Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Sales Managers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Columbia Southern University, Troy University, John C Calhoun State Community College, and University of West Alabama.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Troy University, University of West Alabama, Auburn, and University of North Alabama.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Judson.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Oakwood University, Talladega College, James H Faulkner State Community College, and NWSCC.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Athens State, Troy University, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, and University of West Alabama.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Oakwood University, Columbia Southern University, Tuskegee University, and Samford University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Talladega College, Birmingham Southern, Oakwood University, and Spring Hill College.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Auburn, Samford University, Birmingham Southern, and UA Hunstville.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Alabama State, Alabama A & M, Spring Hill College, and Oakwood University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Birmingham Southern, Tuskegee University, Alabama A & M, and UAB.
Working as a Sales Manager in Alabama
Sales managers oversee and direct sales activity in order to meet organizational goals. Some of their responsibilities include assigning and managing sales territories, setting and tracking progress toward goals, working with marketers to identify new products that meet customers' needs, and managing regional and local sales staff. Read a detailed Sales Manager job description and schools overview.
State Requirements
The State of Alabama does not regulate the practices of sales managers. Depending on the industry, employers may give preference to candidates holding a bachelor's degree in business, journalism, advertising, or even in a technology field.
Major Industries
Most sales managers in Alabama work in the following industries:
- Retail Sales
- Industrial Sales
- Advertising and Related Services
- Sales Consultants
- Employment Services
- Automotive Sales
Major Employers
A few of the major employers of sales managers in Alabama are:
- Sales and Marketing Associates Inc.(Retail Sales)
- Sales Consultants International, Inc.(Sales Consultants)
- A to Z Sales, Inc.(Retail Sales)
- Sales Support Alabama, Inc.(Employment Services)
- Active Sales, Inc.(Advertising and Related Services)
- Cash's Auto Sales, Incorporated(Automotive Sales)
- Destiny Casual Sales(Retail Sales)
- Duckworth Industrial Sales(Industrial Sales)
- Duane Coshatt Sales, Inc.(Industrial Sales)
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Alabama At Birmingham • Birmingham, AL
Studying Political Science (completion in 2002)
• 10/29/2011
"UAB was good for me. It met my personal needs and allowed me to focus on my own life while I attended the school. The people at the university were helpful and the campus was easy to maneuver around."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The school itself has little to do with my career or the path I've taken. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to go to school in a small, easy-going city like Birmingham who is not seeking a sociable college experience but simply wants more of an academic experience in the midst of a small, family-oriented city. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I'd say the UAB Political Science program's reputation is average. It is good within the state of Alabama, however outside of the state, it is not well known. |
| Program Quality | 8 | UAB provided me with a good program in the field of Political Science, overall. The majority of teachers were enthusiastic and capable. |
| Instruction | 8 | The quality of instruction I received at UAB was very good. I was well prepared for graduate school. I received a well-rounded education as a result of the curriculum requirements, which I appreciate. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I would not say the program of study was very difficult, but more average. Because of this, I was able to take extra classes to complete a double major and work a full time job as well to support my way through college without accruing student loan debt. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My program was entirely book and lecture learning. I can not imagine how it could have been hands on, being political science. Perhaps, though, it could have been more so, in some manner. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | UAB's scheduling flexibility varies, depending on your program. My classes were always during daytime business hours, however I believe there are more flexible class times for some programs. I never took an evening or weekend class. I am not aware of UAB having online courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | UAB has excellent resource accessibility with very warm, friendly, helpful people you can receive help from. This is one of the strong points about the University. The libraries are very accessible as well and are conveniently located. |
| Social Life | 4 | Many students at UAB simply attend school there and do not participate in any school activities, campus events, athletic functions, or university-oriented social life. While some do, a majority commute to campus and return home to study, work, and enjoy their families. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The job placement and career services at UAB are average. They are available for you if you seek them out, however I have never used them. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I am not very aware of an alumni network for UAB. I've never received information directed at me as an alumni, so I'd gather that UAB has not invested much in developing or maintaining one. |
Central Alabama Community College • Childersburg, AL
Studying Business (completion in 2010)
• 12/11/2011
"I wasn't at all satisfied with my degree. I really paid for a degree; I didn't get to earn it, which was the worst part. I can't believe that they are really failing the students in that way. It feels so amazing to earn something, and in the end, they are only hurting the ones who are there for help."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | You actually don't need a degree, but it helps. When choosing a college, make sure you find one in which the professors do not give A's to students who sleep in class and do not do their homework. You owe yourself more than that. You owe your brain a chance to grow. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | I actually grew up in the neighborhood, and several friends and family members went to the school, and the business program is still incomplete. They offer classes at another university, but they don't announce or promote the program. Which, as weak as it is, they shouldn't. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Business came naturally to me; the school just gave me the title I needed. I wish college would have been more challenging. I think that if I had gone to a better school, I wouldn't be stuck in retail. |
| Instruction | 3 | Community college was much like high school. It was easy and didn't provide me with any challenge. The school has other programs that are promising, but their 2-year degree is sort of laughable. |
| How Difficult | 1 | School was way too easy; it was a pat on the back. All good grades, no real work. I am a worker. I don't connect unless I am challenged. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Besides computer class, I always did bookwork. The school itself didn't even have computers for every teacher in the rooms. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | They offer night classes, day classes and weekend classes. That is one of the pluses of this school; they really are open to working with women, men and teens who need help. It is almost inspirational. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Most tutor groups are student founded. Staff really don't seem to go above and beyond. Class always ends early, with questions never answered. There is a small library that is very dated. The books are old and the computer systems are old. I did all my research at the local medical library. |
