue Global Blog: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/