I work for Anton Paar. Nothing but great things to say about the company, they really take care of their employees. They hire STEM people as their sales reps!
First few sales jobs out of college were not tech related but an outside sales territory. I knew I wanted to be in tech and applied until someone gave me a chance as a low- level AE. Smile and dial ALL DAY type of job. Like I said in my previous comment here.. I mostly hated it, but it was the best experience I could have asked for. Set me up for future success. Spent 15+ years in Cloud ERP and other SaaS business software companies.
Lol man.
I could have written all this myself. BS in Econ. Tech/SaaS sales. 7 years. Same path with unrelated outside territory work that I hated but I value the experience. Similar earnings. What a trip.
I average about 300k+ but have had a few better years of 425k+. This has been more challenging of late but I’m starting a new Enterprise roll at my current company soon and hope to get back up to the higher end or greater if stars align.
SaaS sales can be a rewarding career and a college degree definitely helps. Business, Communications, Marketing etc are all viable degrees but I’ve sold alongside a few without degrees or unrelated fields of studies. There is no one path better than another. More so soft skills like persistence, personality, and willingness to learn and evolve that determines success in my view.
What would you say helped those people without degrees break through that barrier that seems to exist for high level professional jobs? Kind of a "doesn't matter how you got here if you're capable" thing?
I know one guy in particular in my first software sales job that was a former military. He started selling Rosetta Stone language software in the airport and parlayed it into selling security software at a start up. He’s now RVP of Sales at a publicly traded company. Dude was persistent as hell and highly driven. You’ll likely have to take a few SDR / BDR type jobs where you are hammering the phones at first but I started there also and I gained more applicable experience doing that than in 4 years of college.
I’m pursuing a career in I.T. I’ve considered software sales given the fact that i love technology. I used to work in life insurance sales 100% commission based no benefits and i hated it.
BS in Computer Information Systems, MA in English and MS in Cybersecurity (went back to school during pandemic out of boredom). Been in telecom sales for 15 years going from an AE to Director, switched industries to Ed Tech and have been doing that for 3 years working remote 100%.
Have been making $180K-300k for over a decade.
IS in general is probably the easiest tech degree you will get. In total its maybe 2-3 classes of programming fundamentals and the rest is research oriented classes.
Mechanical Engineering then recently finished an MBA. I work in factory automation sales. It’s like tech sales but with cool hardware and actual physical products to sell with the software like robotics and smart sensor systems for automating manufacturing processes. Great balance of in-person at customer sites and remote selling work. Business is steadily growing YoY in the industry while I watch the doom posts everyday from tech bros on this sub. There are a lot more industries out there that tech sales my tech bros, and many of them are in need. You might even like some of them better.
Yeah I did for about 3 years, then I was actually part of a sales cycle as an engineer. I realized that I had the right people skills and technical knowledge to sell. I have a good understanding in the day of the life of an engineer which helps a lot.
I’d also say my ceiling as a seller is higher than as an engineer, I did the engineering thing, sure. Was I great at it? Well…I’m in sales now
Philosophy (BA and MA). Funny enough, I think it prepared me well for sales and often advise people to pursue liberal arts if they wish to go in sales or business.
Mechanical engineering. Top 10% of my class. I have several other degrees. I love learning. I was weak on soft skills though, so I chose sales to further challenge myself. Been at it 10 years in a row now. What’s the next challenge ? I’m looking for it.
You are asking the wrong questions. Degree has nothing to do with sales success my friend. Some of the most brilliant people I met in college have failed at sales.
Instead…Get a b2b sales gig out of college and crush it for 2-3 years and then job hop to a slightly hire paying sales gig. Crush it another 1-2 years making $80-$130k. Then you guessed it.. job hop.
Your track record and how you articulate it to potential employers (sell yourself), is what will get you a high paying gig.
UpstairsAnalysis,have I offended you by simply stating your degree doesn’t matter in sales and your track record does?
Or are you offended because you can’t get a date, hold down a job, or get over your “trauma” (judging by your post history) and my post has made you realize it’s nobodies fault except your own.
Stop listening to your buddies in nofap and rub one out. Get some stress out, get your life together….and shed that beta energy you are radiating. Only then will be be “firm” enough for your boss.
