Examination of a paradigm for preparing undergraduates for a career in the retailing industries: mentors, curriculum, and an internship

College Student Journal, Dec, 2005 by Scarlett C. Wesley, Marianne C. Bickle

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SCARLETT C. WESLEY & MARIANNE C. BICKLE

University of South Carolina

Table 1: Examples of Participating Companies

Retail Management Specialization

*  Target
*  Wal-Mart
*  Best Buy
*  Walgreens
*  Petsmart
*  Morris Morgan Realty
*  Home Depot
*  State Farm Insurance
*  Carmax
*  The Display Center
*  Haverty's Furniture
*  Lowe's
*  Northwestern Mutual
*  Black Bear Golf Club
*  American Eagle Outfitters
*  Horton Homes
*  Publix Grocery Store

Fashion Merchandising Specialization

*  Macy's
*  Old Navy
*  Victoria's Secret
*  Bath and Body Works
*  Coach
*  Parisian
*  Arden B
*  Sears
*  Upscale Women's Boutiques
*  Donna Karan
*  Gucci
*  Ralph Lauren
*  Casella Jewelers
*  Abercrombie & Fitch
*  Hollister
*  Gap
*  Belk
*  Rich's Macy's

Responsibilities

Retail Management Specialization

*  Business to business sales
*  Business to consumer sales
*  Management

Fashion Merchandising Specializing

*  Buying and Distribution
*  Sales management
*  Visual merchandising
*  Store design
*  Assortment planning

Table 2: Frequency distribution of student intern's
performance of evaluation scores

Criteria                                  Poor-Below
                                           Average       Average

                                             1-2            3

Skills & Abilities                          %    N       %     N

Well prepared for position                 .00   0      .11    7
Possessed technical skills                 .00   0      .03    2
Possessed communication skills             .00   0      .11    7

Work Habits                                 %    N       %     N

Work independently                         .02   1      .05    3
Completed assignments                      .00   0      .06    4
Was responsible                            .02   1      .02    1
Was dependable                             .00   0      .02    1
Demonstrated creativity on                 .03   2      .03    2
assignments
Displayed a high level of productivity     .02   1      .08    5

Professionalism                             %    N       %     N

Possessed professional attitude            .02   1      .06    4
Adapted to change                          .02   1      .05    3
Was cooperative                            .00   0      .03    2
Was punctual                               .00   0      .00    0
Attended work regularly                    .00   0      .00    0
Courteous and friendly                     .00   0      .09    6

Career Potential                            %    N       %     N

Showed maturity                            .00   0      .06    4
Understood job description                 .00   0      .05    3
Considered entry level position            .02   1      .05    3

Criteria                                     Good-
                                           Excellent

                                              4-5

Skills & Abilities                          %     N

Well prepared for position                 .89    57
Possessed technical skills                 .97    62
Possessed communication skills             .89    57

Work Habits                                 %     N

Work independently                         .94    60
Completed assignments                      .94    60
Was responsible                            .96    62
Was dependable                             .98    63
Demonstrated creativity on                 .93    59
assignments
Displayed a high level of productivity     .91    58

Professionalism                             %     N

Possessed professional attitude            .92    59
Adapted to change                          .94    60
Was cooperative                            .97    62
Was punctual                              1.00    64
Attended work regularly                   1.00    64
Courteous and friendly                     .91    59

Career Potential                            %     N

Showed maturity                            .94    60
Understood job description                 .95    61
Considered entry level position            .94    60