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Marketing job in the ski industry

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z[plat]
Posts: 25 - Karma: 10
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So I am a sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. And if you’re not familiar with the program, most people usually study for 5 years (still 8 academic semesters) but within those 5 years they complete 3 six month “co-ops” A co-op is like a real job, more serious and substantial than an internship and my major requires them to be paid. I’m a Business Administration major with concentrations in Marketing and Management and a minor in Sustainable Business Practices. I will be going on co-op this January. So while the school has countless opportunities in Boston, and across the US as well as around the world, very few are specifically in the ski industry.

Ideally, I would like to co-op on the West coast in a marketing/brand management capacity.  (ex. Jen Naftulin for Salomon, or working for Alli Sports)

I am already contacting companies seeing if they could create a position for me, but I need connections! I would be extremely appreciative of anyone who could help me out with who to contact specifically. Any advice for how to try and make this happen or their personal experiences would be awesome!

*Sparknotes: Need connections/advice on how to break into the ski industry a bit with a six month paid position. (co-op at Northeastern University)

Sep 19 2011 3:16PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
lol what the fuck happened up top?
Sep 19 2011 3:21PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,152

good luck getting any company to "create a job for you," especially one that is paid.  We are recovering from a recession after all.  The easiest to obtain would be a position in sales, because it's commission and companies will hire just about anyone with a face for this.

You could get a position for a ski resort pretty easily.  Or, you might want to check out the k2 website for job openings in Seattle because I was on their site recently and they had a ton of job postings.

Sep 19 2011 3:22PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
Copy and paste from a Word doc. It's styling.
Sep 19 2011 3:31PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
oh gotcha
Sep 19 2011 3:33PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,152

here:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ret/2588848196.html

Sep 19 2011 3:48PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,152
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ret/2579056682.html

Sep 19 2011 3:49PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
not trying to be a downer BUT unless you have a good pitch on specificaly how you will benefit the company no one is going to create a job for you.
Sep 19 2011 3:59PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
Jenny from salomn sucks dont be like her if you ever get an equal job.
Sep 19 2011 4:10PM
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z[plat]
Posts: 25 - Karma: 10
Yeahh, struggled a bit with that. That's what happens when you just lurk on Newschoolers and never actually make threads...
Sep 19 2011 4:12PM
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z[plat]
Posts: 25 - Karma: 10
Thanks for the link. I realize its going to be really difficult to do. Obviously its a tough industry to break into, especially trying to get a paid position. There was a co-op for Betty Rides in Oregon for this semester so hopefully that opens up for this spring. But I will be contacting K2 and a lot of other companies. You really think it would be easy to get a marketing position for a ski resort? What's your reasoning? I would be just as down to do that, and I guess it could be considered less "glamorous" so potentially easier to get?
Sep 19 2011 4:18PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51582 - Karma: 161,678
Hit up a small company like line. I'm sure they'd be willing to fire a bunch of people to create a job for you and probably willing to pay you double whatever your worth.



I mean, how could they pass you up?




Hopefully the marketing job involves embeding codes for banners and video promos online.
Sep 19 2011 4:21PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,152

yeah well it's not as glamorous as it sounds, but most ski resorts hire a ton of seasonal staff.  It wouldn't be hard to get a job for one of the hills around here coordinating events like parks comps and stuff. I worked for Summit at Snoqualmie for a while doing marketing-- job fairs/designing stickers/t-shirts, organizing events and staff orientation.  It wasn't hard to get, but it's not like these jobs pay anything, either. Just show up to a job fair-- tis the season.

Sep 19 2011 4:29PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
boom roasted.
Sep 19 2011 5:43PM
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jibnut
Posts: 3038 - Karma: 304
I hate the action sports world. Working in it, I mean.
I've now worked for K2 and Hyperlite. It just isn't my cup 'o' tea, I need to get out sooner or later..
Sep 19 2011 6:32PM
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Steezy_IN_KC
Posts: 2033 - Karma: 1,607
Welcome to the club sweetheart. I am a Business Administration major with a triple minor in marketing, public relations and advertising. Things in our field don't really just spring up, as unfortunate as that is.... However, its just like anything in this world and just being at the right place at the right time. Last December i distinctly remember seeing a post on jiberish's website under an opportunities link or something like that mentioned that they needed a position in the marketing field filled, like everything it was unpaid.

