NC State Sales Club Among Finalists at UNCW Hendrick Sales Competition

At the Sales Club at NC State, we believe that the best way to learn sales is to do it. Recently, our members traveled to the coast to compete in the Hendrick Automotive Sales Competition at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), and the results were a testament to the talent within our program.

In a field of over 150 fierce competitors from across the region, NC State stood out. We are thrilled to announce that three of our club members placed among the Top 10 Finalists, securing scholarship awards and professional recognition from one of the largest automotive groups in the country. Congratulations to Shire Thompson, Indio Skinner, and Raj Rathod, for reaching the finals, as well as our seven other competitors, Xavier Mazza, Aidan O’Grady, Marianna Fisher, Anna Lowe, Radhika Kulkarni, Rex Hunter, and Aditya Gupta for reaching the semi-final round of the competition.

”I learned so much about sales strategy, handling objections, and even the details of cars (which I knew almost nothing about before!). Beyond the competition itself, I loved meeting so many motivated students and professionals from Hendrick Automotive Group who shared great insights about sales and customer satisfaction.”

- Leah De Metz, Student, SKEMA Business School & Poole College of Management

The UNCW competition is a high-pressure environment designed to mimic a professional sales cycle. Our students were evaluated on:

• Need Discovery: Asking the right questions to understand a customer’s pain points.

• Professionalism: Maintaining a consultative demeanor under pressure.

• Closing: Navigating objections and securing a commitment.

Competing against strong programs from UNCW, ECU, UNCG, and Liberty University, our “Wolfpack Rockstars” proved that NC State’s training in the Poole College of Management prepares students for the highest levels of professional negotiation.

While the scholarship money and trophies are a great perk, the real value of these trips is the networking. Our students spent the day interacting directly with recruiters and executives from Hendrick Automotive Group, turning a competition into a massive career opportunity.

"Watching our members transition from the classroom to a high-stakes competition floor and excel is exactly what this club is about. We don't just talk about sales; we go out and win."

- Jayden Ford, President, Sales Club at NC State

The Sales Club at NC State is always looking for students who want to sharpen their communication skills, build their resumes, and win competitions like this one. Whether you are a freshman looking to explore sales or a senior ready to land a job, there is a seat for you at our next meeting.