Jessie's internship at Sam’s Club enabled her to start a full-time position immediately upon graduation. She also had significant career-building and scholarship opportunities through her involvement in the National Retail Federation Student Association (NRFSA).
Why did you choose LIM College?
When I was in high school, I loved fashion but didn’t have a creative bone in my body. I found out LIM was strictly about the business of fashion, and I knew I had to be there. The three required internships were also a big factor in making my decision.
What kinds of courses did you take?
The Fashion Merchandising Buying and Planning track was created while I was at LIM—it was perfect for me. I took advanced buying and planning classes and learned to use systems that I now see used at my workplace. I also loved e-commerce, so I took courses in digital business strategy.
What’s happening in your career now?
I work at Sam’s Club, which is under the Walmart umbrella, in Bentonville, Arkansas. My job title is Allocation Manager I. It’s sort of a cross between supply chain and merchandising. Every week I order determined amounts of every item in our category. One week, it may be a few thousand units, and other weeks—like Black Friday—I’ll need fifty thousand! I also analyze inventory performance and project receipts and serve as a liaison between my team, my buyers and planners, suppliers, and distribution centers.
How did your experience at LIM help prepare you for your career?
My required internships all really made me stand out and helped me land the next opportunity. My e-commerce internship was an important factor in landing a marketing internship, and my logistics experience helped me get my allocation and planning internship with Sam’s Club, where I now work.
My advanced buying and planning course required me to plan an entire season of product for a retailer, exactly like a planner does in real life. Being able to show my item plans and talk through it on interviews showed how prepared I was and allowed me to stand out among other candidates.
Tell us about being involved with the National Retail Federation Student Association (NRFSA).
I was co-president of the NRFSA for three years. Through the NRF, I was able to apply for several industry scholarships and twice I received significant scholarship awards. l also landed quite a few interviews at large retail companies.
What career accomplishments are you most proud of?
Going through my senior year of college knowing I had a job lined up after graduation has been my biggest accomplishment. (Not to mention it was incredibly relieving!) Working hard those first three years and during my internships really paid off. Speaking at the national NRF Student Program this January was also huge. I never would have thought I would be on that stage—but it happened less than a year after graduation!