If you have a healthy dose of self-confidence, a competitive drive, an upbeat attitude, and top-notch communication skills, then a career in sales would be ideal for you.
In case you have already decided to enter this profession and are wondering what degree do you need for specialized sales, then this article would be of great help to you. It will list down all the relevant degree programs.
What Is Specialized Sales?
The majority of sales positions are general and do not require specialized technical knowledge. However, some positions in sales are more specialized and require extra knowledge and technical training. For instance, technical equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies prefer candidates who have the technical knowledge and prior experience within these industries. Thus, many universities have now started shifting their focus from general degrees to more specialized sales degrees.
What Degree Do You Need For Specialized Sales?
Some of the degrees that you can pursue include: Associate’s degree in Marketing and Sales, Bachelor’s degree in Retailing and Consumer Science, and Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Management.
What Can You Do with a Specialized Sales Degree?
After obtaining a specialized sales degree, individuals can pursue their careers as Real Estate Sales Agents, Retail Sales Workers, Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives, Advertising Sales Agents, Financial Services Sales Agents, Medical Device Sales Representative, Sales Strategists, and Sales Managers.
Now let’s discuss the income prospects for some of these career choices. The wage data mentioned below has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sales Managers
These professionals direct and manage a company’s sales team. They are also responsible for analyzing sales statistics, approving expenditures and preparing budgets, determining special price plans and discount rates, and setting sales quotas.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $126,640 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 5% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $141,690 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 80,610 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $194,090 |
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
These professionals are also called Manufacturer’s Agents or Representatives. They generally sell merchandise for wholesalers or manufacturers. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives are responsible for contacting potential clients, negotiating prices, and answering client’s questions about the product.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $59,930 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 2% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $71,110 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 147,310 |
| State with the Highest Salary Level, 2019 | New Jersey | $84,170 |
Retail Sales Workers – Retail Salespersons
These workers are responsible for greeting customers, offering them assistance, answering their questions, helping them find the right product, informing them about promotions and sales, and processing their orders and payments.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $25,250 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | -2% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $29,360 (Retail Salespersons) | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 418,900 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $36,520 |
What to Expect from a Specialized Sales Degree?
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Marketing and Sales introduces students to a range of courses such as Inbound Marketing, Professional Selling, Customer Success, and Social Media Marketing. The credit hours required for degree completion and the program length varies from school to school. Usually, this degree can be completed within two years.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Retailing and Consumer Science prepares students with merchandising and customer-oriented skills. This program helps students build a strong business foundation by teaching them subjects related to Sales Strategies, Sales Promotions, E-Commerce, and Retail Shopper Analysis.
Individuals who want to advance their sales careers in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries can obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Management. The program’s curriculum incorporates a range of modules such as Pharmaceutical Product Management and Pharmaceutical Marketing Research.
How to Choose a Specialized Sales Degree?
You should consider multiple factors before deciding which Specialized Sales degree you want to enroll in. Some of these are listed below:
- Program fee
- Duration of the program
- Course content
- Accreditation status
- Internship opportunities
- Faculty credentials
- Class size
Specialized Sales Degree Admission Requirements
To get into a Specialized Sales program, you will have to send your admissions application and the application fee to the program office, along with the required documents such as your transcripts, recommendation/reference letter, and a personal statement. Since every program has its own application requirements, it’s a good idea to check with the program office before applying.