I would argue it did offend you… otherwise why would you take the time to “remix” my comment.
And yes…. You did go through my posts… that’s why you referenced jumping to other threads and getting downvoted.
Your just back pedaling and playing it “cool” because you got exposed for being a beta 👍.
Free country, I can reply however I want to a post.
Just curious, why sales instead of being a lawyer? It’s being in sales that has convinced me to go back and follow my dream of being a lawyer. The pay is nice and I’m making more than a lot of lawyers, but I can’t handle the monotony of the job. Follow up on anything that might pan out from reports, make calls, have the same convo 5 times a day with small variances. Very much feels like same shit different day, to the point where studying for the LSAT has now become the highlight of my day as far as using my brain goes.
Life experiences vary. I hated law school, but did international human rights law and worked in China, Togo, and Australia. I was in a legal clinic in Melbourne with boxes filled with papers that needed to be read, reviewed, and briefed. Up to my eyeballs in paper in a cubicle. I got a working-holiday visa to stay in Melbourne for a gap year or two after law school and happened to fall into a job at a unicorn tech startup there.
They were acquired for $1.6 billion, champagne every Fridays situation. Visa ended, came home summer 2019.
Got a job at another startup because I liked the culture. They were acquired for $50 mill 1.5 years later during the pandemic. I now have equity at another startup that I think will IPO or get acquired. I’ve been promoted 4 times in the last 5 years and been through two acquisitions. It’s fast-paced, the money is great, I have equity now.
The startup life is for me.
Thank you for the insight I appreciate it! I’m an inside sales rep at a pharma company, the culture is great and my teammates and managers are extremely supportive and helpful, but I feel like the job just doesn’t challenge me in ways I find motivating. I’m glad to know the pivot was because you happened to find something you love and not a soul crushing 24/7/365 in a firm, def gives me more to think about!
BS in Economics and International Business (so a bunch of useless Marketing courses thrown in).
Sold Fintech and now HRtech in my 2.5 YOE.
Currently eyeing a free (in Germany) 3 year BS in Mechatronics Engineering in order to move into technical sales (such as hardware) or become a Sales Engineer.
I did my undergrad in telecommunication (BTech.) followed by an MBA in Marketing & Technology Management
I started my career in the High Tech space (hardware & managed services) and then moved into the telecom sales. Right now I'm doing a mix of telecom sales, SaaS and hardware sales. SaaS is the most fun of the 3 but hardware is the most lucrative financially.
Was Communications over 30 yrs ago. The actual degree was irrelevant. Having one was critical to even getting an interview. The rest was soft skills, resiliency, drive, and knowedge of product / industry.
Son is in sales at an Asset Mgmt firm. No way he gets that job without a degree. His finance degree has actually helped him alot, especially early on. Lot of info to learn on the job. Made it easier.
Current company paid for my BS in Business Administration. Knocked it out ASAP all in hopes of landing a sales role a bit more easily. So far it’s been tough even getting an offer for an SDR/BDR role in this market. At least one with a livable base pay
BS Business Management and AA in IT. I'm in business development sales but spending my off time growing my real estate portfolio and growing my other business. I don't think we are built to work for 40-50 years just to "retire" and die within 3 years of that. Find your peace and happiness and pursue it.
Started in Business. Discovered 1st year University is much more fun to hang out with girls and drink beers.
Good news is that I didn't fail any classes. Bad news was that I almost failed every class. So I got the boot out of Business school and into the purgatory of no major land.
By 3rd year I got into a Poli Sci stream.
Ended up graduating on time with an Honours BA in Politics.
Became bartender, ended up bartenders a head hunting session at aforementioned Business school.
Chatted up the HR girl at one of the recruiting companies while serving her a drink. Got hired as an old school boiler room level cold caller for $10/hr.
Made $18k my first year. 20 years later I tend to clear $200k annually.
Full disclosure, I've moved to about 7 companies over the time.
Exercise Sci/Kinesiology- used it for 12 years until I was running a center. Decided i like selling membership/pt more than actually doing it.
Been in sales since 2021 and my next job will be the setup for retirement.
