Employer
Kohl's
Internship Title
Merchandise Analyst Intern
What were your duties?
Inventory management, data/sales analysis, allocation, retail strategy
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I enjoyed all of learning opportunities presented to me throughout the summer. From the Kohl's Executive Speaker Series, Lunch and Learns with mentors and managers to classes where we would learn different systems and retail strategy. There were also constant opportunities for more informal learning like collaborating with people on my team and in different meetings with vendors and cross-functional partners.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
The most difficult part of the internship was becoming oriented with the workday. The college schedule is very different than a full time working schedule. Once I got used to that - it was easy!
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
My experience at the University of Illinois and in the College of Media specifically helped me become a strategic and critical thinker. Strategic thinking was such an important part of this internship. Everyday I would come into the office and get a report of the how the business was for the previous day. This report was direct feedback on your strategy.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
This internship has shown me a totally new career path that I did not even know existed! I also was able to develop my data analytical skills, which is so important in today's current industry landscape.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
I would recommend getting involved on campus in a group that is professionally oriented. This type of group can give you mentorship opportunities, leadership opportunities and these can be used to leverage into experience for an internship.