| Social Life | 5 | They have a few outings, field trips, and student sporting events. They are not the main campus, but the main campus is over an hour away, and I was not going to drive over an hour to see strangers (people I do not go to school with every day). The main campus is wonderful; however, I didn't get those options. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I went to another university, and compared to this one, they put you out on a limb. You have a list they give you, but other than that, there are no other connections they are willing to make. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | You are on your own. There are programs you can do, but you really have to find them for yourself. It is a local school, so chances you know someone are good, but chances they can help you are small. |
Auburn University • Auburn, AL
Studying Business Administration - Marketing (completion in 2003)
• 1/9/2012
"I was very satisfied with my educational experience at Auburn and will always have school spirit in me! I recommend the school to others at any opportunity."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Absolutely - my experience at Auburn was genuine and I always felt at home. The diversity of the student body and faculty added to the welcoming feel you get as soon as you step onto the campus. There is something for everyone there - first and foremost, a quality education and college experience. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Auburn University's Lowder College of Business is ranked nationally in the top 50 business programs and is also highly regarded by employers as a hotbed of good talent. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Auburn University has a very strong business school with experienced faculty - the school is also ranked nationally for their business program. |
| Instruction | 7 | Since I work in the niche field of hospitality, Auburn didn't provide a ton of information regarding that specific field; however, they did provide great instruction for marketing in general, to help me quickly adapt in this job. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Auburn will certainly challenge students, if they wish to work hard to gain the acclaim and experience to get a great job right out of school. The workload was intense at times, but never unfair. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Auburn provided a good amount of book learning, but also surprised me with the amount of field and hands-on learning that the professors were encouraged to provide. We met and worked with leaders in business, and a multitude of options for extra learning were always available. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Auburn provides extremely flexible schedules. They also provide classes on multiple platforms, including online classes. You can also opt to work and study with evening options, and classes are available year-round. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The university is very good at providing good resources to help the students. They also work very diligently to provide the most up-to-date technology, both in the classrooms for teaching and for students' use around campus. The classrooms range in size depending on the class, but after core requirements are done, class sizes remain low, to allow individual attention from the instructors. I never had a problem getting extra help from a professor. |
| Social Life | 8 | Being an SEC school, Auburn is big into athletics, and this is a large part of the college social experience while attending. Greek life is available, but not required or pressured to the students. There are tons of options for students for clubs and activities, and the students are very loyal to the university. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Auburn provided good career placement services and always had career counselors, both in the college itself and at the overall university level, to offer connection and guidance for post-graduation options. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Our alumni association is effective in maintaining contact and delivering news to the alumni. Recently, however, the alumni association seems to have more focus on fundraising than the past goals of alumni connectivity. |
University Of North Alabama • Florence, AL
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2008)
• 3/15/2012
"I received the education I paid for. I don't have emotional or personal attachments or a typical "college experience." However, I received a degree from knowledgeable professors and was given the tools to enter the workforce/my field."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Working in business, and sales especially, can be a 24 hour a day job. The courses will give you the knowledge you need to succeed and the schedule is flexible enough for you to establish working relationships while in school. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | In the area in which I live, a degree from the University of North Alabama is not only acceptable, but impressive. The business program, in particular, has a good reputation in my region. |
| Program Quality | 9 | UNA was great for my program. The business school had a very flexible schedule (weekend, evening, and online classes). Without this, I would have not been able to graduate. |
| Instruction | 5 | I wish there were more classes specific to business and how the business world works. I feel like most of my studies were liberal arts and not very specific to the business world. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Some classes were challenging and others were pretty elementary. The last two years of study were more difficult than the basic core requirement courses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | UNA was a mix between distance learning, lectures, independent study, and hands on learning. I was very satisfied with this as diverse learning is the most effective method. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The UNA Business college was extremely flexible. Evening and online classes were plentiful for my program. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | UNA definitely had an adequate facility. Basic things, like a functional parking system, are needed. However, equipment, libraries, labs, etc. were all above average. |
| Social Life | 5 | I had a limited social experience as I work and have a family to support. UNA athletics is huge I and feel that most students would rate this at least an 8 for the social experience. |
| Placement Services | 4 | For my field, I was given very few job leads. I know the college has a career services center that helps students find jobs and internships after graduation. I think the university is more supportive of nursing students for job placement than liberal arts majors. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I never am contacted from UNA unless I am asked for donations. The only alumni benefit I am aware of is a gym membership. I rarely communicate with classmates or colleagues from the university. |
Samford University • Birmingham, AL
Studying MBA (completion in 2010)
• 3/21/2012
"It was a good fit for me. The scheduling was convenient and the coursework was challenging enough."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Sales managers could probably do without an MBA. However, more education is usually desirable. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The program is well regarded in Birmingham. I don't know how well it is viewed outside of Alabama. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The program was convenient for me and my schedule. It was probably not as prestigious as others, but it worked for me. |
| Instruction | 8 | The instructors were well qualified and the coursework was engaging. I wish it was more applicable to my career field. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program was challenging, but could have been more so. I was well prepared by my undergraduate work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Instruction was mostly theoretical. We did do some case studies and projects, though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The classes were set at predictable times. Schedules were predictable semester to semester. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The library was adequate. Technology subscription services could have been better. |
| Social Life | 4 | The program I was in was a night program. There were no real activities that weren't centered around the undergraduate programs. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I didn't interact with career services. Their presence was limited in the graduate school. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I don't really interact with the alumni network. They invite me to events but I can never find the time to go. |
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