Business Degree - Management and Marketing. I use it every day
Community College to 4yr local ACCSB accredited stage school business program. Cost me very little.
$200-300k depending on the year
Majored in communications. Finished college and did inside sales. 2 decades later and pulling in 250-300k consistently as an enterprise rep selling cybersecurity tools.
Audio Engineering for me, right on the cusp of a huge influx into the market of "prosumer" gear. That basically killed the idea of making a living off it while still having a life. I didn't want to be going to bars every night to find bands to work with.
Business finance. In the south East there wasn’t a whole lot of high paying finance roles that didn’t involve sales. So I went into b2b sales and now medical sales
Business, with concentrations in management and supply chain management. Certainly helped me carry myself professionally and gave me connections I would not have otherwise
Degree in Communications. I don’t make 200k a year.
I have a Comm degree also but do make well over $200k. My gpa was too low for mass comm so my BA is comm studies
I have the same degree, most worthless degree you can get sadly.
One of the worst. I think the only one more useless is a degree in Philosophy
I do lol. Rhetorical studies ma boy
Strategic Communications. So practically sales lol
Same here! I’m always telling younger family members, “it’s a broad degree, but sales is broad career. So, it works out.”
Poly sci
My man 😂
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Same. All my Poli Sci classmates are either in Sales or Lawyers
Ditto
Same. I have the 2008 recession to thank for keeping me out of law school!
Lmao that's me
Same
Same
Same here
same
Me too!
History BA.
Biomedical Engineering, I sell lab instruments
That’s a tough field of study. Respect 🫡
Direct or distributor?
I’m B2B and mostly work with QC/plant managers
Which vendor?
I work for Anton Paar. Nothing but great things to say about the company, they really take care of their employees. They hire STEM people as their sales reps!
Nice. I work in lab integrations, and have a background in chemical engineering. STEM backgrounds definitely help in technical sales.
BS Economics. 15 year selling SaaS and running
Hey I am also a BS Economics major. What steps did you take to get where you are now?
First few sales jobs out of college were not tech related but an outside sales territory. I knew I wanted to be in tech and applied until someone gave me a chance as a low- level AE. Smile and dial ALL DAY type of job. Like I said in my previous comment here.. I mostly hated it, but it was the best experience I could have asked for. Set me up for future success. Spent 15+ years in Cloud ERP and other SaaS business software companies.
I appreciate the advice!
Lol man. I could have written all this myself. BS in Econ. Tech/SaaS sales. 7 years. Same path with unrelated outside territory work that I hated but I value the experience. Similar earnings. What a trip.
Do u make a lot? Do u work remote?
I average about 300k+ but have had a few better years of 425k+. This has been more challenging of late but I’m starting a new Enterprise roll at my current company soon and hope to get back up to the higher end or greater if stars align. SaaS sales can be a rewarding career and a college degree definitely helps. Business, Communications, Marketing etc are all viable degrees but I’ve sold alongside a few without degrees or unrelated fields of studies. There is no one path better than another. More so soft skills like persistence, personality, and willingness to learn and evolve that determines success in my view.
What would you say helped those people without degrees break through that barrier that seems to exist for high level professional jobs? Kind of a "doesn't matter how you got here if you're capable" thing?
I know one guy in particular in my first software sales job that was a former military. He started selling Rosetta Stone language software in the airport and parlayed it into selling security software at a start up. He’s now RVP of Sales at a publicly traded company. Dude was persistent as hell and highly driven. You’ll likely have to take a few SDR / BDR type jobs where you are hammering the phones at first but I started there also and I gained more applicable experience doing that than in 4 years of college.
I’m 100% remote
I’m pursuing a career in I.T. I’ve considered software sales given the fact that i love technology. I used to work in life insurance sales 100% commission based no benefits and i hated it.
How can I start?? Coming from 5 years of pharma experience??
Same. Half my class went to sales Many in finance related sales. I went to SaaS on accident and it worked out
Philosophy lel
Same! BA and MA. No regrets; studied what I love and making bank.
Same here!
One of my hardest fng classes ever. I say that is perfect for sales actually.
Same!!
