Technical Sales Minor
This minor is designed to accommodate undergraduates enrolled in engineering and engineering technology and in science who wish to augment their majors with further studies in industrial or technical sales. This minor is designed for non-business majors. The objective of the minor is to acquaint the technical students of these majors with the issues and methods associated with industrial or technical sales. Relevant studies include principles of management, operations management, supply chain management, marketing, logistics systems, procurement, personal selling or business-to-business marketing, and project management. Students who complete the minor will be positioned for career opportunities as direct sales engineers who play a key role in the selection, purchase, installation, and maintenance of technical products by selling technology and engineering solutions, or as manufacturing representatives who independently form contracts in exclusive marketing territories for multiple small manufacturers of compatible but not competing technical products.
Related Career Fields
Arts Business and Finance Engineering Life and Physical Sciences Mathematics Media and Communications TechnologyRelated Occupations
Professionals in this field gather and interpret data about consumer behavior, market conditions, and product effectiveness. They solve problems related to understanding target audiences, improving marketing strategies, and identifying competitive advantages. Work is primarily office-based and involves statistical tools, surveys, and collaboration with marketing teams.
Professionals study and develop materials to improve product performance and durability. They solve problems involving strength, weight, heat resistance, and environmental sustainability of materials. Work occurs in laboratories, manufacturing plants, or R&D facilities.
Mechanical engineers design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems and devices, from engines to robotics. They solve problems related to energy transfer, materials performance, and mechanical efficiency. Work settings include engineering offices, research labs, and industrial production facilities.
Operations researchers apply mathematical models and analytical methods to help organizations make better decisions. They tackle problems in logistics, scheduling, resource allocation, and efficiency. Work is often office-based and involves simulation modeling, optimization algorithms, and business strategy support.
Petroleum engineers design and implement methods for extracting oil and gas from beneath the Earth’s surface. They solve technical challenges related to drilling, reservoir management, and production efficiency. Work occurs in offices, laboratories, and remote field locations such as drilling rigs or offshore platforms.
Project managers lead teams to complete defined objectives on time and within budget. They plan tasks, allocate resources, manage risks, and coordinate stakeholders. They solve problems involving scope creep, time constraints, and team dynamics. Work occurs primarily in offices, though site visits are common in industries like construction, IT, or manufacturing.
Professionals source goods and services for organizations, negotiating contracts and ensuring cost-effective purchasing. They address challenges like supply chain disruptions, budget constraints, and vendor reliability. Work typically takes place in offices, but can involve supplier site visits and logistics coordination.
Software developers build applications, while QA specialists test them for bugs and performance issues. Together, they solve problems of functionality, user experience, and reliability. Work is collaborative, involving agile teams, coding environments, and testing platforms—either in-office or remotely.
Surveyors measure land and map property boundaries for construction, legal, and developmental use. They solve problems related to land ownership, construction planning, and infrastructure projects. Work involves both office-based data analysis and extensive fieldwork with specialized equipment.
Workers in this field review tax filings, audit financial records, and ensure compliance with tax laws. They help resolve discrepancies and enforce legal standards around public revenue collection. The work is largely desk-based with some field investigations or taxpayer interviews.
Professionals in this field build and design websites, applications, and digital experiences. They combine coding skills with design principles to create visually appealing, functional, and accessible digital products. They solve problems related to user experience, performance optimization, and cross-platform compatibility. Work is typically done in an office or remote setting, often as part of a development or marketing team.