Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is no exam and no required degree. There is a ladder, and it moves fast in both directions.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Get a job that puts you in front of strangers: retail, serving, a call center, anything. Public speaking class if it exists.

2. 2

   Degree, usually

   2 to 4 years

   Business, marketing, communications, or a science or engineering degree if you want medical or industrial sales. Many employers accept any major.

3. 3

   Entry sales role

   1 to 2 years

   Inside sales or business development: calling and emailing new customers to book meetings. Six months to two years of this.

4. 4

   Account executive

   Year 2 to 4

   Your own territory or account list, your own quota, your own commission. This is where the money starts.

5. 5

   Senior, enterprise or management

   Year 5 onward

   Bigger accounts and longer deals, or switching to running a team of reps.