WMU named to top talent list for consumer packaged goods industry

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Evaluating the best sources of food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketing talent, Consumer Goods Technology has named Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business as one of 11 universities and colleges with top CPG talent. Western’s food marketing program has a storied history with CPG companies, and this ranking makes official something CPG organizations have long known—WMU is the place to seek innovative, future-focused employees with strong team skills.

The list takes a coast-to-coast view of higher education and identifies institutions where students come out of their programs with the real-life experience employers are seeking. The schools on the list also boast strong placement of students across the CPG industry.

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition of our food marketing program,” says Dr. Russell Zwanka, director. “Our teaching philosophy is built upon the foundation that real-life industry involvement, applied principles and effective communication skills, are a solid foundation for a successful career in the CPG industry. A program is only as successful as the students it produces, and our students are standouts. The energy in this program is off the charts!”

The competition for great hires with education and experience in food and consumer packaged goods marketing is fiercer than ever before. As experienced employees are promoted, many entry-level positions are available at CPG companies, which are seeking the best investment in future leaders for their organizations.

Here are just a few recent accolades that show why WMU Haworth’s food marketing program is a go-to source where recruiters find their next great hires.

• Certifications: The food marketing program offers a professional category management certification and a cannabis marketing certification. Students can earn these certifications while also taking their top-shelf food marketing courses.
• Employment: Food and CPG companies recruit year after year at WMU. In WMU’s 2021-22 Post-Graduation Activity Survey, 100% of food marketing graduates were employed full time soon after graduating.
• Real-world experience: Employers are seeking students with more real-world experience in the industry, and hands-on projects are a hallmark of the WMU food marketing program. Industry projects are embedded in courses, and students have numerous opportunities to engage with companies to gain experience so they hit the ground running as professionals on day one.
• Professionalism: Through the Food Marketing Association student organization, the Food Marketing Conference, the food industry tour and a host of activities at WMU Haworth, students gain the skills to collaborate, communicate and become lifelong learners focused on earning opportunities in the industry.
• Synergy: The WMU food marketing program looks for connections and strengthens them. Whether it be encouraging students to dual major in food marketing and supply chain management to be more marketable or working with companies directly to help them solve the problems in the modern CPG world, the program consistently models innovation and synergistic strategies.

With the food marketing program’s history of listening to industry input and adapting its offerings to align with employer needs, including specialized skills and emerging technologies, it is no surprise WMU food marketing program graduates lead—and are hired by—many of the most respected food and CPG companies in the world.

Learn more about the WMU food marketing program.

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