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BCD

BDR

Politicker
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+4

Types of College Degrees Held?

Growing up there is a ton of pressure placed on going to college and getting a degree. I changed my major 4 times while in college, and my degree has nothing to do with sales/business. Curious what degrees are out there and if you feel your degree makes or breaks job opportunities within sales?

Does Your Degree Matter?

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80 comments

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JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
10
AM
It’s a box you need to check on many job applications. That’s the only place it’s helped me. 
beerisforclosers
Politicker
0
Account Manager
Agreed - just shows you can commit and complete something a little tough. 
AinslieStreet
Politicker
6
Sales Consultant
I have a BS in Biology... which seems like it shouldn't help, but I'm in veterinary sales and having a scientific background is SUPER helpful when dealing with veterinarians and their staff. 

More than that, I'd say that it's my dozen years of experience as a veterinary technician, though, rather than the degree. 

I think it probably depends on who your target demographic is as to what degrees are useful. 
BCD
Politicker
1
BDR
That’s awesome to hear and definitely unique! 
PIPboy69
Catalyst
1
CSM
Way to leverage your expertise!

OMG_It_has_a_watermark
Good Citizen
1
Head of Sales
This is actually really cool. I am sure what you've learned does come in handy with having the background knowledge from your degree. I think in your case the question would be, do you think the degree or the tech experience is what made you most knowledgeable & successful. (probably a loaded question considering I'm not sure if you need a degree to be a tech) 
AinslieStreet
Politicker
1
Sales Consultant
Great question! 

so in my state, generally, a degree is not REQUIRED to work as a veterinary technician, but is highly encouraged and the field is working towards blanket certification requirements. To become a licensed technician, you need an associates and to pass an exam. I have not done this, but I have a bachelor’s. 

its a whole thing. 

I would argue that it’s mostly my tech experience that they like. I’m one of them. I’ve been in their trenches alongside them. I am comfortable telling them what they need and what will make their jobs better because I AM them. 

the degree came in handy when I was selling bougie dog food and was running continuing education programs for veterinarians where I had to educate them on nutrition and research in the space. 

... not QUITE as much science now that I’m selling pet cremation services! Haha!
Incognito
WR Officer
3
Master of Disaster
Honestly, trade school is a much better ROI than a college degree. 

Especially considering the skills of everyone in the WR. Y’all would be making millions with a construction firm in under 5 years. 

That aside, I finished my degree “for fun” while I had my own full time business. I did a business minor with an Art History major. Definitely checked a box for many employers (especially big firms), but there are people here who don’t have degrees making six figures (CRM management people!). 

Every interview I’ve had since hasn’t even asked for a resume, because I made it into a top 4 brokerage already. They just want to know my sales stats. 
BCD
Politicker
1
BDR
That’s awesome, congrats on your success! 
Incognito
WR Officer
0
Master of Disaster
Not sure about that but I’m hustling like the rest of y’all 🤘
thegrinch
Politicker
1
SDR
If you can get into a top school, you can not beat being around the best and brightest. 
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
a good way to level up forsure
Incognito
WR Officer
0
Master of Disaster
It’s just for the networking. My sister got a Harvard MBA. The quality of education isn’t necessarily better, but the people you meet are vital for your Rolodex 
Theloanemperor
Opinionated
0
Loan Officer
YESSIR!!!
SaaSguy
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
I think for landing my first SDR gig back in the day a marketing degree was a plus, in reality it didn't make the slightest difference in skillset. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
My undergrad is in History.  I am in no way a historian haha.  

I do wish I had opted for a business-related major though, just to give me some sort of baseline or functional understanding.  However, at the time I had no idea I'd go the route that I did.  Decided to go back and get my MBA to play catch up on some of the things I feel that I missed along the way.  Certainly not a requirement, just felt it was the right choice for me, and I'm not paying a dime out of pocket.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Do you feel as though your MBA has filled in any gaps that your major may have left? 
RingRingGoesTheTelephone
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I have a BA in History as well. While it doesn't have anything to do with Business, I've found it's actually helped me in pre-qualifying and prospecting. History courses in college, as you know, required a shit ton of research and reading/writing, so that skill has helped me a lot.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Interesting. Sales does take a bit of research - research the industry, research the company, research their competitors, research your prospects. 
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
It did when I entered sales, but after my experience outpaced my education, I barely even mention it on my resume now. 
Brbman01
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Degree in psychology, it helps a little bit with understanding how prospects think. Nothing that you couldn't learn from reading some sales books or a few google searches though.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Wish I minored in psych!
SalesSage
Valued Contributor
2
National Account Manager
Just another box that tells nothing about your actual skill level. It tells more about your financial status at this point, meaning if you can afford it!
BCD
Politicker
1
BDR
a lot of truth 
PineappleYa
Opinionated
1
AE
pick a degree, any degree... then just tell a compelling story about why you want to be there. research the company - target the people you speak with on LI  and be genuine about it... no specific degrees needed Me: poly sci>marine bio>pre med here I am in sales... the opps are what you create and who you talk to. 
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
truth!
OMG_It_has_a_watermark
Good Citizen
1
Head of Sales
I don't think there is a right or wrong answer - but I'll say this, I never check if or where someone I am interviewing went to school because I don't think it speaks to if they will be successful.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Awesome to hear! My last company grilled me on why I chose the University I did and it made me feel less than. Truth be told, I picked the University because it was what I could afford, while my top choice (that I did get admitted into), was too costly. 
OMG_It_has_a_watermark
Good Citizen
0
Head of Sales
Yea, I went the opposite route. Dropped 100K that I absolutely couldn't afford on an education I didn't need. And my 10% interest rate on my student loan is AWESOME. 
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
BA in communication. Some of the most successful salespeople I know don't have degrees. Thankfully the stigma attached to not having one is going away.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
More than that, I'd say that it's my dozen years of experience as a veterinary technician, though, rather than the degree. 
stanrym
Valued Contributor
0
CEO
Finance and Banking
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
fair 
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
I guess if you  are with psychology degree it can help you with sales. Everyone on my leadership is loving them Psychology books
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Agree!!
Sunset
Politicker
0
Senior AE
MSc in Marketing..
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
0
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Sooo.. when did you realize that Marketing wasn't for you? How did the switch to sales happen?
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Would like to know as well! 
Sunset
Politicker
0
Senior AE
I actually took up a placement role as an BDR towards the end of my MSc, ended up doing pretty well and after couple of months moved to a junior account exec. Money started rolling and have never left. So while I have a bachelors and masters in Marketing, I have never worked a day as a marketer! 
funcoupons
WR Officer
0
👑
A business related degree/MBA could be valuable for sales roles in some companies, especially if you're selling in the enterprise sphere but overall I don't think most companies give a damn about degrees for their sales people (and they shouldn't.) A degree doesn't mean anything, especially these days when a Bachelor's is the new high school diploma.

