CMU professional sales fraternity excels at annual convention

The annual Pi Sigma Epsilon national convention is an opportunity for members from across the country to compete in competitions, interview for scholarships and network with potential employers. This year, 13 students from the Central Michigan University Zeta Nu chapter attended the conference, winning multiple scholarships and competitions.

The 70th annual convention in Minneapolis hosted nearly 500 PSE students from across the nation. Brian Caine, a CMU senior and current vice president of professional development for the Zeta Nu chapter, was one of the student competitors. Caine said the competitions are a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

“The competition is significant because it provides students the opportunity to really practice what they’ve been learning in the classroom and apply it in front of professionals who may be recruiting them,” Caine said.

Overall, the team had an impressive week in the competitions and scholarship interviews, including:

• Arno Kliemenhagen Sustained Excellence Award – Recognizes a chapter that has attained gold status for at least five consecutive years. CMU's Zeta Nu chapter was recognized for reaching gold for nine consecutive years.
• First place in the Case Study Competition.
• First, second, and fifth place in the Pro-Am yearlong competition.
  • Six Pro-Am finalists – the most of any participating school.
  • Four Pro-Am finalists in the top-10.
• Top Faculty Advisor of the Year.
• Second, third, and fourth place in the Pro-Am National Competition.
• Top-5 runner-up in the Interview Competition.
• Sustained Excellence Chapter Award for nine years of gold status.
• Finalists for the Top Social Media Award and Top Recruitment Strategy Award.
• Second place for the Top PSE Salesperson.
• Whan Challenger Award Finalist.
• Three scholarships worth a total of $5,750.

Caine is proud of the team’s accomplishments at this year’s event, his last as a CMU student.

“I really fell in love with the organization and the opportunities that it offers for students and I wanted to be the person that helps others get there as well,” he said. “It's a way to give back to others who have given so much to me.”