ESSPS Internal Sales Competition and Fall Fete attract recruiters, benefits students

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) hosted their annual Internal Sales Competition and Fall Fete on October 6 for their students.

The two round competition format incorporated recruiters as judges, coaches and buyers.  “This was strictly an internal competition, and totally different than our annual UT Invitational Sales Competition where we bring in 36 universities from coast to coast,” explained Deirdre Jones, ESSPS Director.

Left to right are Morgan Tansel, Alex Edinger, and Octavio Vazquez

At the end of the competition, sales students and judges traveled to Hensville in downtown Toledo for the annual Fall Fete, also an important event as it was a time for business-casual social interaction among students, alumni, and businesses.

“ESSPS provides special recruitment and professional development events throughout the year to assist our students in developing their sales networking skills, refining their sales and personal career plans, and providing them with valuable network connections. All of these are critical components to the students’ professional preparation and overall career success, which is why our students are required to attend and participate.”

Jones explained that students have a complete checklist of things to do before, during and even after the internal competition and fete, such as reviewing and selecting conversation starters; practicing their personal introduction; researching participating companies; obtaining their personal business cards; socializing and networking during the event; and following up with certain individuals after the event.

“We are incredibly proud that our job placement rate for our students is consistently over 90%, “ Jones said.

“The activities of this entire Internal Competition day - - and everything we do for our students throughout their entire UT ESSPS experience - - contributes to their ultimate educational and career success.”  

Congratulations to the Internal Sales Competition (ISC) Winners Alex Edinger (Senior Division) and Haley Orr (Junior Division) and all the other finalists: Senior Division Octavio Vazquez-Ederra, Morgan Tansel, Shaelyn O'Hara, Andrew Brownlee, Jordan Dolph.  Junior Division Parker Tredwell, Matt Schaffer, Kaeleigh Wilkins, Hanna Capell, and Liam Rogers.

“Your talent, coachability, and grit were on display,” Jones said.  Well done Rockets!”