I don't recommend young people go to college unless it's absolutely necessary for their career path (law, medicine etc.) Trades school and/or on the job experience is way more valuable and won't put you into crippling debt.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Did you go the trade school route? 
BlueJays2591
Politicker
0
Federal Business Dev Director
I believe my degrees have helped out. Could i have been successful without them? yes, but probably not to this degree. 
BCD
Politicker
1
BDR
What are your degrees in? 
BlueJays2591
Politicker
0
Federal Business Dev Director
Business Intelligence for undergrad and then an MBA
Smithy
Politicker
0
Director of Sales
It’s only important if it’s a pre-requisite for the role. 

it doesn’t help you in a sales role at all. 
I_cant_read
Catalyst
0
Ent. AE
I have a fucking criminal justice degree, like an absolute moron.

Kind of stumbled into sales gig by luck but will say being a 26 year old BDR was fun
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
BDR at 26, and not sure I find it fun ahah - enlighten me? 
Broncosfan
Politicker
0
Account Manager
My degree matters, what my degree is in doesn't at the moment.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
my apologies, of course all degrees matter! My question was more so if your degree choice ever hindered you from a job opportunity 
paddy
WR Officer
0
Director of Business Development
It doesn't matter but at the same time I think it's important in the sense that college teaches you how to learn and how to go about understanding something, regardless of what the degree is.
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
I agree! I would say it also shows you can complete a commitment 
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
0
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
BS in Business and Sports Marketing. My entrepreneurship Minor has probably helped more than anything else tbh. School offers a decent "framework" but isn't as adequate as "experience" because experience will teach you that there is no real framework, you have to adapt and pivot with change. And change is abundant these days.. 
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
truth 
TheRealPezDog
Notable Contributor
0
Account Manager
Marketing.  Please don't downvote me for this!  I've never actually held a Marketing job nor would I ever want to (let's be honest though about that last part, who doesn't want a cushy salary to do absolutely nothing and serve no actual purpose.  

"Sure I'd like to pick colors and sell without pressure or quotas"
aiko
Politicker
0
Sr. Account Executive
I have a BA and MA in Communication. It has helped me speak and LISTEN to my prospects. 
MaSaaSter
Opinionated
0
US BD Lead
Yes, and no. I had a data analytics and finance degree when I graduated, which gave me a leg up on some of my peers within the sales part of my org (a SaaS company). The reason I had a leg up, is we were speaking with technical stakeholders, and I was able to speak their language, as I had coding/technical experience. Although this can be helpful in those instances, it generally is not as commonplace as one would think. So overall, I would say it doesn't really matter, but can provide some benefits when more in-depth conversations are being had. 
Bittersweet0326
Politicker
0
Digital Business Associate
To be honest the experience in college and a few of the classes helped. But not for what I paid. I got my BS in Business Admin back in 2008. I have never had to prove that I have it. 
CCP
Opinionated
0
VP, Business Development
Bachelors of Business Admin. Concentration... Marketing. I feel shame. Shame everyday. 
BCD
Politicker
0
BDR
Haha! No shame! Who knows what they're doing in college anyway 
RampagingDog
Politicker
0
Recruitment Consultant
I've got a BS in Getting Shit Done from The School of Hard Knocks, and I'm a proud alumni of the fraternity Un Kappa Few, president of my chapter at one point actually. 
justatopproducer
Politicker
0
VP OF SALES -US
None, was going for Business but had my first $100k year when I was 21 and was offered a promotion. Kind of wish I finished with only a year left, but I can always go back or finish online. Maybe when I retire? In my eyes, I took away what I needed to be successful without the degree at the end, and was debt free after a few years later. Plus, not many people can say they have strong, successful, sales experience in different fields for 15 years and be 35.  
proudprospector
Catalyst
0
Business Development Representative
BS in UX & computer systems. Helpful to understand what SaaS products I am confident selling

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