Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Account Executives
Sam, an Account Executive, recommends entry-level sales roles—such as SDRs or general entry-level sales positions—for undergraduates, emphasizing the invaluable experience gained from "high volume, high velocity of outbound dialing" and overcoming "the fear of rejection." This initial experience provides a strong foundation and, as Sam notes, "the sky's the limit" for career advancement due to the inherent respect earned from mastering this challenging role.
Sales, Entry-Level Jobs, Business Development, Outbound Sales, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sam Leahy
Account Executive
Leading B2B SaaS Company
University of Colorado at Boulder
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Technology
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level sales roles (inside or outside sales) are valuable experiences that teach you to overcome the fear of rejection and build resilience.
2. The experience of high-volume outbound calling or emailing can provide you with skills that are highly valued in the corporate world.
3. Even a year in an entry-level sales position, such as an SDR (Sales Development Representative), can teach you more than an MBA because you interact directly with real clients and customers, developing practical skills and knowledge.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
This is a good question. I would say it kind of depends on the company, but in any entry-level sales role, whether it's outside or inside sales, you're going to be doing a high volume, high velocity of outbound dialing.
This includes calling, emailing, or outreach, whatever medium it takes to get in front of a customer and secure a meeting. I think it's super great experience because you learn to get over the fear of rejection right away in your professional career, something you don't really get in college.
You might get a bad grade on a test, but your teacher isn't going to yell at you. The first year I remember at Indeed, doing the amount of outbound sales was so informative. Depending on your career path or field of business, an SDR or an entry-level salesperson is a great step post-college.
You don't have to do it forever. It's a grind, so you only want to do it for a year. But if you're good at it and put forth the effort, the sky's the limit. Everyone else in the corporate or professional world knows how hard it is and respects you for it; it's kind of a badge of honor.
You also learn so much more than you would if you went to grad school for business or got your MBA. Hit the phones for a year and talk to real clients and customers, and you'll learn all you need to know.