Higher Levels partnered with the University of South Carolina’s Carolina Sales Institute for Engineering and Technology to help engineering students translate their technical skills into high-impact, high-earning tech careers through real-world sales and career training.
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Higher Levels has partnered with the University of South Carolina’s Carolina Sales Institute for Engineering and Technology (CSI-ET) to help students bridge the gap between technical education and real-world sales success.
Led by Eric Finch, co-founder of Higher Levels and former engineer turned enterprise AE, the interactive session gave USC engineering students the frameworks, outreach tactics, and AI-driven tools used by top tech sales professionals today.
For Finch, an Auburn engineering alum who once faced the same lack of clarity and access to top tech companies, the mission is personal: helping engineers discover careers that align with both their skillset and their earning potential.
In states without major tech hubs, engineering students often graduate with strong technical skills but limited exposure to customer-facing or revenue-driving career paths. Additionally, access to genuine insider knowledge in the tech industry can be difficult to find, even through the average alumni network. Tech companies increasingly are sourcing talent from all over the entire US, and tech sales in particular presents a competitive career path for students that want to leverage their technical aptitude in customer facing and performance based roles. Few university programs teach students how to sell, especially how to sell complex technical solutions, let alone teach how to communicate business value, or operate in high-growth software environments.
Finch explained during the session:
“When I was an engineering student at Auburn, I thought staying in engineering was the only way to succeed. Once I discovered tech sales, I realized I could use my technical background while building a career that offered both fulfillment and higher financial upside.”
The partnership between Higher Levels and USC’s CSI-ET is designed to help students make that same realization earlier in their careers.
At its core, Higher Levels brings industry experience directly to campus. Instead of focusing solely on resume workshops or job fairs, these sessions prepare students with the mindsets and skills that high-performing tech sales professionals actually use. It is not a general overview of a 'sales career', it is a highly specialized and focused session on what it takes to break into and ultimately succeed in a tech sales career.
Students learned how to think strategically about their early career choices, how to position their technical background in business conversations, and how to differentiate themselves in interviews. They were introduced to the same frameworks used by top-performing sales teams in the software industry, adapted to a university environment.
Finch emphasized that the goal is not to turn engineers into salespeople overnight. It is to help them understand how sales and communication pair with their unique advantage of having a strong technical aptitude.
Rather than a lecture, the USC session functioned like a live training lab. Students practiced identifying target companies, researching hiring managers, and writing effective outreach messages. They saw firsthand how initiative and communication can open doors long before a formal application is ever reviewed.
This type of interactive learning helps students develop confidence and practical experience that complements their technical education. Finch reminded the group that top candidates often get noticed because they take small, focused actions that demonstrate value early and stand out from the average applicant that is simply applying online or at a career fair.
“You get the job by doing the job. The best people prove they can execute before they ever have a title.”
The workshop also explored the core principles behind success in modern tech organizations: business acumen, curiosity, and adaptability. Students learned how to identify where they create value in a business and how to communicate that value clearly.
These lessons extend far beyond sales. They help any professional build credibility, influence stakeholders, and navigate cross-functional teams effectively. By introducing these ideas early, Higher Levels ensures students enter the workforce with a competitive edge that traditional programs rarely provide.
As part of the session, Finch also introduced how artificial intelligence is transforming sales and customer engagement. Students saw how tools like ChatGPT and Prompt Cowboy are changing how research, communication, and outreach are done in modern organizations where previously reps would spend hours searching online and creating collateral, etc...
This conversation was not just about how to get a job today, but also how to stay adaptable in one of the most volitale job markets in recent history. Finch encouraged students to view AI as a multiplier of their effort and creativity, not a replacement for it. The discussion helped them see how combining technical literacy with communication skills can make them indispensable in the years ahead.
The Carolina Sales Institute for Engineering and Technology is leading the way in redefining what it means to prepare students for the job market. Their collaboration with Higher Levels gives students a clear view of how their technical expertise connects to business outcomes.
Through this partnership, USC students gained access to real-world frameworks, professional networking techniques, and a transparent look at career paths in software sales, sales engineering, and go-to-market strategy.
Higher Levels works with universities across the country to replicate this model combining practical education, mentorship, and hands-on workshops that bridge the final gap between graduation and a high-performance career.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of the partnership between Higher Levels and USC’s CSI-ET?
A: To bring practical, industry-level career training to campus and equip students with the professional skills needed to succeed in modern business environments.
Q: What did the students gain from the workshop?
A: They learned how to identify target employers, craft outreach messages, communicate value effectively, and approach the job search like a professional rather than a student.
Q: Who led the session?
A: The event was led by Eric Finch, founder of Higher Levels and a former engineer who transitioned into tech sales and now coaches thousands of professionals worldwide.
Q: How is this different from typical university career programs?
A: The focus is on execution, adaptability, and mindset rather than checklists or application tips. Students practice what they will actually do in the workforce.
Q: How can other schools get involved?
A: Higher Levels offers university partnerships, workshops, and consulting engagements tailored to specific academic programs and student needs.
If your university or organization wants to bring Higher Levels training to campus, connect with us at https://higherlevels.com/contact-us.
Students ready to explore the tech sales path can join our free community or start the full journey with Tech Sales Ascension.
November 2025
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