Applications are being accepted for a new program in the School of Business to train the next generation of sales professionals. Students who complete the Professional Sales Excellence Program in the Department of Marketing and Industrial Distribution earn a Professional Sales Certificate in addition to the baccalaureate degree in their field of study.

Employers nationwide have demonstrated strong preference for job applicants who have completed sales programs such as this one, which is recruiting its first class of 15 students for fall 2008, says Karen Kennedy, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing and an internationally recognized sales scholar who administers the program.

“People think about a career in sales as joining an ‘old boys network,’” Kennedy said. “But a successful sales career requires specific tools. This program teaches students professional selling principles, sales management, negotiation, sales technology and business communications through classroom experiences and out-of-class interactions with sales professionals in a variety of settings.”

Students from all disciplines are invited to apply for admission to this program and for scholarship support. More information and application forms are available online at uab.edu/business .

The program also seeks corporate advisers for an executive board to help plan strategy and review progress. “Corporate sponsors will help shape the program as well as work with students in job shadowing and mentoring experiences even before a traditional job interview,” Kennedy said.

Prospective students and corporate advisers should contact Kennedy at knk@uab.edu ; Tom Decal, Ph.D., at tdecarlo@uab.edu; Bob Robicheaux, Ph.D., at bobr@uab.edu; or Kristen Craig at kcraig@uab.edu.