Entering the real world for many recent college graduates can be a shock in many ways, especially when it comes to balancing a budget and making ends meet. According to NerdWallet, student loan debt is a burden for more than 43 million graduates nationwide.

Between housing and health insurance costs rising and other costs of living increasing, providing for oneself and a family can be overwhelming. Many graduates find themselves scrambling for a job that will not only pay the bills but set them up for future success.

The Sales Foundation says this field of study and career is an excellent option for job security, as sales graduates experience 30% less turnover than their peers.

Many professionals find a comfortable position in sales because of the excellent earning potential, flexibility, job security, and competitive, fun nature of most sales jobs.

More than 14.5 million people employed in sales as of 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This field of work is a great fit for those looking for a well-paying job after college.

Weber State University offers an excellent program in Professional Sales to help students prepare to be successful in the real world. Here are a few reasons why you should consider Weber State’s Professional Sales Program in pursuing a sales career.

Flexible schedule

The professionals at Weber State recognize that no two people have the same circumstances and opportunities. With this in mind, the sales program is a flexible path. They offer a bachelor’s degree, an online bachelor’s degree, an associate of applied science degree in sales and merchandising, and a minor in sales and service technology.

No matter the program — or your schedule — you will learn all aspects of professional sales. This includes basic and advanced selling techniques, customer service, contract and sales negotiations, team leadership, supervisory techniques, and sales personalities and profiling.

In addition, you will gain practical experience through various available internships and cooperative placements will enhance your learning on a schedule that suits you.

Earning potential

One of the most attractive benefits of a career in sales is the earning potential. While most sales jobs offer a low base salary, they are high in commission, which means, in most cases, unlimited earning potential. Put simply, there are very few careers that offer the income potential that a sales career offers, says The Balance Careers.

In a sales career, your income is directly tied to performance, which creates an ever-present drive in sales professionals to improve and succeed. There will be quotas that need to be met, but once commission checks, bonuses, prizes, trips, and other incentives start to roll in, most sales professionals don’t mind.

Additionally, employers need salespeople to make money. Without the sales professionals on the front lines, the business wouldn’t thrive. That being said, employers are very motivated to compensate their sales professionals well, making excellent pay an investment for the company.

Learn from the best

A very attractive part of the Professional Sales program is that you will be learning from some of the best experts that Utah has to offer. Many of the faculty are leaders from the sales industry and pioneers in sales education, some with more than 50 years of experience.

CRM proficiency

In order to be successful in today’s technologically driven sales environment, you will need to be proficient in a variety of customer relationship management (CRM) technologies.

A few of the most popular of these CRM’s are Salesforce, Zoho, Google Apps, and Hubspot. Weber State equips all of its sales graduates with a knowledge of these programs so they're prepared for the workforce.

Robust alumni network

In a sales career, relationships are everything. Whether it's with a customer, business, or other fellow sales professionals, creating and maintaining relationships is crucial.

Being a part of the Professional Sales program means that you have access to more than 3,000 Professional Sales alumni. With diverse backgrounds to draw from, you will have no problem finding many valuable resources to help your career be successful, regardless of your sales field.

Job offers

Because of the expansive training and practical experiences that graduates attain while going through the Professional Sales Program, many graduates receive multiple job offers upon graduation. Not having to go through an extensive job search and interview process can make all the difference when you’re trying to make ends meet in the post-graduate world.

For further education and success in a sales career, be sure to check out Weber State University’s Department of Professional Sales. With more than 50 years of experience, the depth and breadth of their knowledge of the industry are unparalleled in higher education options for college students.

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