The Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy
The Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy is a co-curricular experience designed to educate students on the theory and best practices of effective sales practices and techniques. The academy consists of workshops, guest lecturers from leading industries, and ends with a sales case competition for scholarship money. Upon completion of the academy, students will receive the credential of a certificate of completion.
What You Learn
Students will learn both the art and the science of sales and will develop the confidence needed to close deals and build sustainable networks. These skills are useful whether students are entering a career in engineering, or in marketing, accounting, finance, human resources management, supply chain management, or global management.
Students participate in a Corporate Partner sales case study. Here students practice evaluating request for proposals, developing, and presenting a pitch, and working with a team through a full sales cycle.
About Our Partners
The Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy is delivered with the support of our Corporate Program Partners. These partners act as industry professionals and provide students with networking opportunities along with industry insights. These relationships are useful for job and internship opportunities. Corporate Program Partners get direct access to students in the program and act as judges for the Sales Case Competition. For more information on becoming a Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy Corporate Program Partner, contact Rebecca Rhoades, Associate Director of Career Programming and First-Year Experience.
Sales Academy Session Topics
- Demystifying Professional Sales (Gallup StrengthFinders)
- Generational Sales
- Key Skills for a Successful Sales Career: Forecasting, Prospecting, Basic & Needs Satisfaction
- Key Skills for a Successful Sales Career: Negotiation, Business Law/Ethics, Competitive Intelligence
- Selling the Invisible
- Sales Case Pitches
Instructors
- John Houston- Former Bayer Senior Executive, Senior Vice President of Business Development for MTG Consulting, Partner for CDI Global
- Claye Greene– CEO/President of TechBlue, Inc
- Christopher Meaner– Director of Career Development , Pitt Business
Student Eligibility
All sophomores, juniors, and seniors across the University of Pittsburgh, not just within Pitt Business, are eligible to apply.
Schedule
This program runs every spring semester in-person.
There are approximately six two-hour sessions each semester.
How to Apply
For additional question or to apply, please contact Katie Fives, Program Manager
Please note that the program’s format, content, etc. may vary from semester to semester.
