South Carolina's Marketing and Sales pathway prepares students for careers in advertising, digital marketing, sales management, marketing research, and retail operations. This dynamic program teaches students to analyze consumer behavior, develop marketing strategies, create promotional campaigns, and build customer relationships. With businesses throughout South Carolina requiring marketing expertise to reach customers in increasingly digital marketplaces, marketing skills are essential across all industries.
The pathway integrates traditional marketing principles with contemporary digital marketing strategies including social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization, and data analytics. Students develop both creative and analytical abilities, learning to craft compelling marketing messages while using data to measure campaign effectiveness. The curriculum includes hands-on projects where students create marketing plans, develop promotional materials, and execute campaigns for real clients.
South Carolina's Marketing and Sales programs often operate school stores or student-run businesses that provide authentic retail and sales experiences. Students participate in DECA competitions that test marketing knowledge and professional skills. Graduates are prepared for entry-level marketing and sales positions, continuation to four-year marketing degree programs, or entrepreneurial ventures in retail or e-commerce.
Marketing and Sales at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
South Carolina's Marketing and Sales standards align with national marketing education standards developed by the Marketing Education Association and emphasize marketing fundamentals, consumer behavior, product planning, pricing strategies, promotion, distribution, selling techniques, and marketing analytics. State standards prepare students for industry certifications and postsecondary marketing education while developing professional skills and business ethics.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Marketing 1: Marketing Foundations | MKT-101 |
| Marketing 2: Digital Marketing and Social Media | MKT-201 |
| Marketing 3: Sales and Customer Relations | MKT-301 |
| Marketing 4: Marketing Management and Analytics | MKT-401 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Illustrator
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - InDesign
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
- ✓Google Analytics Certification
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Word
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - PowerPoint
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Marketing Coordinator
Entry LevelSalary range: $48,600 - $98,530
Adjusted for cost of living: $52,157
Social Media Specialist
Entry LevelSalary range: $61,960 - $103,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $66,495
Sales Representative
Entry LevelSalary range: $41,880 - $92,330
Adjusted for cost of living: $44,945
Marketing Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $89,690 - $172,780
Adjusted for cost of living: $133,076
Retail Store Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $36,030 - $57,940
Adjusted for cost of living: $49,807
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students complete internships with marketing agencies, retail companies, and business marketing departments throughout South Carolina. Work-based learning includes operating school stores or student businesses, creating marketing campaigns for local organizations, conducting market research projects, and summer sales positions. DECA chapter activities provide additional entrepreneurship and leadership experiences.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in DECA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs
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Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in South Carolina
Business Management and Administration
South Carolina's Business Management and Administration pathway, part of the modernized Management & Entrepreneurship cluster, prepares students for careers in business operations, management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. This comprehensive program develops essential business competencies including financial literacy, business communication, project management, marketing principles, and organizational leadership. As businesses throughout South Carolina seek employees with strong foundational business skills, this pathway provides critical workforce preparation. The program emphasizes both traditional business management concepts and contemporary skills including digital marketing, data analytics, global business operations, and innovation management. Students develop professional skills through hands-on projects, business simulations, and interactions with local business leaders. The curriculum prepares students for business careers across all industries while also supporting those interested in launching their own entrepreneurial ventures. South Carolina's Business Management pathway integrates academic rigor with practical application, ensuring students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities essential for business success. Graduates are prepared for entry-level business positions, advanced business certifications, or continuation to four-year business degree programs.
Management & EntrepreneurshipDigital Art and Design
South Carolina's Digital Art and Design pathway prepares students for careers in graphic design, web design, multimedia production, and digital media. This creative program combines artistic skills with technical proficiency, teaching students to communicate visual messages using industry-standard design software and contemporary digital media tools. With businesses across all sectors requiring digital content and visual communication, design skills are increasingly valuable in South Carolina's economy. The pathway progresses from design fundamentals through advanced digital media production. Students develop skills in graphic design principles, digital imaging, web design, video production, animation, and interactive media. The curriculum emphasizes both creative problem-solving and technical execution, preparing students to create professional-quality visual content for diverse audiences and platforms. Students build comprehensive design portfolios showcasing their skills and creative vision. South Carolina's Digital Art and Design programs connect students with design professionals through industry partnerships, guest speakers, and portfolio reviews. Graduates are prepared for entry-level design positions, freelance creative work, or continuation to four-year design or digital media degree programs. The pathway develops both creative expression and marketable technical skills applicable across numerous industries.
Arts, Entertainment, & DesignRelated Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticCareer and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are national organizations that provide CTE students with opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, community service, and career preparation. Recognized CTSOs include DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA, each serving students in specific career cluster areas.
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