UWO Sales Program Information
Information for students wondering if they should take the Professional Sales Program.
Sales Program Courses:
The UW-Oshkosh Sales Certificate program includes three courses and is offered both Fall and Spring semesters. Students complete all 9 credits in one semester.
The program is taken in-person only and runs 8am-11:20am Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with breaks.
The program explores professional sales, which generally involves complex purchases where buyers want to work with trusted suppliers.
The program is coached by a UW-Oshkosh faculty member and by sales professionals (salespeople, sales managers, and sales recruiters).
Main reasons students take the courses:
– Have opportunities for sales-related internships and post college jobs.
– Build sales knowledge and transferrable skills, including many soft skills.
– Develop meaningful relationships with classmates and professionals.
What courses do you take?
Sales Fundamentals – MARKET 331
Study the role of sales within a business, customer buying processes, the sales process, and sales roles.
Sales Management – MARKET 335
Explore issues associated with hiring and coaching salespeople, pipeline management, and developing sales strategy.
Advanced Sales Topics – MARKET 338
Improve communication skills through various interactive exercises. Learn about client entertainment, trade shows, and negotiating.
Key Program Experiences:
FIELD TRIPS
Students visit regional companies and learn how they support their sales teams. A typical semester includes three field trips.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Speakers share their personal experiences about how they deal with specific sales-related issues.
RIDE ALONGS
Students spend three of their class sessions working with salespeople, visiting customers and/or seeing other aspects of sales roles.
COMPETITIONS
These are scaled down mock customer meetings, coached and judged by sales professionals. Winners receive awards, get recognized on a Leaderboard, and become members of our President’s Club.
EVENTS
The sales program includes events that involve students and professionals. The semester starts with a “Meet the Partners” event. Other events include an “Advanced Topics” day and one or two off-campus social/networking events.
NORMAL STUFF
Yeah, this is still a set of classes. Some lectures are included. The class has one exam typically held during week 6 or 7. Most Mondays include “book discussion” time where the class discusses ideas in sales practitioner books.
Other Information:
- Attendance is required. Please only take the classes if you can attend. (We understand some absences are unavoidable and are excused.)
- A few early-starts are scheduled on field trip days, so we return to campus by the scheduled end of class.
- All books and materials are provided; nothing needs to be purchased. Funds from companies and alums are used to eliminate costs to students.
- Do you want someone to come to your class or club to talk about the sales program? Email Heather Veeser (program manager, veeserh@uwosh.edu), and she will see if this is possible.
- Do you want to see some of the course materials, before deciding to enroll? Email Bryan Lilly (sales professor, lilly@uwosh.edu) and he will confer with you.
Business Education Enrichment Fund of Wisconsin 