A Day In Life of a Sales Development Representative
If you enjoy building relationships, connecting with people, and helping others discover solutions, a career as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) could be your gateway into EdTech.
As an SDR, you'll be the first point of contact for prospective school and district leaders. Your role is to start meaningful conversations, understand their needs, and connect them with the right solutions. While you're not responsible for closing deals, you play a critical role in helping schools discover products and services that can positively impact teaching and learning.
For many educators, becoming an SDR is an excellent way to break into EdTech while developing valuable sales and business skills.
Career Snapshot
💰 Average Salary: $60,000–$100,000+ (base salary plus commission)
🧩 Ideal Personality: Communicator & Self-Starter
✈️ Travel Expectations: Minimal (primarily remote with occasional team meetings)
📈 Career Growth: Account Executive or Education Account Manager → Regional Sales Manager → Sales Leadership
What Does a Sales Development Representative Do?
Sales Development Representatives focus on identifying and engaging prospective customers. Rather than selling directly, they create opportunities for the sales team by scheduling meetings and building relationships with district leaders.
Typical responsibilities include:
Researching schools and districts
Reaching out to prospective customers through email, phone, and LinkedIn
Learning about district goals and challenges
Qualifying leads
Scheduling meetings for Account Managers
Keeping customer information organized in a CRM
Collaborating with Marketing and Sales teams
Following up with prospective customers
Every conversation is an opportunity to learn about a district's needs and help connect them with solutions that can make a meaningful impact.
A Typical Day
☕ 8:00 AM | Plan Your Outreach
Start your day by reviewing your pipeline, checking emails, and identifying the districts or educators you'll contact.
You may research recent district initiatives, funding opportunities, or strategic priorities to personalize your outreach.
📞 9:00 AM | Connect with Prospective Customers
Reach out through phone calls, emails, or LinkedIn to introduce your company's solutions.
Your goal isn't to sell—it's to start conversations and determine whether your solution could help address a district's needs.
🤝 11:00 AM | Team Collaboration
Meet with Account Managers and Marketing teammates to discuss upcoming campaigns, share insights from conversations, and identify new opportunities.
Collaboration is a big part of success in this role.
🍽 Noon | Lunch & Learning
Many SDRs spend part of their afternoon learning about new products, industry trends, or sales strategies.
Continuous learning is encouraged, especially as you grow toward future sales roles.
💻 1:00 PM | Follow-Up Conversations
Respond to emails, reconnect with prospects who expressed interest, and schedule meetings between district leaders and Account Managers.
Persistence and thoughtful follow-up are key.
📈 3:00 PM | Pipeline Management
Update your CRM with notes from conversations, track outreach activities, and prioritize next steps.
Organization ensures no opportunities fall through the cracks.
📅 4:30 PM | Prepare for Tomorrow
Review your goals, identify new prospects, and plan tomorrow's outreach.
Success as an SDR comes from consistency and building genuine relationships over time.
Why Educators Thrive in This Role
Educators already possess many of the skills that make exceptional Sales Development Representatives.
Former teachers naturally know how to:
Build relationships quickly
Ask thoughtful questions
Communicate clearly
Listen with empathy
Adapt conversations to different audiences
Stay organized
Handle challenges with resilience
These transferable skills help educators build trust with prospective customers and create meaningful conversations.
What You'll Love
✅ Building new relationships every day
✅ Helping schools discover valuable solutions
✅ Developing professional sales skills
✅ Clear opportunities for career growth
✅ Working remotely with flexibility
✅ Collaborating with a supportive team
Potential Challenges
Hearing "no" is part of the job.
Meeting outreach and activity goals requires consistency.
Staying motivated during slower periods.
Learning new sales tools and processes.
For educators who enjoy connecting with people and are motivated by personal growth, these challenges often become opportunities to develop new skills and confidence.
Is This Career Right for You?
You may enjoy becoming a Sales Development Representative if you:
✔ Enjoy meeting new people
✔ Are curious and ask thoughtful questions
✔ Like setting and achieving goals
✔ Communicate confidently
✔ Want a strong entry point into EdTech
✔ Are interested in future sales or customer success careers
Continue Exploring
Interested in similar careers?
📖 Day in the Life of an Implementation Specialist
📖 Day in the Life of a Professional Learning Consultant
📖 Day in the Life of an Education Account Manager
📖 Day in the Life of a Customer Success Manager
Ready to Explore Your Next Career?
If you're wondering whether a Sales Development Representative role is the right fit, let's talk.
In a complimentary Career Strategy Call, we'll discuss your experience, identify careers that align with your strengths, and create a personalized roadmap for your transition into EdTech.
👉 Book Your Free Career Strategy Call
