CMU PSE students earn top placements at fall conference

Pi Sigma Epsilon students from Central Michigan University put their skills to the test this fall at the regional PSE conference at Kent State University. The chapter returned with multiple top finishes, strengthened confidence and valuable experience in real sales and marketing scenarios.

Preparing for high-pressure interviews

For junior Ashley McBride, the interview competition was an opportunity to challenge herself. After competing last year and feeling unprepared, she was determined to approach this year with focus.

“I wanted to challenge myself and get more comfortable in high-pressure interview settings,” she said. “This was an ideal opportunity for me to identify my strengths and weaknesses throughout the interview process as I am heading towards my final year and a half of college.”

How the competition unfolded

McBride began with a virtual interview with a representative from Pella. The PSE portal also provided an online course with tips, tricks and a job description to help competitors prepare. After the virtual round, she advanced to an onsite interview.

She faced a mix of behavioral questions, role-specific questions and unexpected prompts such as “How smart do you think you are” and “What type of person are you at a party.” “PSE and Pella were extremely kind during the process, and it made me excited to compete,” she said.

A standout moment in the interview

For McBride, a turning point came during the conversation. “I realized mid-interview that I was actually enjoying it,” she said. “The nerves began to settle as I connected with my interviewers and was sharing my past successes. That shift made me feel proud of how far my confidence has come.”

Being a finalist was a meaningful achievement. “It validated the work I have been putting into my professional development,” she said. “It was a reminder that I am capable of competing at a high level.”

McBride credits PSE with helping her grow through practice and feedback.

“PSE has given me so many opportunities with interviewing, sales roleplaying and receiving feedback,” she said. “Being surrounded by people who push me and believe in me also made a huge difference.”

Chapter goals for the conference

Chapter president Ethan Rauschert said the fall conference is where students apply what they have been practicing all semester.

“The overall goal is that each student walks into their competition room feeling prepared and confident, and that they walk out feeling confident about what they did and that they learned something because of the experience,” he said. Rauschert noted that the chapter is competitive and proud of its members who place in the final rounds.

Strong results across competition categories

CMU students earned several top finishes:

• Second place, Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon: Lauren Bonomo
• Fourth place, Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon: Katie Salo
• Interview finalists: Ashley McBride and Nicole Watts
• First place, Marketing Case: Lauren Bonomo and Mark-Allen Gay

Students also attended sessions led by Katlin Hall on improvisation in sales and Josh Taylor on effective chapter leadership and building a legacy.

What students gained from the experience

Rauschert said the conference represents experiential learning at its best. “They gain the most from the opportunity to network, to test their skills and to learn from each other,” he said. “Professionalism is taught and emphasized in the College of Business Administration, but here is the opportunity to put the skills to the test, practice and see how it works for you.”

Rauschert emphasized that PSE is about much more than pursuing a sales career. “Our core mission is teaching you how to sell and showing you how every career, regardless of business discipline, is a sales career,” he said. He pointed to active listening, identifying challenges and presenting solutions as universal workplace skills.

“The sales process is applicable anywhere,” he said. “Understanding how to effectively use it is important in interviews, internships and future roles.”

Looking ahead to the national competition

Next semester, the chapter will send a competition team to the national PSE conference in Norfolk, Virginia. Rauschert also noted that an incoming executive team will continue to prioritize sales education, engagement, networking and community.

Students interested in joining the chapter in the spring can contact the Director of Human Resources, Arei Yambrick, at yambr1@cmich.edu.