E-commerce professionals work for brands, businesses and large corporations to maximize a company’s Internet exposure. These professionals may be hired to create a Web presence or provide email marketing and monitor website traffic. Online degree and certificate programs are common in this field, and typically combine online coursework with hands-on professional training. (1-5)
E-Commerce Program Overviews
With the expansion of Internet sales in the last decade, jobs in online sales, marketing and consulting are evolving and expanding. (1, 4, 5) Online programs in e-commerce are easy to find at the certificate, associate’s and bachelor’s levels. These programs may be available in general e-commerce, e-commerce and Web design, e-commerce marketing, electronic e-commerce and e-commerce technology. (1-4) While not as common, master’s degree programs are also available, but these programs typically focus on e-commerce technology. (5)
These online programs generally delve into multi-channel marketing, social networking, online selling, Internet marketing, organizational behavior and multimedia development. Real-world training may be gained through internships or online simulations. Some programs allow students to gain experience working in a team environment through online projects, and master’s programs may incorporate a thesis. (1-5)
Career Options
There are a wide range of career possibilities for e-commerce graduates, depending on the student’s specialization and level of education. Certificate, associate’s and bachelor’s holders could find positions as Web advertisers, Web designers, e-commerce sales professionals, e-commerce consultants and webmasters. (-4) Master’s graduates should have the technical knowledge and enhanced business prospective to qualify for positions as software developers, computer security analysts and e-commerce analysts. (5)
Salary
Business professionals, including those in e-commerce, are projected to see an average growth from 2012-2022 – of 13 percent – according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Some careers will see higher projections. For example, market research analysts are projected to see a 32 percent growth that decade, while management analysts have a 19 percent growth. (6-7) Profiled below are the 2013 mean wages for five typical positions for e-commerce program graduates, according to the BLS. (8)
• Advertising, Marketing and Sales Managers: $124,640
• Web Developers: $67,540
• Management Analysts: $89,990
• Sales Representatives, Service: $68,680
• Computer Systems Analysts: $85,320
Work Life
E-commerce professionals can be generally found in all types of businesses, including finance, management, sales, manufacturing, advertising and website creation, to name a few. These individuals typically work in an office setting; however, frequent travel to client locations could also be part of the job. Overtime is common to meet deadlines and marketing schedules. Some positions, such as Web developers and software developers, may require extended work hours. (6, 7)
Citations
1. Ferris State University, E-Commerce Marketing Certificate, on the Internet at http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/statewide/programs/certificate/ecommarketing.htm (visited on October 21, 2014)
2. North Hennepin Community College, Web Graphic Design and E-Commerce Certificate, on the Internet at http://www.nhcc.edu/academic-programs/degrees-and-certificates/art-and-design/web-graphic-design-programming-cert (visited on October 21, 2014)
3. UALR Benton, E-Commerce Degree, on the Internet at http://ualr.edu/benton/e-commerce-degree/ (visited on October 21, 2014)
4. FLCC, E-Commerce AAS, on the Internet at http://www.flcc.edu/academics/ecommerce/ (visited on October 21, 2012)
5. Towson University, Computer Science MS – E-Commerce, on the Internet at http://grad.towson.edu/program/master/cosc-cecm-ms/ (visited on October 21, 2012)
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Management Analysts, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm#tab-3 (visited October 21, 2014).
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Market Research Analysts, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm#tab-3 (visited October 21, 2014).
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2014-15 Edition, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2013, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/2013/may/oes_nat.htm#11-0000 (visited October 21, 2014).