Professional Sales Program

The Department of Marketing offers a comprehensive professional sales area of study curriculum. This curriculum provides students with leading-edge instruction as well as practical experience dedicated to preparing the graduates for success in entry-level sales positions and career advancement.

The Northern Illinois University Sales Program was the first university program awarded the distinction of providing a Certified Sales Curriculum by the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training (SMT).

Marketing 411: Marketing Topics - Silicon Valley

You can learn more about this upcoming semester by watching the trip overview or student perspective videos. Applications are due at noon on Nov. 1. You will be notified via email within seven days if you are accepted. 

Marketing 412: Professional Selling in the Field

The next "Sales on Wheels" class is in the planning stages for winter intersession, January 7-12, 2024. To prepare for this unique experiential learning, your experience will be framed by attending four evening classes on campus in November. Our current schedule includes stops in Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, with several corporate partners. Additional venues visited on previous trips have included the St. Louis Blues, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sun King Brewery. You can view the student perspective video to learn more about this unique opportunity.

You will need to complete an application with a resume and submit fees by noon on March 15.

Marketing 450: Advanced Professional Selling

For admission to Marketing 450, you are required to submit an application. Applications will be accepted through the end of the semester. Priority will be given to students who apply before the following deadlines:

• Nov. 1 for students wishing to enroll in a spring semester class.
• April 1 for students wishing to enroll in a fall semester class.

Certificate in Professional Selling

To qualify for the Certificate in Professional Selling students must take four sales-specific courses in combination with a general marketing curriculum. Applications are due on April 1 if you are graduating in the spring and on November 1 if you are graduating in the fall.

Networking and Annual Events

Throughout the year, our students have the option of attending events that combine real-world experiences and networking opportunities such as our Marketing and Sales Talent Night, Meet the Mentor event, annual golf outing or Top Golf event and etiquette dinner.

Sales Advisory Board (SAB)

The sales track has organized a Sales Advisory Board designed to provide valuable input, insight, and feedback for students and faculty to make the NIU sales track the most comprehensive and up-to-date college curriculum for sales.

Office of Selling Effectiveness

The College of Business and the Department of Marketing sponsor the Office for Selling Effectiveness. The office provides companies with individual attention from experienced marketing faculty and outstanding students. Services offered include: a variety of sales training seminars for sales professionals and consulting services in sales and non-sales related areas for companies.

For more information about the office for Selling Effectiveness, please call Jenny Redisi, director, at 815-753-6204.

Testimonial

My most memorable experience at NIU was going on the Marketing 412 “Sales on Wheels” trip to St. Louis and Indianapolis. We visited several corporate partners including the St. Louis Blues, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sun King Brewery. I met so many new people and companies on that trip, and ultimately formed strong friendships and landed my career at Fastenal, where I am now.