E-commerce, which includes business-to-consumer transactions such as online shopping (think Amazon and eBay) as well as business-to-business commerce, is a growing industry both in the United States and worldwide. Even brick and mortar retailers are expanding their E-commerce operations to keep up with the online shopping trend. All of this is good news not only for shoppers, but also job-seekers, as ecommerce is opening up business and technology jobs.
E-Commerce—short for electronic commerce—relates to the selling of goods and services over the Internet. Certificate and degree programs in E-commerce are interdisciplinary and can qualify students for a number of positions in the online business world.
Here are some of the jobs that an ecommerce course of study can prepare you for:
These are just a few of the careers available to people with ecommerce skills. Others include search engine optimization (SEO) expert, computer programmer, and database administrator. More broadly, ecommerce is appealing to entrepreneurs who can bring together people with different business and technology skills in order to launch a business.
The growth of ecommerce has led to schools offering programs that teach the skills needed to promote products and services online. Such programs typically blend traditional marketing and business skills with internet technology competencies. According to The College Board, a student majoring in Ecommerce typically takes courses that include:
For a detailed outline of what an E-commerce major might study, check out the E-Commerce Degree Plan from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Relatively few schools have dedicates E-commerce majors, but many more offer an ecommerce track through their business, computer science, or operations management department. If a job in ecommerce sounds right for you, consider enrolling in a certificate program, which involves fewer credit hours and provides the basics. More advanced study is provided by associates, bachelors, and master's degree programs.
The cost of an education varies widely among schools and hinges on such factors as an institution's and program's reputation, the types and quality of facilities and resources, a student's in-state or out-of-state status, and more. Contact individual schools for the most accurate tuition and fees information as well as information on student aid.
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