EDUCATION: Readin’, Writin’ and Telemarketin’
In Maine, telemarketing gets lots of respect. Now that lobstering and lumbering no longer sustain the citizenry, some 25,000 people of a population of 1 million work in telecommunications, according to Maine & Co., a Portland business economic-development group. In response, the University of Maine at Augusta is launching a certificate program in customer service and telecommunications next month.
The program includes nine courses – such as business telecommunications service, professionalism in the workplace and persuasive communication – which can be completed in a year. It may be taken as a “capstone for other business degree programs,” or – more likely at this college where the average student is between 30 and 33 – used to jump-start a second career for an unemployed worker, says John Kappes, counseling and career planning associate in the university’s student services department.
The program, Kappes’ brainchild, received so much publicity across the state and the nation that employers from as far away as California are ringing in with offers to hire graduates. “I think it is [a reaction to] the void in training opportunities in this field,” Kappes observes.
He’s been lassoing the companies to help design course content, provide company tours and send over guest lecturers. “The employers we have been partnering with offer some of the most competitive salary and benefits packages in the state,” Kappes boasts.
The graduates will be ready to enter telemarketing-related jobs in customer service and satisfaction, problem resolution, quality assurance, research and sales support activities.
Is the program full? Kappes confesses he’s been too busy to market it, but he doesn’t expect to want for future telemarketers. Besides, since the university is a leader in using interactive television to reach 3,000 of its 5,000 students, enrollment is unlimited.
