SHAPING
THE FUTURE OF SALES EDUCATION Southern Miss Business is establishing itself as a formidable contender among nationally recognized sales programs
The Professional Sales Program at Southern Miss is transforming the landscape of sales education, providing students with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to excel in the field. With a state-of-the-art Professional Sales Lab, a comprehensive sales certificate program, collaborative initiatives, and impressive achievements in collegiate sales competitions, Southern Miss is shaping the next generation of sales professionals. At the heart of the program lies the Professional Sales Lab, a cutting-edge facility meticulously designed to replicate realworld sales scenarios—a corporate office with reception, a hotel lobby seating area, or a coffee shop worktable. Within the lab, students have access to three recording rooms, enabling them to evaluate their mock sales calls and gain feedback from faculty and industry coaches. Additionally, the lab’s live broadcasting capabilities facilitate virtual interactions with judges and company recruiters. The carefully curated environment fosters an immersive atmosphere for reviewing sales case studies and conducting in-depth review sessions.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONAL SELLING The Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Selling is offered to students across all disciplines, providing a pathway to success in sales no matter the degree path. Comprising of four courses— Introduction to Professional Selling, Sales Management, Advanced Professional Selling, and a relevant elective—the program offers a comprehensive lesson in both sales’ theory and
16 | College of Business and Economic Development
practical application. Students can expect a learning experience that transitions from foundational sales strategies to live sales scenarios, both face-to-face and virtually, with industry professionals. A crucial goal of the certificate is for students to gauge their interest and strengths within a sales career while also networking with prospective employers. Recognizing the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, the School of Marketing spearheaded a joint venture alongside the School of Media and Communication. STRATCOM Week 2022 kicked off a new curriculum offering at Southern Miss that includes a Media Sales track, integrating sales education with the dynamic world of media. This track offers students the opportunity to optimize their degree plan electives and earn the Professional Selling Certificate. Media Sales Day was hosted in Scianna Hall as part of the week-long event series. The event was facilitated by marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship faculty from Southern Miss Business. Dr. Kristina Harrison and Mr. Kevin Buckley welcomed three media sales industry alumni for a panel discussion on transitioning from the classroom to their careers.
Enrollment in the Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Selling at Southern Miss saw a
40%
INCREASE
from 2022 to 2023.