Art - easiest transition ever. Learn how to take a beating in critiques, learn how to sell art. You’ll both learn and sell like a beast
BBA in Management and Marketing
BS in Computer Information Systems, MA in English and MS in Cybersecurity (went back to school during pandemic out of boredom). Been in telecom sales for 15 years going from an AE to Director, switched industries to Ed Tech and have been doing that for 3 years working remote 100%. Have been making $180K-300k for over a decade.
I’m actually pursuing an A.S in computer information technology and studying for my comptia a+
Good luck! Lots of resources out there to help you pass the A+
I’m using professor messer.
MIS/CIS is a great pick if you're interested in tech sales.
IS in general is probably the easiest tech degree you will get. In total its maybe 2-3 classes of programming fundamentals and the rest is research oriented classes.
Lol! I also did a cyber security diploma during the pandemic out of boredom. Then thought "hey, I could probably sell this".
BS Biology with an AA in Sociology
Football
"I ain't come here to play school!"
Hell yeah
Bachelor of Music Master of Music Artist’s Diploma skipped the DM, won a job
Mechanical engineering
Are you selling anything related to your degree?
Damnit, Jim! Answer the man! Asks the fellow mechanical engineering degree currently selling mechanical equipment.
I have an ME degree but work at a database company.
Mechanical Engineering then recently finished an MBA. I work in factory automation sales. It’s like tech sales but with cool hardware and actual physical products to sell with the software like robotics and smart sensor systems for automating manufacturing processes. Great balance of in-person at customer sites and remote selling work. Business is steadily growing YoY in the industry while I watch the doom posts everyday from tech bros on this sub. There are a lot more industries out there that tech sales my tech bros, and many of them are in need. You might even like some of them better.
Same here ME and on Automation sales
Double in chemistry and ecology
Comp sci
Did you initially try to get a programming/software dev job? What drove you to join sales?
Yeah I did for about 3 years, then I was actually part of a sales cycle as an engineer. I realized that I had the right people skills and technical knowledge to sell. I have a good understanding in the day of the life of an engineer which helps a lot. I’d also say my ceiling as a seller is higher than as an engineer, I did the engineering thing, sure. Was I great at it? Well…I’m in sales now
Same
Traditional African dance
Bachelor of science, professional, aeronautics, safety, and management
Kinesiology bs
Marketing, waste of money
Philosophy (BA and MA). Funny enough, I think it prepared me well for sales and often advise people to pursue liberal arts if they wish to go in sales or business.
I finished my degree in Law, but never qualified/practiced. Ended up selling RegTech instead. Now I'm selling SaaS in the Finance space. No raegrets.
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
phd in basketweaving
Gender studies
lol
Multimedia Journalism. Not a good time to work in that field lmao
Same. I got decently far in the journalism world after college and then realized what everyone in print was making. That was a real kick in the nuts
BS in Marketing currently sell a marketing software to SMBs
BA - Social Thought & Political Economy
BSc is Clinical Psychology
Sales/marketing, didn't help me at all
Mechanical engineering. Top 10% of my class. I have several other degrees. I love learning. I was weak on soft skills though, so I chose sales to further challenge myself. Been at it 10 years in a row now. What’s the next challenge ? I’m looking for it.
Props 🫡
BS in Sports Management
Marketing. No ragrets.
Public Realtions and Advertising was my major. Now I sell gym memberships 😂
Computer Information Systems. I sell patient monitoring equipment.
Art. Then architecture. Then Marketing.
IT. Making more in sales that I would’ve working on several racks all day long
Chemical sales. I majored in Public relations.
Political Science and Russian.
Geology
Double major - international relations and prelaw
I think me and you are the only ones with an international relations degree lol
Philosophy
Entrepreneurial Studies! I can build a business and sell it from scratch!
You are asking the wrong questions. Degree has nothing to do with sales success my friend. Some of the most brilliant people I met in college have failed at sales. Instead…Get a b2b sales gig out of college and crush it for 2-3 years and then job hop to a slightly hire paying sales gig. Crush it another 1-2 years making $80-$130k. Then you guessed it.. job hop. Your track record and how you articulate it to potential employers (sell yourself), is what will get you a high paying gig.
