I know it is possible but do you think becoming an AE out of college at a solid company is feasible?
AE out of college
12
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
I mean anything is possible. 🤷♀️
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Agreed with the others, that anything is possible. I never saw it at the big tech company for which I worked, and I don't know of others where it happened.
Look - there's nothing wrong with starting at the "bottom" (generally BDR/SDR) and working up.
I didn't get to where I am (Enterprise AE, remote, basically making my own schedule and doing well in OTE) right out of the gate. It took years to work up to this. I made a decent living along the way and learned a lot. There is quite a bit to be said for knowing how to work for what you want and grinding things out to get there.
Look - there's nothing wrong with starting at the "bottom" (generally BDR/SDR) and working up.
I didn't get to where I am (Enterprise AE, remote, basically making my own schedule and doing well in OTE) right out of the gate. It took years to work up to this. I made a decent living along the way and learned a lot. There is quite a bit to be said for knowing how to work for what you want and grinding things out to get there.
FattySnacks
Politicker
1
Senior Account Executive
Not in tech but maybe other industries
Asalesperson
Good Citizen
1
Sr. Director of Sales
Yes, anything is feasible. But why skip the line? Be proud to learn all aspects of your future craft. Even if you go work for a smaller company you would most likely be a full cycle AE so you would need those prospecting chops anyway. Pick a great manager that can teach you and it will pay off way better in 3-5 years than going for AE immediately.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Everything is feasible. Not sure if you can directly get into an AE without going through BDR/SDR role, but if you are able to, good for you
Sgt_Trollingham
Valued Contributor
1
Business Development Director
Personally, I would try to find something with a shorter sales cycle and a great manager/mentor if this is the route you want to go.
TheOverTaker
Politicker
1
Senior Account Executive
i think it heavily depends on the industry but obviously nothing is impossible
FormerStartupJobHopper
Tycoon
1
AE
Not really in tech or SaaS. It'd be a shitty company. Cause first they have to teach you how to "sell", conduct yourself on the phones, the product, etc. Then they have to teach you how to close. It's too much all at once.
youngsmoky
Celebrated Contributor
1
Senior Account Executive
Our company hires AEs with little experience. It doesn't have to be strictly sales though! Anything where you have to be persuasive is a good starting point.
Rallier
Politicker
1
SDR Manager and Consultant
I think it’s totally possible, but it would probably be a full cycle role, so still a lot of cold calling. Probably not a tech AE role though
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Good luck, best bet is to get into an SDR role and crush it
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
0
☕️
Get an internship as a BDR (you did), get in good with the sales team and prove that you are worthy of an AE role right out of the dorms.
White
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
It is possible, but at companies that have full cycle AEs. You're actually an SDR, BDR and AE in one.
godpull54
Praised Answer
0
PDR
Going to be really hard for you to land AE fresh out of college. AE's handle massive deals at times. The company can't afford to have some newbie screw it up. I would earn my stripes. You'll thank yourself later and gain competence you will surely need to succeed in a AE role.
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