Corporate partners opening doors for Dukes

JMU’s Center for Professional Sales (CPS), hosted within the College of Business, supports the Department of Marketing sales curriculum, but their primary focus is on cultivating and maintaining a network of corporate partners who bring real-world business scenarios to the student learning experience.

The CPS currently has a network of 16 corporate partners, representing industries that range from legal, tax, regulatory and business-information services to IT staffing and apparel. These partners contribute to classroom experiences and have unique opportunities to meet with students and to recruit for internship and full-time job positions. 

Over the past three years, there have been 186 full-time job placements for College of Business graduates from the classes of 2022, 2023 and 2024, thanks to the CPS’s corporate partner network. In addition to full-time opportunities, the network has provided 141 paid internships during this same period, further contributing to students’ professional development and readiness to enter the corporate world.

“I think the biggest benefit to JMU students who take advantage of CPS programming is building direct relationships with corporate partners within the industry. They are truly a great resource, whether you simply connect with them on LinkedIn or interview for a position at their company,” says senior marketing major Gaby Mabalay. 

Mabalay was introduced to a variety of sales roles through her participation in CPS events. Whether it’s in-class role-plays with Tom James and Cvent, a Capital Ale House networking dinner or serving as a sales leader to current MKTG 430 students, Mabalay says, “having the opportunity to foster and build relationships with corporate professionals really opened the door for me to explore careers and ultimately accept a full-time position with Tom James post-graduation.” She will graduate in December 2024 and begin her role with Tom James as a Sales Professional in February 2025. 

In addition to providing job and internship opportunities, corporate partners visit classrooms to simulate real sales role-plays and act as mentors and judges in center-hosted sales competitions. They can also take advantage of opportunities to act as guest speakers for student organizations, demonstrating expertise and adding another dimension to students’ education. 

“Through this collaborative engagement with corporate partners, the center has developed a reputation for producing highly capable sales professionals who are not only skilled in their craft but also attuned to the ethical and principled-business practices that JMU aims to instill in its students,” says Richard Tate, director of the CPS. 

In addition to the center’s focus on engaged learning, it has achieved tremendous success in fundraising from participating corporate partners. Since the center’s founding in 2015, corporate partners have contributed more than $530,000 to the CPS. These funds have been instrumental in enhancing student learning, providing additional scholarships and supporting student travel to intercollegiate sales competitions, where students have the opportunity to compete on national stages, expand their professional networks and gain exposure to a diverse range of sales practices from other universities. 

JMU’s CPS serves as a model for the way academic and corporate collaboration can drive meaningful career outcomes. By blending real-world experiences with academic rigor, the CPS and its network of corporate partners not only prepares students for successful sales careers but also strengthens JMU’s ties with leading industries and professionals. As the center continues to grow, it remains a pivotal resource for all JMU students, equipping them with the skills, connections and confidence to excel in a competitive job market.