Merchandising/Marketing/Retailing: Branding

Preparing University Students for Future Careers in the Retail Industry: The Retailer Realities Project

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Abstract

With currently high unemployment rates, the job market has become increasingly more competitive, leading to more aggressive efforts of recent college graduates to obtain entry-level career positions in merchandising and retailing. While many merchandising students work in retail settings while in college, some never look beyond their current job to explore other retail companies. As merchandising and retailing programs strive to meet the needs of students and employers, university faculty must teach students practical and professional skills through classroom and experiential learning activities while encouraging students to investigate companies that can provide future opportunities,. Consequently, the objective of this teaching strategy is to provide senior-level merchandising students with broader knowledge of varied types of retail companies as well as specific companies in order to be able to make better decisions about career choices when evaluating potential employers.

Keywords: retailing, visuals, Merchandising

How to Cite:

Magie, A. A. & Young, D. D., (2013) “Preparing University Students for Future Careers in the Retail Industry: The Retailer Realities Project”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 70(1).