Per Rasmussen '86 & Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Institute
Sharpen Your Skills for Success
Welcome to the competitive world of business-to-business professional sales. What can you bring to the table?
The Professional Selling Specialization (PSS) program and the Per Rasmussen '86 and Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Institute prepare students to meet the needs of the ever-growing business-to-business (B2B) professional selling and sales management fields. The program aims to strengthen students’ unique value to the job market as they prepare to begin their careers and further their professional development. Any St. Cloud State University student may enroll in the PSS program regardless of major.
To succeed in the field of B2B professional selling and sales management, students must be well-versed in the essential communication and leadership skills that are the foundation of a long-term career in the industry. The PSS program, featuring two state-of-the-art sales suites, provides an enriching, hands-on learning environment for students to role-play sales presentations in an interactive, real-work business setting with industry professionals. The feedback and mentoring received through the PSS program prepare students to enter the fast-paced professional selling arena with confidence and knowledge.
Students who complete the specialization will gain insight and experience in five key areas:
- Professional Selling Theory and Skills Development
- Professional Selling Practicum & Shadowing
- Sales Management Practicum & Shadowing
- Global Marketing & Culture in Professional Selling
- Social Media & Technology in Professional Selling
The Per Rasmussen '86 and Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Institute offers students across majors and disciplines tremendous value in terms of networking, skill-building, internships and career opportunities. The Professional Selling Institute and the Professional Selling Specialization provide students with a practical, adaptable skill-set that can be utilized both personally and professionally, in virtually any career path.
courses (15 credits) are required to obtain the specialization, which can be counted toward elective requirements for most majors/minors.
Courses are taught by the Herberger Business School’s award-winning, experienced faculty, with participation from area business professionals from over 50 corporate partners.
Program Highlights
- The newly-endowed Per Rasmussen ’86 and Nina Skage ’86 Professional Selling Institute will facilitate new student scholarships, faculty research on B2B sales and PSS events, including sales competitions and career fairs, the PSS Student Leadership Program, and multiple Sales Speakers’ Bureaus.
- The Per Rasmussen '86 and Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Institute is an Associate Member of the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA)
- Students have access to the Northwestern Mutual Sales Lab and the Per Rasmussen '86 and Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Suite, state-of-the-art, real-time learning facilities.
- Experiential learning through professional selling and sales management shadowing opportunities.
- PSS students have the opportunity to compete in the Professional Selling Competition, held each fall and spring term. Participants receive feedback, evaluations, and mentoring from area sales professionals.
- Each competition includes an awards banquet and networking opportunities for students.
- The PSS program is recognized by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF) as one of the Top North American Sales Schools.
- Husky AMA members, the student chapter of the American Marketing Association, won the Marketing Simulations Competition at the 2022 American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference in Chicago beating out 50 other schools from around the USA.
- The Herberger Business School has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels for more than 45 years.
Top Careers
- Manufacturer/wholesale representative
- sales account executive
- sales specialist
- customer support specialist
- CRM specialist
- inside sales specialist
- outside sales specialist
- sales manager
Dr. Dennis Bristow, Professor of Marketing, has been appointed to the Norbert J. Lindskog Endowed Chair of Professional Sales in the Herberger Business School at St. Cloud State University. He also serves as Director of the Per Rasmussen '86 and Nina Skage '86 Professional Selling Institute.
Bristow is the first appointment to the Lindskog Chair Sales position and in his role will continue development of new and ongoing partnerships with with area, regional, national and international business-to-business sales communities and develop the HBS’ sales program, sales curriculum and initiatives. Dr. Bristow serves as a tenured full professor in the Marketing Department. As the Norbert Lindskog Chair of Professional Selling, Dr. Bristow brings his 25 plus years of teaching, research, student mentoring and building lasting community relationships to this exciting new role.
Learn More
Prepare for success in your professional business to business sales career.
Visit the SCSU Admissions Department online to request more information about the PSS program. Ready to apply? Begin your online application today!
