Student Research

COLLEGE OF COMMERCE STUDENT SURVEY

Every two years, the Center for Sales Leadership conducts a survey of all College of Commerce students to determine their attitudes toward sales curriculum and sales careers. The survey focuses on student awareness of curriculum, behaviors in selecting classes, personal interests and characteristics, opinions on career choices and propensity to pursue a sales career.

Over 700 students from a representative sample of 4400 students in the DePaul University College of Commerce responded to the 2007-2008 survey.

Key findings in our most recent survey include:

  • Student “buzz” (reputation among student body) is the primary driver of program awareness
  • Schedule and peer opinion drives class selection
  • Students exhibit conflicting self-images, such as “rejection doesn’t bother me” and “I avoid asking for things”
  • Sales careers rank below average in prestige, lifestyle, earnings and satisfaction
  • Students believe a sales career could be a good choice because of variety, challenge and personal responsibility
  • Students believe a sales career might be a bad choice because of commission, quotas and time away from home
  • 19.8% indicate “very likely” or “likely” to pursue a sales career
  • 80.8% believe it is somewhat or absolutely necessary for classes to be taught by instructors with academic experience
  • 94.4% believe it is somewhat or absolutely necessary for classes to be taught by instructors with a sales career background

SALES LEADERSHIP STUDENT SURVEY

Every quarter, the Center for Sales Leadership conducts a survey of all Sales Leadership Program students to determine shift in their attitudes and opinions which occur from their entrance into the program until their graduation with a sales minor. The survey focuses on student awareness of curriculum, attributes to be a successful sales professional, expected earning potential, and propensity to pursue a sales career.

Key findings in our most recent survey include:

  • Students with no experience in a sales class or career are unlikely to pursue a sales career (16%)
  • Student with some experience in a sales career are somewhat more likely to pursue a sales career (21%)
  • Students with experience in a sales class are even more likely to pursue a sales career (37%)
  • Student who graduate with a sales minor are very likely to pursue a sales career (67%)