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Question about career move
Posted on 8/6/17 at 11:04 pm
Posted on 8/6/17 at 11:04 pm
I have a bachelor's degree in basically nothing. I have a good job in sales for a relatively small multinational company (valued at a couple hundred million, at most). It is in the sports field. I make good money and I'm in my mid 20s. I really love my job but I also know that it likely won't be my last stop. I'm worried about being in a field with not many other options and not many growth opportunities.
I'd really like some advice so when I am ready to switch careers, I'd be ready. I was accepted into the Online MBA program at ULL, but I'm not sure if that is for me. They have concentrations in sales management, which I would really like. Id like to know with my work history how I should go about planning for advancement in my career.
Any advice is appreciated!
I'd really like some advice so when I am ready to switch careers, I'd be ready. I was accepted into the Online MBA program at ULL, but I'm not sure if that is for me. They have concentrations in sales management, which I would really like. Id like to know with my work history how I should go about planning for advancement in my career.
Any advice is appreciated!
This post was edited on 8/6/17 at 11:12 pm
6
Posted on 8/7/17 at 5:49 am to nugget
It sounds like you enjoy this type of sales.
Are you actively networking at chamber of commerce, Rotary club, other, etc?
Do you have trade shows or large conventions you could attend and network?
Not many people really like their job so switching careers may not increase your happiness. More formal education may not lead to a better situation.
Are you actively networking at chamber of commerce, Rotary club, other, etc?
Do you have trade shows or large conventions you could attend and network?
Not many people really like their job so switching careers may not increase your happiness. More formal education may not lead to a better situation.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:05 am to nugget
You can easily parlay 3-5 years of positive sales experiences, coupled with a MBA with emphasis in sales, into a very nice ($$) sales job by the time your 30. Stick with it and document all accomplishments
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:22 am to nugget
What kind of company is it if you don't mind me asking?
I have my bachelors in basically nothing as well (sports management) and trying to figure out what to do next. Current job isn't in the field.
I have my bachelors in basically nothing as well (sports management) and trying to figure out what to do next. Current job isn't in the field.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:33 am to makersmark1
I do but there are some problems with it. It is a very specialized product so the area I cover is massive, basically the Confederate States. There is also a market saturation that we all know is going to happen. Being in a very specific field selling an extremely high end and high priced product, there are only so many to go around.
I'm not really networking. The area I cover is so large, it's impossible for me to stay home and do local area networking. I'm also not planning on switching job, it's just inevitable that this happens one day and I want to be prepared when it does.
I'm not really networking. The area I cover is so large, it's impossible for me to stay home and do local area networking. I'm also not planning on switching job, it's just inevitable that this happens one day and I want to be prepared when it does.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:34 am to Lazy But Talented
quote:
What kind of company is it if you don't mind me asking?
I have my bachelors in basically nothing as well (sports management) and trying to figure out what to do next. Current job isn't in the field.
Sports technology
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:40 am to nugget
What is your major? As long as it's not women/gender studies 
I'm just asking because mine isn't great either.
I know some people who get MBAs because they don't know what else to do, but that's not your case from your years of sales experience. I think it could be a way to be qualified to advance in management roles, but also know it's not a requirement if you are able to work your way up. It sounds like you're good at and like what you do, which is the best case scenario when it comes to work.
I'm just asking because mine isn't great either. I know some people who get MBAs because they don't know what else to do, but that's not your case from your years of sales experience. I think it could be a way to be qualified to advance in management roles, but also know it's not a requirement if you are able to work your way up. It sounds like you're good at and like what you do, which is the best case scenario when it comes to work.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:43 am to schwartzy
It was in psychology. I played sports my first 2 years of college and wanted something easy. When I quit playing, I figured out how easy psych was. I could party, not show up, and make A's.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 8:55 am to nugget
There's always going to be opportunities in sales. Companies are rarely concerned about specialized knowledge if you're willing to do the grunt work, unless it's pharmaceutical etc.
If you can sell sports technology, you can sell widgets. Sales is more about personality than anything else, I'd be absolutely horrible at it.
If you can sell sports technology, you can sell widgets. Sales is more about personality than anything else, I'd be absolutely horrible at it.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 10:06 am to nugget
Where do you live? What are your career aspirations? Family situation? Willing to relocate?
I think more information is required before a recommendation can be given. In sales, your undergraduate degree isn't going to matter much unless you get into technical sales like medical devices. A MBA may make sense of leadership roles are your aspiration. If you don't have a solid business background then the skills through a MBA would likely be very helpful for you. Understanding your background and ambitions will help a lot on determining a path forward.
I think more information is required before a recommendation can be given. In sales, your undergraduate degree isn't going to matter much unless you get into technical sales like medical devices. A MBA may make sense of leadership roles are your aspiration. If you don't have a solid business background then the skills through a MBA would likely be very helpful for you. Understanding your background and ambitions will help a lot on determining a path forward.
This post was edited on 8/7/17 at 10:06 am
Posted on 8/7/17 at 10:56 am to lynxcat
Live in Baton Rouge. Would be willing to go to from Houston to New Orleans. I would like to eventually be like a VP of sales or something along the lines of business development. I would prefer to be more towards the marketing side of things than having to deal with individual sales. I am married with 0 kids and we do not want any kids.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 11:28 am to nugget
In my experience, if you are a very good salesman, I don't think the MBA would necessarily be that much of an advantage. If you have a proven track record and lots of contacts in your industry then other companies will come looking for you. Changing industries might be difficult depending on what you are selling. For instance, I know tech sales can be very rewarding, but you really have to know what you are talking about. It sounds like you want to stay in the same industry and just move up and it sounds like you are good at it. If this is true, then you will have lot's of opportunity for advancement.
Posted on 8/7/17 at 6:07 pm to nugget
Maybe your customers are a sort of network.
Do any of your customers have businesses that interest you?
Do any of your suppliers or competitors interest you?
in the course of doing your job or in life in general have you found problems you would like to solve?
Do any of your customers have businesses that interest you?
Do any of your suppliers or competitors interest you?
in the course of doing your job or in life in general have you found problems you would like to solve?
Posted on 8/7/17 at 6:28 pm to makersmark1
quote:
Do any of your customers have businesses that interest you?
I know quite a few people in O&G from work. Its obviously down right now and I'm not very familiar with how sales work in the industry. Certainly wouldn't be against it though.
quote:
Do any of your suppliers or competitors interest you
Not really, we have far and away the best product on the market. The pitch of our competitors is," Yea it's probably better, but is it $x better?"
quote:
in the course of doing your job or in life in general have you found problems you would like to solve?
Nothing really as far as sales go.
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