Social Flight School Student Preparation
Participation Paths
- Compete at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC)
- Coach your peers at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC)
- Help run the event on Friday morning as an attendant for development blocks, judge room, or career fair at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC) or an attendant at Social Flight School. Learn, network, help others, and get workers perks like Amazon gift cards and wearing casual UToledo/ESSPS swag all at the same time!
- Engage in role play social situations within a business context and get coaching at Social Flight School
- Each path earns you Eureka points with UToledo that you can redeem for rewards throughout the year
Why Attend
- Improve interpersonal skills in an interactive environment while learning about various sales career opportunities
- Expand your career contact network by talking to firms you might have missed at the college job fair and/or meeting new contacts
- Increase and direct your exposure to the firms that are focused on recruiting sales talent
- Follow-up in person with the firms you are currently targeting for employment
- Meet the individual(s) who might become your next manager!!!
- ...required for those taking a professional sales class this semester because Social Flight School is designed to help with professional development and recruiting. If you are unable to attend Social Flight School, you need to talk with your instructor ASAP and have documentation in order to receive the alternate assignment. Otherwise, you are expected to be there.
Prepare
- Request time off or an altered schedule at work, if needed
- Accept the calendar invite from the Edward Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) to make sure the event is on your calendar and that you have important event information and links at your fingertips. Only students who complete the engagement survey by the deadline will receive the calendar invite. Calendar invites go out during week 3 of the semester.
- Prepare conversation starters and social topics for discussion
- Research the companies using the attendee information found in Launchpad's Corporate Partner Info channel
- Update resume and/or personal business cards
- Compose tailored cover letters for the top firms you are targeting
- Follow ESSPS social media for updates (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- Practice your opening
- Select an appropriate business casual outfit and make sure it is clean and tidy
Access to Launchpad/Teams is for registered attendees, key partner contacts, and students that completed their engagement survey by the deadline. You will receive an email from Microsoft Teams that you have been granted access to the team (ie: Launchpad).
Social scene possibilities include: networking reception at a conference, dinner with a customer executive, golf outing, holiday office party, client appreciation event at a sports game, trade show happy hour, business flight, company lunch-n-learn, and volunteer event with co-workers and/or customers.
Plot twists can be etiquette or ethical based. Possibilities include alcohol consumption, tripping, dealing with a loud talker, receiving confidential information, etc. Plot twists are not shared in advance with the students so they can think on their feet.
Students and corporate partners get the assignment schedules (individual for students and comprehensive for corporate partners) in Launchpad 1-2 weeks in advance so they can prepare.
At the event, remember to submit a QR code survey for each social scene that you visit.
What to Bring and how to Dress
- Personal business cards
- Something to take notes on and a pen
- Business casual attire
Refreshment
- Water and lemonade provided
Follow-up
- Send brief follow-up letters to the business professionals you met thanking them for their time/guidance/information/etc and/or expressing your excitement for pursuing a career with their company
- Follow-up on any next steps that were discussed during the event (send a LinkedIn request, forward a resume, send availability to schedule job shadow or interview, apply online, etc)