Illinois State University’s Professional Sales Institute has been selected by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF) as a “Top Universities for Professional Sales Education” program in the foundation’s 2017 ANNUAL magazine. Illinois State was recognized for preparing students for successful careers in professional selling and helping to elevate the sales profession. The SEF 2017 ANNUAL magazine, the 10th edition, is available at salesfoundation.org.
Professional sales/selling is one of the most common jobs for students graduating with a sales degree. Recent research suggests that 60 percent of all business majors and 88 percent of all marketing majors begin their professional careers in a sales-related role.
“The advantage of hiring an ISU Redbird with a sales degree is knowing we are getting a top quality student. 
The level of professionalism is evident from the first interview and one can see not only their confidence and strength in communication but their drive and work ethic to be top performers. The transition from the classroom to our business is seamless due to their understanding of the sales process and makes it easier for us to train them on our products and services. ISU has done a wonderful job developing and providing opportunities to their students to be successful in the workplace, thank you!”—Monica Hood, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, talent acquisition specialist in Chicago
Sally Stevens, Executive Director of the Sales Education Foundation, noted that companies should have an increased focus on partnering with university sales programs and hiring their graduates. In her 2017 Annual Letter from the Editor she notes, “Candidates from these (sales) programs are more prepared to align with their initial sales roles and to compete in the ever-changing global economy.”
For information on partnerships with Professional Sales Institute, contact Mike Boehm, director of the Professional Sales Institute, at (309) 438-2954 or mboehm@IllinoisState.edu. To learn more about the growing sales education space, contact the Sales Education Foundation at (800) 776-4436 or visit salesfoundation.org.
