What Degree Do I Need to Become a Sales Manager?

Completing an internship during school can help you obtain a job after graduation.

Working as a sales manager requires extroversion, superior communication skills and more often than not, a college degree. However, you needn’t worry too much about the exact type of degree you obtain: work experience, proof of your ability to make a sale and eagerness to connect with others is just as important in the realm of sales management.

Degree Type

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most employers prefer that sales managers have a degree in business administration with emphasis on marketing. This degree program includes classes in business law, management, economics, accounting and finance. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics is also helpful in most sales management positions.

Education Level

Although a master’s degree or higher may help your resume stand out, a bachelor’s degree is often enough. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete, and most colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in business and other sales-related subjects. A master’s degree in business administration, however, usually only takes two additional years to complete. Note that although median annual wages for sales managers in 2010 was already a lofty $114,110, a higher-level college degree will most likely yield you an even higher salary than average.

Other Degrees

You don’t have to have a business administration degree to find a job as a sales manager. A marketing degree is just as lucrative for someone entering sales, because it teaches you how to boost demand for a product or service. Classes for a marketing major are similar to those for business majors; they include communication classes, advertising and research strategies. A degree in economics, business communications or finance may also serve you well as a sales manager.

Other Requirements

If you aspire to be a sales manager for a technical product, you may need more than a business degree. For example, if you work in computer sales, a degree in computer science or engineering is beneficial. The BLS also reports that fluency in more than one language and management certification may give you an advantage in the industry. Additionally, keeping up with changes in technology and the sales industry via seminars and conferences will boost your competency as a salesperson.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers; December 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment And Wages, May 2010: Sales Managers; May 2011
• Smeal College of Business; Marketing Major
• Princeton Review; Business Administration/Management