Developing a Department Profit Center while Enhancing the Student Learning Experience: Building a Professional Sales Center

Abstract

As an innovative means of creating greater impact on student learning while becoming more selfsustaining, a university marketing department created a Center for Professional Selling. Corporate partners paid the Center for the ability to recruit students taking sales courses. In addition to providing the potential for students to land high-paying entry level positions, partners also shared their own experience and expertise with students during scheduled class visits and other events. Students participated in experiential learning activities that increased their marketability and led directly to employment for many.