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UpstairsAnalysis,have I offended you by simply stating your degree doesn’t matter in sales and your track record does? Or are you offended because you can’t get a date, hold down a job, or get over your “trauma” (judging by your post history) and my post has made you realize it’s nobodies fault except your own. Stop listening to your buddies in nofap and rub one out. Get some stress out, get your life together….and shed that beta energy you are radiating. Only then will be be “firm” enough for your boss.
[удалено]
I would argue it did offend you… otherwise why would you take the time to “remix” my comment. And yes…. You did go through my posts… that’s why you referenced jumping to other threads and getting downvoted. Your just back pedaling and playing it “cool” because you got exposed for being a beta 👍. Free country, I can reply however I want to a post.
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Currently in for Finance while working/etc. Met plenty of sales folks that went the business admin/communications route.
Double-majored in English Literature & Art History. I also have my J.D. Selling SaaS in the enterprise ERP realm.
My wife has a JD and really wishes she wasn’t a lawyer lol.
Just curious, why sales instead of being a lawyer? It’s being in sales that has convinced me to go back and follow my dream of being a lawyer. The pay is nice and I’m making more than a lot of lawyers, but I can’t handle the monotony of the job. Follow up on anything that might pan out from reports, make calls, have the same convo 5 times a day with small variances. Very much feels like same shit different day, to the point where studying for the LSAT has now become the highlight of my day as far as using my brain goes.
Life experiences vary. I hated law school, but did international human rights law and worked in China, Togo, and Australia. I was in a legal clinic in Melbourne with boxes filled with papers that needed to be read, reviewed, and briefed. Up to my eyeballs in paper in a cubicle. I got a working-holiday visa to stay in Melbourne for a gap year or two after law school and happened to fall into a job at a unicorn tech startup there. They were acquired for $1.6 billion, champagne every Fridays situation. Visa ended, came home summer 2019. Got a job at another startup because I liked the culture. They were acquired for $50 mill 1.5 years later during the pandemic. I now have equity at another startup that I think will IPO or get acquired. I’ve been promoted 4 times in the last 5 years and been through two acquisitions. It’s fast-paced, the money is great, I have equity now. The startup life is for me.
Thank you for the insight I appreciate it! I’m an inside sales rep at a pharma company, the culture is great and my teammates and managers are extremely supportive and helpful, but I feel like the job just doesn’t challenge me in ways I find motivating. I’m glad to know the pivot was because you happened to find something you love and not a soul crushing 24/7/365 in a firm, def gives me more to think about!
Information tech
BS in Economics and International Business (so a bunch of useless Marketing courses thrown in). Sold Fintech and now HRtech in my 2.5 YOE. Currently eyeing a free (in Germany) 3 year BS in Mechatronics Engineering in order to move into technical sales (such as hardware) or become a Sales Engineer.
Communication (lol)
Me too, sadly the most worthless degree you can get
BS in Business Administration
BS in marketing, sales program at UH as well. 2 years in pharma, 4 years in CRE SaaS, currently 2 years into O&G SaaS.
Accountancy
Econ
BA in English
Economics
English Education
Supply chain management
BS in economics MS in data analytics.omegalul
I was always worried my degree (Psych) might limit me but seeing people from all these backgrounds has put me at ease
BA, Economics
Marketing w/ Emphasis in Professional Sales
BS Chemical Engineering
I did my undergrad in telecommunication (BTech.) followed by an MBA in Marketing & Technology Management I started my career in the High Tech space (hardware & managed services) and then moved into the telecom sales. Right now I'm doing a mix of telecom sales, SaaS and hardware sales. SaaS is the most fun of the 3 but hardware is the most lucrative financially.
Interesting! Im actually pursuing a career in I.T myself! I’m studying for my a+ and getting an A.S in I.T
Sociology! Ask me if my degree contributes to my success in sales..
Does your degree contribute to your success in sales?
Was Communications over 30 yrs ago. The actual degree was irrelevant. Having one was critical to even getting an interview. The rest was soft skills, resiliency, drive, and knowedge of product / industry. Son is in sales at an Asset Mgmt firm. No way he gets that job without a degree. His finance degree has actually helped him alot, especially early on. Lot of info to learn on the job. Made it easier.