The way i see it, we have two options.
1. Research our ass off looking for that right place affect, then take the unpaid internship or whatever fancy word they use to call "bitch work" and hopefully earn your strips and hopefully a larger bank account.
or
2. Take a job in an unrelated field that is willing to pay money to kids right out of school like ourselves. Then when you have established yourself and created a working resume venture off and do what CEO's do... change career fields and make buku bucks and finally enjoy what we really want!

Best of luck to you... PM me if you need anything or find anything also :)

Sep 19 2011 6:46PM
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
You have a message.
Sep 19 2011 7:16PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
i have far worse advice than probably everyone in this thread, but my friend got his masters in marketing, worked at my shop for 10 months and got a job doing online marketing and google analytics with a rossi rep who started his own marketing company for various action sports companies, so basically i guess just any step into the industry can help is my advice.
Sep 19 2011 7:21PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
i have far worse advice than probably everyone in this thread, but my friend got his masters in marketing, worked at my shop for 10 months and got a job doing online marketing and google analytics with a rossi rep who started his own marketing company for various action sports companies, so basically i guess just any step into the industry can help is my advice.
Sep 19 2011 7:21PM
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z[plat]
Posts: 25 - Karma: 10
Ahh yes I hope it does too! Then if I ever mess up with any kind of social marketing I know there will be a thread promptly complaining about X Company's incompetence on newschoolers.


Sep 19 2011 7:52PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Just being honest here... not mean.

You have about a 3% chance of getting a paid job with a ski company. I say this because 97% of the jobs they would have for marketing, require a degree, and the other 3% are unpaid interships which you would need to convince them you are worth paying for.

You do however stand a chance at a ski resort. They hire lots of jobs seasonally that don't entirely require degrees... Marketing on the other hand is tricky. You may be able to get something in sales. I know that Mammoth is currently hiring an interesting position that doesn't require a degree.

"
Seasonal Position: UNBOUND Entourage

Job Description:

These engaging and energetic dyanamos are the on and off hill hosts of Mammoth's Unbound Terrain Park program, delivering marketing information while promoting Mammoth Youth Action Sports. The Unbound Entourage are the front line faces of The Unbound.

You must be flexible, adventurous, fun loving and passionate about life and Mammoth. Also, an entrepeneurial spirit, creative mind, and responsible work ethic are keys to success as a member of the Unbound Entourage.

It's all about meeting new people --- from athletes to gamers, from doctors to firefighters --- you are the link between these important people and Mammoth!

Informs terrain park and on-hill guests of resort services and special events. Moderates Terrain Park flow, and directs skiers & snowboarders to facilities in the lodges and around the ski area. Serves as an "On-hill" host, assisting with hill safety as well as providing information and direction to our Guests.

Off-hill, delivers promotional information at various Mammoth locations around the mountain and town, from Hyde Lounge to the Quiksilver store to Mammoth Mountain lodging facilities.

Job Requirements:

Previous customer service experience required. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations with guests.

Advanced skiing or snowboarding ability required.

High school diploma or GED equivalent. Exceptional customer service and friendliness."

Sep 19 2011 8:14PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
On that note....


type in internship into the job search box.

Those are all of the current listed internships in the action sports industry (including skiing). I don't see any that are paid... but maybe you could get one that is part time and work part time as a server or something to make up for the costs.
Sep 19 2011 8:19PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
If you were Canadian I'd suggest SSV, but sorry, no ideas.
Sep 19 2011 8:23PM
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z[plat]
Posts: 25 - Karma: 10
Ok, thanks to the people who provided some helpful feedback! I will look into resorts and what I could do there. I might just take a general co-op in Boston or on the west coast to get some solid experience and then develop my own next year. And yeah, malakye.com is a sick website that I look at quite a bit.
Sep 20 2011 10:19PM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Mt snow in Vermont has a position reserved for marketing interns like yourself every winter. A couple of friends of mine at Lyndon did it. I did mine at Burke mountain and Stowe. It's fairly easy or at least do able to get in at most resorts. Especially coming from northeastern. If you're trying to get into marketing at a resort a decent thing to at least look into would be the real estate development going on at Stowe right now. They have a good network of people to help students. Not in your specific field but in the ski industry real estate is a good place to be well versed. Plus if you get in there you never know who you'll meet. It's a small world.
Sep 21 2011 12:23AM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Sorry for the dub post but just a bit of advice if you do decide to go the ski resort route. Don't go somewhere that creates a position for you. If they do this it means you are the first and teaching you is something of a full time job that will get passed between people ultimately leaving youre training lacking. There are tons of mountains looking for interns like you and have had interns in years past and have people there just to make sure you're both getting what you need out of the experience. Gluck.
Sep 21 2011 12:30AM
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