3 answers
Jianna
Student
Commodore, Pennsylvania
2
Questions
Asked
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What classes should you take to pursue sales?
In order to major in bussiness and sales in college what classes should you take to get the most out of it. Do you need to take additional math courses?
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3 answers
Lisa Thomas EdD, MSEd
Education Administrator/ Leader
40
Answers
Richmond, California
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Jianna,
You received some great responses already and I’ll discuss some of the core classes most business majors are required to take at the undergraduate level. Keep in mind that depending on the university’s selectivity level and entrance criteria , they may require more or less of these courses.
For example, and this is not an exhaustive list, most schools may want undergraduates to complete the following classes during their studies (note: some classes can be done via AP/Dual Enrollment credit in HS if your college accepts them), for example:
1. Intro to Business or Business Administration
2. Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
3. Accounting I, II and III
4. Statistics (advanced statistics)
5. Business Calculus (some colleges may want College Algebra, Pre-calculus or up to Calculus I)
6. Some type of computer class (Microsoft with a focus on Excel), Python, or SPSS for data analysis
Then, based on the student’s interest or concentration (track), students may branch off into Marketing, International Business Relations, Finance ( which will require more math), Data Analytics, Administration, etc. The list can go on and on. These classes will give you the keen insights into the field that you are looking for. You may be able to take multiple tracks or double minor, for example.
I hope this helps to clarify the type of classes that may be required and give you an edge in your field of interest.
Lisa
You received some great responses already and I’ll discuss some of the core classes most business majors are required to take at the undergraduate level. Keep in mind that depending on the university’s selectivity level and entrance criteria , they may require more or less of these courses.
For example, and this is not an exhaustive list, most schools may want undergraduates to complete the following classes during their studies (note: some classes can be done via AP/Dual Enrollment credit in HS if your college accepts them), for example:
1. Intro to Business or Business Administration
2. Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
3. Accounting I, II and III
4. Statistics (advanced statistics)
5. Business Calculus (some colleges may want College Algebra, Pre-calculus or up to Calculus I)
6. Some type of computer class (Microsoft with a focus on Excel), Python, or SPSS for data analysis
Then, based on the student’s interest or concentration (track), students may branch off into Marketing, International Business Relations, Finance ( which will require more math), Data Analytics, Administration, etc. The list can go on and on. These classes will give you the keen insights into the field that you are looking for. You may be able to take multiple tracks or double minor, for example.
I hope this helps to clarify the type of classes that may be required and give you an edge in your field of interest.
Lisa
Derek Kraus
Workforce Planning BP
30
Answers
Beaverton, Oregon
Updated
Derek’s Answer
Hi Jianna -
Out of curiosity, what type of sales are you looking to get into? At one point I was one of the top 5 sales reps in the country for a large corporation and math wasn't a factor in my tactics. The most beneficial learning I found was around peer coaching. Sales is about connecting, learning and then finding what the consumer needs. By understanding how to relate to a person and dig deep into their needs you will become an amazing sales person. I would forgo the science behind it and learn how to dig deep into connections with individuals. There are some great free programs you can utilize such as EmpowerWork that you can become certified in peer coaching.
Derek
Out of curiosity, what type of sales are you looking to get into? At one point I was one of the top 5 sales reps in the country for a large corporation and math wasn't a factor in my tactics. The most beneficial learning I found was around peer coaching. Sales is about connecting, learning and then finding what the consumer needs. By understanding how to relate to a person and dig deep into their needs you will become an amazing sales person. I would forgo the science behind it and learn how to dig deep into connections with individuals. There are some great free programs you can utilize such as EmpowerWork that you can become certified in peer coaching.
Derek
Anthony Ngo
40
Answers
Kirkland, Washington
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello Jianna,
When I was in Business School working on my BA and MBA (long time ago) I do not remember there was a curriculum that was specific to 'Sale'. The school has a major in Marketing (which cover some aspects in Sale.) College Marketing major/minor will cover different subject such as product development, consumer behavior, target market, segmenting, pricing analysis etc.... There are a lot of research, data collecting and analysis. Even though these subject does not require a lot of math, it does require the understanding of Statistics. Again, this will not prepare you for a career in 'Sale' per say, but it will give you the knowledge to some aspect in sale.
When talking 'Sale', there are different level of sale and different company will define this role differently. For example, if you talk about sale within the Boeing Company, you are looking at a team of managers working with each clients. Some smaller company does not have a 'sale' person, but assign a customer relation manager (who works directly with a client to provide goods and services.) So when you talk about sale, it can be any person standing at a counter in the department store, to a person going to a local store introducing a new product, all the way to a team dealing with government officials. You can see the large range in knowledge and skills required to perform the jobs in each end of the spectrum. So, to understand what you want to do will narrow down what skills set you will need to be effective and what kind of training/schooling will be needed.
College (Business School) will provide you with a basic understanding of how to manage different area of a company. And when you start working at a company, you will find that additional training/schooling will be required. Most company will provide internal training and some will provide the tuition bene fit to allow you to go back to college for the skills needed.
It also worths mentioning that when you are in Business School, you can look for internship for your major (if you are lucky, you can get into the company that you want to work for) and find out what additional classes will need.
Having saying all this, the greatest sale you will ever do is the ability to sale yourself! In a job interview or convince your supervisor for a promotion/raise would require the skill of a good salesperson. In fact the most successful person in business must have the ability to sale his/her abilities and ideas.
Best of luck to you.
Anthony
When I was in Business School working on my BA and MBA (long time ago) I do not remember there was a curriculum that was specific to 'Sale'. The school has a major in Marketing (which cover some aspects in Sale.) College Marketing major/minor will cover different subject such as product development, consumer behavior, target market, segmenting, pricing analysis etc.... There are a lot of research, data collecting and analysis. Even though these subject does not require a lot of math, it does require the understanding of Statistics. Again, this will not prepare you for a career in 'Sale' per say, but it will give you the knowledge to some aspect in sale.
When talking 'Sale', there are different level of sale and different company will define this role differently. For example, if you talk about sale within the Boeing Company, you are looking at a team of managers working with each clients. Some smaller company does not have a 'sale' person, but assign a customer relation manager (who works directly with a client to provide goods and services.) So when you talk about sale, it can be any person standing at a counter in the department store, to a person going to a local store introducing a new product, all the way to a team dealing with government officials. You can see the large range in knowledge and skills required to perform the jobs in each end of the spectrum. So, to understand what you want to do will narrow down what skills set you will need to be effective and what kind of training/schooling will be needed.
College (Business School) will provide you with a basic understanding of how to manage different area of a company. And when you start working at a company, you will find that additional training/schooling will be required. Most company will provide internal training and some will provide the tuition bene fit to allow you to go back to college for the skills needed.
It also worths mentioning that when you are in Business School, you can look for internship for your major (if you are lucky, you can get into the company that you want to work for) and find out what additional classes will need.
Having saying all this, the greatest sale you will ever do is the ability to sale yourself! In a job interview or convince your supervisor for a promotion/raise would require the skill of a good salesperson. In fact the most successful person in business must have the ability to sale his/her abilities and ideas.
Best of luck to you.
Anthony