Sales Center

Differentiate Yourself

Students don’t just learn about sales—they practice it. Through competitions, simulations, networking, and employer engagement, the Sales Center gives students real-world experience that builds confidence and sharpens their skills. As a result, graduates are better prepared to pursue internships, full-time roles, and stand out in a competitive job market.

Experimental Learning

Students actively participate in sales competitions and applied learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios, allowing them to develop and refine their skills through practice.

Industry Connections

Direct engagement with employers gives students access to networking opportunities, mentorship, and insight into career paths within the sales profession.

Professional Development

Students build essential skills in communication, adaptability, and professionalism that translate across roles and industries.

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce with practical experience and a clear understanding of how to succeed in sales and business environments.

Academic Opportunities

Honing your sales skills with a certificate or minor in professional selling will open doors for greater opportunities and achievements in your career. But coursework alone does not ensure success. The Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology encourages its students to be highly engaged in its activities and events and to pursue internships, extracurriculars, and professional networking opportunities.

Program and Internship Requirements

Required Courses (15 Credits)	Elective Courses (select one of the following: 3 credits)
MRKT 320 - Principles of Marketing	AGEC 350 - Agrisales
MRKT 430 - Sales and Personal Selling	MRKT 432 - Entrepreneurial Sales
MRKT 434 - Sales Management	MRKT 438 - CRM and Sales Technology
MRKT 436 - Advanced Professional Selling	MRKT 470 - SServices Marketing
MRKT 497 - Sales Internship (3 credits)	MGMT 451 - Negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution
	MGMT 472 - Managing Family Enterprises
	SCM 320 - Integrated Supply Chain Management

Required Courses (9 Credits)	Elective Courses (select one of the following 3 credits)
MRKT 320 - Principles of Marketing	AGEC 350 - Agrisales
MRKT 430 - Sales and Personal Selling	MRKT 432 - Entrepreneurial Sales
MRKT 434 - Sales Management	MRKT 436 - Advanced Professional Selling
	MRKT 438 - CRM and Sales Technology
	MRKT 470 - Services Marketing
	MRKT 497 - Sales Internship
	MGMT 451 - Negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution
	MGMT 472 - Managing Family Enterprises
	SCM 320 - Integrated Supply Chain Management

In order to receive the Minor in Professional Selling, students must have an internship in sales. While all internships are unique, the following are the guidelines that we use to ensure the internship aligns with the goals of the program.

The internship should focus on sales. Most responsibilities should be sales-focused. A few examples of sales-based roles include prospecting, preparing for sales meetings, preparing sales materials, meeting with clients, working on customer relationship management technology, calling clients, developing business proposals, etc. Our goal is for your internship experiences to assist your professional growth.
The employer should provide a job description that must contain (but is not limited to): a) the desired qualifications; b) the key responsibilities that will be assigned to the intern; and c) a beginning and end date for the internship.
Responsibilities within the job description should NOT be primarily focused on the order-taking element of the sales process (such as retail sales). Our goal is to ensure you are enhancing multiple sales skills, hopefully in a more relationship-based, business-to-business, sales setting. Due to the Center's strategic focus on business-to-business selling, our goal is to enable internships in the business-to-business sector.
The employer accepts responsibilities for helping you develop professionally. The internship should provide sales training, guidance, supervision, and ongoing feedback to the intern. The job description should explicitly communicate how the student will be trained, and the supervisor should have the expertise, professional background, and/or education in the field of sales.
The internship should be a paid activity on an hourly basis, meeting at least minimum wage levels, or a guaranteed salary that meets or exceeds weekly minimum-wage levels. Internships that are not paid on an hourly basis, only offer commission-based compensation (or draws on potential commissions); or offer a stipend that does not meet minimum wage guidelines based on the number of hours the intern is expected to work; do not meet the guidelines.
The internship must be scheduled for a minimum of 300 job hours and 10 weeks during the fall or spring semester, or a minimum of 8 weeks and 300 job hours during the summer. The internship may be either full-time or part-time.
Internship credit is not granted for previous experience. Internships should represent a new experience, rather than simply a part-time job that you currently have.
The student and employer (owner, manager, or supervisor) should be unrelated.

The student should meet with the Director of the Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology regarding the internship and ensure it meets the guidelines prior to accepting the position. Email eric.gjerdevig@NDSU.edu. Approval can typically be made based on reviewing the job description and offer letter. Upon approval, students will be provided with the steps to register for the internship and get registered for MRKT 497.

Accreditation

Accredited by the University Sales Center Alliance and recognized by the Sales Education Foundation, the Sales Center is part of a select group of top programs, reflecting its strong curriculum and commitment to preparing students for careers in professional selling.

Sales Club

The Sales Club provides students with opportunities to enhance their sales abilities and connect with professionals in the industry. Examples include learning from guest speakers, hosting a sales podcast, and organizing national sales competitions. The club is open to any NDSU student who has a passion for sales and an interest to develolp their sales skills. Meetings are held every other Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Barry Hall 118.

Follow the Sales Club on myNDSU

Industry Partners

Industry partners play an important role in supporting student learning by providing opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and career connections.

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

Center Leadership

Eric Gjerdevig serves as Director of the Sales Center, bringing a strong background in professional sales and industry engagement. He leads the day-to-day operations of the Center, builds relationships with corporate partners, and supports curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in sales. He also plays an active role in coaching and mentoring students through competitions and applied learning experiences.

Under his leadership, the Sales Center aims to:

deliver a high-quality, hands-on academic experience
prepare graduates for successful and competitive sales careers
strengthen NDSU’s reputation as a leader in sales education

More about the Director

Advisory Councils

The Sales Center is guided by two advisory councils that provide valuable insight and strategic direction. A Partner Advisory Council, made up of industry partners, helps align programming with workforce needs, strengthen employer engagement, and identify opportunities for student placement and collaboration. An Alumni Advisory Council offers a unique perspective from graduates working in the field, helping to inform curriculum, mentor students, and support the continued growth and relevance of the Sales Center.

See the Advisory Councils