MIDDLETOWN, Pa. –Penn State Harrisburg, this fall, began offering a new academic minor in sales. Administered by the college’s School of Business Administration, the minor is designed to develop consultative selling skills that will benefit students throughout their careers. Students who complete the minor can also earn professional certification from the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA).
“Offering a sales minor will help Penn State Harrisburg meet the market in Central Pennsylvania,” said John Hubley, sales executive in residence. “Employers want to hire students who have had exposure to professional selling skills, including how to develop and manage complex accounts. This will also help us recruit students who want to pursue a career in corporate sales. It further advances our strategy to build a comprehensive program to fill a market need.”
The goal of the minor is for students to take advantage of the technology skills they already have and add new skills training to that, which the program offers through classes in professional sales, sales management, and negotiations. After a student completes the minor, they also become certified nationally through the USCA.
The sales minor is complemented by several ongoing student activities including membership in Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), a national business sales and marketing fraternity at the college, and participation in the National Sales Challenge, hosted by William Paterson University. Students in the PSE chapter have participated in national and regional competitions including the year-long Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon Sales Competition.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to have a minor that can add value to other programs throughout the University, not just in marketing or business,” said Darrell Bartholomew, assistant professor of marketing. “Thanks to the new sales minor and USCA sales certification, we are offering another way for students to strengthen their sales skills, which can lead to even more opportunities when they graduate.”
