Professional Sales Program

Sales is a strong foundation for any business discipline because it builds essential, transferable skills and a deep understanding of how businesses create value.

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

Hands-on learning is the cornerstone of the NIU Professional Sales program. Students in all sales courses have regular opportunities to interact with industry professionals and learn from people who sell every day. Numerous role plays, networking events, feedback, firsthand use of sales industry technologies and coaching prepare students to enter the job market more confidently to make an impact immediately.

NIU's Professional Sales Program offers experiential courses that allow students to immerse themselves in corporate visits in various ways. Some might be daily fieldtrips to program sponsors in the Chicagoland area while others are week-long trips to large Midwest cities (student perspective video) or even across the US to Silicon Valley (you can learn more by watching the trip overview and student perspective videos). Professional Selling in the Field is usually offered over spring break and an application is required in the fall semester before the trip. Priority will be given to students pursuing their Professional Sales Certificate.

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).

The Professional Sales Program

Admission into the Professional Sales Program requires you to submit an application. Applications will be accepted through the end of the previous semester. Priority will be given to students who apply before the following deadlines:

• Nov. 15 for students wishing to enroll in a spring semester class.
• April 10 for students wishing to enroll in a fall semester class.

Certificate in Professional Selling

To qualify for the Certificate in Professional Selling, you must take four sales-specific courses. All Majors are welcome. You can declare your intention to pursue the certificate at any point during your academic journey. If you have already declared your intention to pursue a Professional Sales Certificate you will get priority for seats in sales classes. Meet with your advisor for certificate declaration or see Professional Sales Program Director Jenny Redisi.

Networking and Annual Events

Throughout the year, while in the sales program you will have the option of attending events that combine real-world experiences and networking opportunities with the corporate sponsors, such as our Meet Your Mentor event, Topgolf event and etiquette dinner.

Sales Advisory Board (SAB)

The sales program has organized a Sales Advisory Board designed to provide valuable input, insight, and feedback for you and faculty to make the NIU sales track the most comprehensive and up-to-date college curriculum for sales. We rely on corporate sponsors and other board members to ensure the sales courses stay leading-edge and deliver the most comprehensive and up-to-date college curriculum for sales.

Sponsorship – Companies That Support the Program

An integral part of the Professional Sales Program is the group of companies that support student learning. To become a partner of the program, a financial donation is required. In exchange, representatives from the companies provide valuable experience to the students through role plays, coaching, networking events, professional development and co-teaching of some class content.

To find out how to get the inside track on recruiting from the NIU sales program, contact Jenny Redisi at jredisi@niu.edu.

Current Sponsors

(as of 8-4-25)

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.