Where Sales and Admission differs
A sale is a one-time transaction, but admissions is just one step of many until the student obtains his or her degree, graduates and begins a new career he/she can feel proud and satisfied with.
Until the graduation is achieved the education experience will be difficult and challenging. But as since admissions accompanies them through this process, we can help them overcome these obstacles.
Montrez,
We should always remind ourselves of the impact that we have on these students. This is their future and information that we provide is critical in their decision-making.
Patty Aronoff
I routinely and consistently remind my team that we are impacting students lives by empowering them to further their education for a better life for themselves and their families. This to me is much more than sales...we are changing lives for the fantastic.
I feel the same way Andrea! In the past, I disliked everything about my "sales" job with insurance, but now working with students does not feel like it is selling anything to them. With sales, I feel like people are trying to sell something the person may not want, or need. We are providing education for students, and that can truly change someone's life. To me, that makes all the difference in the world and at the end of the day, I go home really knowing I helped someone reach their goal and change their life for the better!
I totally agree, I don't believe this should be categorized as "sales". We are improving the life of students one by one! This is a life changing experience for our students!
Suzanne,
Follow up after graduation! Graduates are great sources of PDL's or personally develop leads.
Patty Aronoff
Follow-up follow-up until graduation
I would have to agree with you Andrea. There can be pressures to hit an enrollment goal. Whether, it be weekly, monthly, annually etc. and it can feel a bit "sales-ish". It does go away for me as well once I am speaking to a potential student. I am able to relay with enthusiasm the wonderful benefits my Institution can offer and assist them in the search in finding a curriculum that will help broaden their lives with knowledge. Best feeling!
Andrea,
Great advice! We do have to be mindful of the metrics and are under much pressure to meet them. But as you stated, we are dealing with the person in front of us and the reward is great.
Patty Aronoff
The part about admissions that feels sales-oriented to me is hitting the numbers - for enrollments, starts, etc. Sometimes the pressure to exceed those numbers can make the job feel sales-ish. However, the minute I have a student on the phone or in front of me, that feeling goes away, and the whole process transforms into one of helping another person achieve his/her goals and dreams. Keeping these dynamics separate is vital in doing the rightthing.
Ann-Kathrin,
This is wherebpeople have trouble using the term sale. We are providing an opportunity for a change in a persons life through education.
Patty Aronoff
Rebecca,
People struggle with the terms so in admissions. We are providing the opportunity for students to change their life and achieve an education for the future.
Patty Aronoff
Juan,
It is a process and it is also a business contract. We need to be upfront, honest, ethical, and always prepared to do business the compliant way.
Patty Aronoff
I have worked in sales before and I did not enjoy anything about the process. Working in Admissions the only thing we "sell" is a better future for the student. Understanding that my task is not to sell and idea or product but rather create value in the school and the future of the individual is a much more effective method. Also, I sincerely enjoy helping individuals and knowing that most of the individuals that I have had the pleasure of helping would not have gone to school if had not been for the assistance that I provided.
Thanks,
Rebecca Parker
As a Admission Representative, it is important to remember it is a process. The student has placed thier future in your hands. We have a moral and ethical obligation to live up to, assisting in any way we can.
