About the Program
In 2019, the Southard Institute for Sales Excellence was created to provide professional development opportunities for UT students. There are more than 250 students enrolled in sales courses each year, and those numbers are growing.
The Department of Marketing started offering a minor in professional selling in Fall 2022, which requires 24 credit hours. The minor is designed for students who want to further develop their current sales skills and competencies. It combines theory and practical applications where students learn about sales best-practice and then apply those concepts in simulated and real-world business sales solutions, build relationships and meet consumer needs. The minor brings together a foundation of marketing while sharpening interpersonal skills and learning to thrive in a competitive market.
Sales as a discipline is found across multiple career paths. This minor will also provide students with the opportunity to apply strengthened interpersonal skills and professional relationship building to any path they choose to take. Not only will students excel in the classroom, but the minor is also connected to the Institute for Sales Excellence, thus allowing students to participate in various networking events, competitions and role-play scenarios with Tampa Bay business professionals. The institute provides exclusive access to networking opportunities with Tampa Bay companies, national sales competitions that provide hands-on learning and sales practice, and experience that can be applied to real-world careers and internships. Sales minor students will also be able to receive a sales certification via the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA). With the USCA certification, students can differentiate themselves in the sales employment market. UT is one of 53 universities from around the world approved to offer this exclusive certification.
Less than 3% of all colleges in the U.S. offer a recognized sales program. Research conducted by the Sales Education Foundation finds that almost 60% of all college business majors begin their professional careers in entry-level sales positions. The minor in professional selling is tailored to provide students with a top-tier sales education and create opportunities for them to prosper inside and outside the classroom.
Ways to Get Involved
Corporate partners are invited to sponsor and participate in a selection of our events, which include the Reverse Career Fair and UTee Networking at TopGolf. Learn more about the full range of events on our networking opportunities page.
