What is one of the most challenging things college grads face after earning a degree? Finding a job and finding one that pays well.
By: Efua Richardson
Nov. 1, 2019
College of Business professor Robert Bergman has a solution for students — and it starts right inside the classroom.
“80% of last year’s students receive full-time job offers before the class was over,” said professor Bergman. The class he was speaking about? The Advanced Sales course — often nicknamed “take a class, get a job” — offered in the College of Business.
Advanced Sales, a course that is part of the Sales Excellence program offered here at Lewis, is open to all students regardless of major. In the course, Bergman brings in experts from various regional and national organizations to the classroom to teach advanced skills in sales, selling and salesmanship. These experts, who are seeking entry-level salespeople, hire students straight out of the classroom to fill internship and full-time positions.
The program is beneficial to all students and presents many learning and career opportunities, even to those pursuing careers outside of sales. “This program prepares anyone to be good in sales – whether selling a product or service, or simply selling themselves in a job interview,” said Bergman.
As someone who describes himself as an extroverted introvert, Bergman encourages students — even those that may be shy — to take part in the Sales Excellence program. Despite his shyness, Bergman saw a successful career in sales and sales management before becoming a professor at Lewis.
“Anyone can sell,” he said. “If you can make a friend, you can make a sale.”
Bergman explained that while there are a few people in the sales force that may give sales a bad reputation, the vast majority are “wonderful people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and personality types.”
The Sales Excellence program is made up of only eight required credit hours of coursework, consisting of two 3-credit classes and two 1-credit workshops.
Bergman recommends that in the fall, students register for MKTG-37400 Salesmanship (a prerequisite for Advanced Sales) and the MKTG-39200 Win/Win Negotiation workshop.
Then in the Spring, Bergman suggests students take the Advanced Sales course.
Professor Bergman encourages all interested students to reach him via email at bergmaro@lewisu.edu. He looks forward to providing further details and answering any questions students may have.