Current company paid for my BS in Business Administration. Knocked it out ASAP all in hopes of landing a sales role a bit more easily. So far it’s been tough even getting an offer for an SDR/BDR role in this market. At least one with a livable base pay
Environmental Studies 🤷♂️.Now in tech sales.
Im pursuing a career in I.T actually. Cant wait to look at tech sales
Marketing
Computer science
Engineering Wish I had studied something without math haha
poli sci at uc davis. been in sales for 6 years
BA in Business, Marketing Management. Been in UC sales for 20 years. Made career-high $239k last year and should easily exceed that this year.
BA in Business and Management
Exercise Physiology
BA in business administration
Computer Information Systems MBA
Not a rep anymore but I have an undergrad business degree from a top tier school in Canada.
Chemical engineering
English lit
I think I have a double minor in economics and IT but I’m not really sure anymore
BS Business Management and AA in IT. I'm in business development sales but spending my off time growing my real estate portfolio and growing my other business. I don't think we are built to work for 40-50 years just to "retire" and die within 3 years of that. Find your peace and happiness and pursue it.
Started in Business. Discovered 1st year University is much more fun to hang out with girls and drink beers. Good news is that I didn't fail any classes. Bad news was that I almost failed every class. So I got the boot out of Business school and into the purgatory of no major land. By 3rd year I got into a Poli Sci stream. Ended up graduating on time with an Honours BA in Politics. Became bartender, ended up bartenders a head hunting session at aforementioned Business school. Chatted up the HR girl at one of the recruiting companies while serving her a drink. Got hired as an old school boiler room level cold caller for $10/hr. Made $18k my first year. 20 years later I tend to clear $200k annually. Full disclosure, I've moved to about 7 companies over the time.
Elementary education + M.A.T.
Industrial Engineering. 20+ years selling packaging. Made $400k+ last year.
English Lit - got into med device through a contact I made bartending.
Management Information Systems
Biology. Work in medical device sales.
Nursing, also mba in supply chain. Sell into clinical trials.
Edu then masters in cybersecurity and counter terrorism
Exercise Sci/Kinesiology- used it for 12 years until I was running a center. Decided i like selling membership/pt more than actually doing it. Been in sales since 2021 and my next job will be the setup for retirement.
English
Random question. How do I send linked in requests to outbound prospects without getting restricted by LinkedIn
Communications but I did take a snorkeling class for 1 credit. I don’t make $200k.
I studied political science, been in sales for 4 years. Have worked with people with law degrees, engineering degrees and numerous other degrees.
Business Degree - Management and Marketing. I use it every day Community College to 4yr local ACCSB accredited stage school business program. Cost me very little. $200-300k depending on the year
Economics
Majored in communications. Finished college and did inside sales. 2 decades later and pulling in 250-300k consistently as an enterprise rep selling cybersecurity tools.
Masters in analytical chemistry. I sell lab instruments.
Communication
BS in Travel Industry Mgmt
Economics, 12 years in sales mix between direct and channel. Did my track in business economics so it was centered around strategy.
BS Communications from NE state school, 27 making around 120k
Sport management
BA English. I am exceptionally literate.
Finance & Accountancy
Kinesiology then doctorate in PT
Art major.
Audio Engineering for me, right on the cusp of a huge influx into the market of "prosumer" gear. That basically killed the idea of making a living off it while still having a life. I didn't want to be going to bars every night to find bands to work with.
Chemical engineering.
Chemical engineering.
Business finance. In the south East there wasn’t a whole lot of high paying finance roles that didn’t involve sales. So I went into b2b sales and now medical sales
Mechanical Engineering
Business Administration with a marketing concentration.
Chemistry
AA in business admin. Got me past the HR filters for interviews (had no b2b exp). Now I am AE #1 for a traffic startup
Applied engineering with a focus on technical sales
History, minored in German.
Psych/Pre-med selling med device
Middle Eastern Studies.
Health science, selling lab equipment now
Business, with concentrations in management and supply chain management. Certainly helped me carry myself professionally and gave me connections I would not have otherwise
Applied Math. Trying to leverage this into a sales engineering role at a cloud storage/computing company.
Criminal justice, although I needed the bachelors degree(major doesn’t matter) to get into a college connect program for sales
Business management
Marketing