What are the benefits of connecting with sales students?
The Center for Professional Sales boasts a diverse group of partners gathered from local Omaha businesses. Their participation provides real-world experience and guidance to our students pursuing a sales career or even casting a glimpse at their day-to-day. Interactive events intertwined with classroom assignments give a hands-on approach to learning.
Partners are active in specific events such as the Pitch Competition where students give a 60 to 90-second long pitch on how they would be an attractive new hire to a company. Other assignments include a resume review, an “appointment setting” workshop, and an in-person role-play session to mimic an on-the-job sales conversation with a potential customer.
Overall experience between partners and students is a positive one. Catching a glimpse at the next-generation salesperson, partner companies express excitement and encouragement in the Center. Many have shared that they wished they had a similar opportunity in college.
The experience gained is substantial, even if students don’t pursue sales careers.
Partner Participation Events
Pitch Competition and Partner Networking – Mandatory for Professional Selling students, each will give a 60 to 90-second pitch on why they would be a great sales hire to a panel of judges. Career fair style of an event, students can pitch to multiple partners to gain a better overall score. During breaks in the day, networking is encouraged between partners and students.
Appointment Setting Activity – Students make two calls to sales professionals acting as prospects. They introduce themselves, respond to objections, and close the prospect of setting up an in-person meeting. Prior to this event, a "Practice with Professionals" day is scheduled to help students gain confidence and have their questions answered.
In-Person Role Play - Students conduct a real-world ten-minute role-play with a sales professional acting as the buyer. Build rapport, ask questions to understand client needs, respond to objections, and close on the next step. Students get feedback from judges on their execution of the task. Before the Role-Plays, a Q&A session is held for students to ask questions and get advice from the professionals.