Sales Specialist

Technical Diploma
Marketing Sales and Service Cluster Icon

Why choose Sales Specialist?

  • Start your career in marketing with an in-depth understanding of effective sales strategy.
  • Build on your ability to relate to people with added communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Combine strategy with a deep understanding of customer needs to deliver the right solutions—skills that are highly valued in almost any type of business.
A career in sales may be different than you think. Today, every business—large or small, public or private—relies on sales, and for many companies a highly skilled, tech-savvy sales force is critical to success.

Program Locations

Marshfield Campus
2600 West 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449

Stevens Point Downtown Campus
1001 Centerpoint Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Online

What You'll Learn

The Sales Specialist program prepares students for success through a curriculum that provides fundamental knowledge of marketing and sales. Students develop communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a professional polish, while learning how to sell goods and services using a consultative approach—abilities that are highly valued by organizations seeking to employ sales professionals.

Mid-State’s Sales Specialist program prepares individuals through hands-on sales practice and salesperson/client role-play activities. Includes a focus on digital sales communication in the social media realm, preparing you to communicate effectively with clients, prepare and deliver sales-related presentations, and recommend the most appropriate solutions for your client.

Outcomes

  • Develop marketing strategies.
  • Develop selling strategies.
  • Deliver sales presentations.
  • Apply customer relationship building strategies.
  • Analyze sales information. 
  • Prepare selling strategies.
  • Promote products, services, images and/or ideas to achieve a desired result.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $2,909.46
  • Books: $438.62
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $0
  • Total Estimated Cost: $3,348.08

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for prorated Financial Aid based on length of program and/or number of credits. Aid may not be enough to cover all program costs.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10104102 Marketing Principles  3
  10801198 Speech  3
  10801136 English Composition 1  3
  Term Total   9 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10104105 Professional Selling  3
  10104107 Social Media Marketing 3
  10104121 Fundamentals of Marketing Communications  3
  Term Total   9 Credits
       
  Program Total   18 Credits

Instructors

DEBRA WALLNER, BS, MBA

Debra’s teaching in the digital marketing field has allowed her to work with a wide variety of businesses, people, and marketing situations. She has previously held positions in the fields of advertising, sales, marketing research, and human resources –compensation. She holds an MBA from UW–Oshkosh.

“I believe that learning should be as close to real life as we can make it. Creating real-life opportunities for our students by partnering with local businesses produces graduates who come to employers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform that job.”

Careers

  • Customer Service Representative
  • Field Sales Representative
  • Sales Merchandise

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

“Mid-State provided me a career-focused education that gave me the skills and experience I needed to get a job in the marketing field. Having experienced instructors who are connected to the field made it possible for me to begin my career before even graduating.”

ALLYSON OWEN
GRADUATE

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Sales Specialist Pathway