Sales Managers

You can explore this career by developing your managerial skills in general. Whether you're involved in drama, sports, school publications, or a part-time job, there are managerial duties associated with any organized activity. These can involve planning, scheduling, managing other workers or volunteers, fund-raising, or budgeting. Additionally, talk with sales managers about their careers to get an idea of the rewards and challenges of this profession.

Join student business organizations—such as Junior Achievement (https://jausa.ja.org), DECA (https://www.deca.org), Future Business Leaders of America (https://www.fbla.org), and Business Professionals of America (http://bpa.org) to learn more about the business world and participate in activities that develop your leadership, managerial, and financial management skills. Some organizations offer sales competitions. For example, the Future Business Leaders of America offers a Sales Presentation competition in which participants must demonstrate their ability to sell a product or service.

You should also get involved in summer exploration programs in sales and general business for high school students that are offered by colleges and universities to learn more about these fields.