Written by Emily Weingarten
Emily Weingarten is a fourth-year combined degree student earning her Bachelor’s in Business Management and Master’s in International Business by May 2021. She worked on a variety of campaigns and projects for The Selling Factory for over two years. After graduation, Emily accepted a full-time position at Chewy as a Category Analyst at their headquarters in Dania Beach, FL.
In sales, the most important aspect is the sales development representative’s passion and energy. Customers appreciate when sales development representatives acknowledge their valuable time and feel excited to meet their needs. As a sales development representative (SDR) and student myself, I associate passion with college students. From the cheers in the football stadiums to their determination for growth, they are equipped with the transferable skills necessary to build a successful SDR team.
In my past two years of working at The Selling Factory, I witnessed firsthand the value of hiring college student SDRs to form an outsourced sales team. The office is always bustling with students making calls and doing research. Even in virtual selling, students practice successful team communication. They support each other by discussing innovative ideas and strategies for increasing sales. In addition, they give feedback on their work projects with other companies. College students are very competitive and curious; they continuously seek ways to go above and beyond. These characteristics lead college students to exceed goals and analyze areas of improvement. College students are coachable and intrinsically motivated to grow, which are central to sales acceleration.
Another value of having college students in an outsourced sales team is their excitement and adaptability to collaborate with a wide array of industries. As part of an SDR team at The Selling Factory, I contributed to work projects in event-planning, insurance, and flooring companies. With different work projects, I look forward to cooperating with these companies. Also, SDRs usually spend 12 hours per week on these projects. This allows students to put in their best effort without losing steam. Companies can benefit from having four students work the equivalent amount of work that one full-time SDR would typically do in a day. The fresh rotation of students drives clear results, and keeps the energy alive while being cost-effective.
Rather than studying internal issues that may impact strategies for increasing sales, companies should consider hiring college students. Companies can utilize internship programs to evaluate potential candidates for full-time positions. Not only is this option cost-effective, but it also presents an opportunity to mentor young professionals. Students recognize the value of work experience and are eager to learn and grow. After their internship experience, they require less training because they are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills for the job.
As a college student who worked in an SDR team, I see the advantages of college students on an outsourced sales team. Above all, I am thankful for the opportunity to provide quality work on various work projects. In addition, I am thankful for the opportunity to increase my technical, professional, and personal skill set. Many college students have significant growth potential in an outsourced sales team. Clearly, there is a competitive advantage for companies that follow this path.
Are you looking to hire recent graduates out of college? Want to know more about Gen Z students’ concerns and desires as they enter the workforce? Read our full 2022 job expectations report.
