Lindner students network, absorb evolving retail industry in New York City
National Retail Federation Foundation’s program attracts a range of business majors
Last month, 13 students from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business attended the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation’s Student Program in New York City to learn about the retail industry, meet recruiters, and hear from retail executives in marketing, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, merchandising, technology, talent and diversity and inclusion over the course of four days.
The NRF Foundation’s Student Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as educators and staff, from U.S. colleges and universities. Most of the Lindner students attended free of charge thanks to the NRF Foundation’s Ray Greenly Scholarship Fund, which covers program costs for participants in technology and supply chain-oriented areas of study. The 2023 event consisted of two days of conference programming; visits to companies like Amazon, Nordstrom, Target and more; and a chance for Greenly Scholarship recipients to interact with executives during private breakout sessions.
I made several professional connections that may spark job or mentorship opportunities! Just learning and listening to the experiences of the attendees was so valuable.
Ben Smith, BBA ’24
The Lindner students in attendance represented majors in marketing, business analytics, information systems, industrial management and operations management. Shreeya Julakanti, BBA ’25, recalled an exchange with an executive from AT&T that showcased the retail industry’s wide reach.
“My initial question was, ‘What is AT&T doing at a fashion conference?’ And it's so interesting because he was talking about this intersectionality between technology, fashion and shows. His job was to provide technology for all of the fashion shows that happen in Europe,” said Julakanti, majoring in finance and operations management and pursuing a fashion studies minor. “I knew that fashion wasn't siloed, but hearing him talk about it was really interesting to learn about the more niche aspects of this industry.
“There are more opportunities than I first perceived, and I feel like there's more aspects and more avenues that I can go down with the majors that I have.”
Lindner Career Services Assistant Director Kate Huestis (second from left) with Lindner marketing students. Photo courtesy of Keith Sun.
The employment possibilities available post-graduation were the central takeaway for Courtney Street, BBA ’24, a marketing and operations management double major.
“When most people hear of supply chain, they don't automatically think of retail,” Street said. “I love that this conference showed me I can be in a supply chain-related role, while still in an industry I love!”
Courtney Street, BBA ’24
Keith Sun, director of experiential learning for Lindner Career Services, joined Lindner’s future business problem solvers in New York City — along with Kate Huestis, assistant director, Lindner Career Services — to gain a better perspective on the retail industry and its career possibilities.
“I was able to have direct conversations with different professionals in retail, other educators similarly supporting students, and recruiters hoping to hire students into early career opportunities,” Sun said.
Ben Smith, BBA ’24, ventured to New York City to explore opportunities in retail operations. A double major in accounting and operations management, Smith attended seminars in operations, merchandising, design and more, and learned from previous NRF attendees and retail executives who discussed the current and future retail market and covered topics on diversity, career acceleration and sustainability.
Ben Smith, BBA ’24
“I met hundreds of other students from across the country and globe. The networking opportunities at this event — including executive roundtables and exclusive career fair access — were unbeatable,” said Smith, who is also working on a certificate in business analytics. “I made several professional connections that may spark job or mentorship opportunities! Just learning and listening to the experiences of the attendees was so valuable.”
Julakanti encouraged students to attend the NRF Foundation’s Student Program next year and reiterated that there are more opportunities in the fashion industry than “what they’re showing you on a screen.”
“You don't need to be in a specific major. You don't need to be a design major and you don't need to be a marketing major to enter this industry,” Julakanti said. “You need to be able to find the right people to talk to you about the opportunities, and I think NRF provided that.”
Featured image: Lindner Career Services Director of Experiential Learning Keith Sun (third from left) with Lindner’s Ray Greenly Scholarship students. Photo courtesy of Keith Sun.
Linking Top, Diverse Talent with Top Employers
Together with faculty, staff, industry professionals and UC alumni, Lindner Career Services enhances the professional acumen of Lindner students and fosters mutually beneficial relationships with employers. Get to know Career Services by connecting with a career coach or exploring the many resources available for students and employers.
Related Stories
Financial factors to consider when moving
June 27, 2024
Moving can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. When it comes time to move, there are important financial implications to consider, Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, told USA Today.
33rd annual UC Real Estate Center Dinner celebrates vibrant Cincinnati real estate community
June 27, 2024
Nearly 600 real estate professionals, students, alumni and supporters packed Cincinnati Music Hall on June 12 for the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center’s 33rd annual Real Estate Dinner. Attendees showed out to celebrate Lindner’s real estate students and the night’s top honoree Gregg Fusaro, partner, CIG Communities, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
UC grad’s innovative tech to manage ER wait times
June 25, 2024
When launching Teravus, a health care triage management startup, Jason Murray turned to the University of Cincinnati's Center for Entrepreneurship and the 1819 Venture Lab for guidance and funding.
Carnegie Foundation recognizes UC with Leadership for Public Purpose classification
June 24, 2024
UC part of inaugural group honored for focusing on developing students as leaders
UC grad’s innovative design creates van life 2.0
June 20, 2024
Recktenwald combined his passion for adventure with a desire for versatility to birth Freedom Fans, a startup venture that mixes a camper van’s roof vent with a skylight.
NEXT Innovation Scholars shape UC grad’s global aspirations
June 7, 2024
After hailing from the African country of Ghana and later growing up in the Columbus, suburbs, Lance Entsuah ultimately landed in the bustling halls of the University of Cincinnati. Since then, he's charted an extraordinary path marked by academic excellence and ambitious innovation — an achievement he attributes significantly to his involvement in the university’s NEXT Innovation Scholars program.
NEXT Innovation Scholar chosen for Fulbright UK Summer Institute
May 30, 2024
Max Kemats, a rising third-year economics major with a minor in public health and a certificate in innovation and design thinking, has been selected for the Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute in Scotland.
The benefits and downsides for 'forever renters'
May 29, 2024
A growing number of people expect to rent their entire lives instead of buying a home, which presents potential benefits and downsides for these “forever renters,” University of Cincinnati professors told Business Insider.
Built-to-rent home inventory increases in Cincinnati region
May 22, 2024
Options are increasing for people who want the benefits of living in a house without the need for a mortgage as the number of built-to-rent homes is increasing in the Cincinnati region, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, thinks concerns about the developments are misplaced.
Seminar sessions offer career prep for MS-IS students
May 20, 2024
The recent fall and spring semesters offered students enrolled in Lindner's Master of Science in information systems (MS-IS) program the opportunity to connect their academic learnings with the realities of the business world.