Marketing Management students give “shark tank” style pitch as final exam

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Technical College prepares students with hands-on training, which leads to non-traditional final exams. Professional Selling and Entrepreneurship students will apply what they’ve learned this semester with a “shark tank” style presentation plus business plan or manuscript as their final exam representing one-third of their overall grade.

“The shark-tank style pitch competition that we are using for the professional selling and entrepreneurship programs have really amped the fun and excitement for students,” said Savannah Technical College adjunct-instructor Catherine Blake. “Our students are often military veterans and career changers. The pitch gives them the confidence they need to crush the interview, land the job or close new business. I like to think that we are changing lives and giving some a fresh start in life.”

Students are given criteria for their pitch to either land their dream job, go for a promotion from within, land an investor or important customer. The presentations are timed and presented to the entire class, where other students act as the “sharks.” Students receive their official grade from the instructor. To add to the suspense of the student presentations, the other students will score each other to determine the overall winner. The class will also provide an opportunity for a “Leadership Award” for the student who has demonstrated good character, professionalism, and the spirit to help others. 

“This professional selling class has significantly increased my confidence in my ability to sell and present myself to others,” said STC Marketing student and U.S. Marine Corps reservist Corporal Xavier Hollie. “I highly recommend this class to anyone, regardless of what degree you pursue.”

STC Hospitality student Piea Delos Santos said: “Thanks to the Professional Selling class we are better prepared for job interviews. We are sure to land the job because we were given a step-by-step process. This class has helped me become less anxious speaking in front of a crowd, which is a big deal to me since I’m a very reserved and quiet person.”

Last semester in the Professional Selling class, students Amaya Baker and Gemya Gadson landed internal promotions based on their “shark tank” style final exam presentations. Another student, Bronwyn Dawson pitched her business plan to an imaginary official for the City of Savannah. Dawson is an U.S. Army veteran, will graduate from Savannah Technical College in May 2021 with a Marketing Management degree and was a candidate for “BizPitch Savannah 2020” Entrepreneurial Competition presented by SCORE.

“STC’s marketing program has helped me tremendously prepare to open my business,” STC Marketing Management and U.S. Army active duty Sergeant Varquesha Henderson. “I’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills that will help me run my proposed business successfully.”

Entrepreneurship and Professional Selling are included in STC’s Marketing programs (degree and diploma).  Both courses may be taken as business-type electives in the Business Management program. Entrepreneurship is offered as a specialization in Marketing and also as a technical certificate of credit (TCC). Professional selling is required for Marketing and is an elective for Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. Entrepreneurship is offered in the fall semester only. Professional Selling will be offered in Spring 2021, where classes begin on January 13.

###

# 2115 | December 8, 2020