Retail Day Demystifies Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry
John Molson School Business students recently learned about career opportunities in the retail sector during the Retail Day panel presentation and networking event. The occasion presented an opportunity for students and retailers to develop relationships and share employment-relevant information.
Organized by JMSB’s Career Management Services (CMS), the event is aimed at demystifying the multi-billion-dollar retail industry. Launched in 2012, the annual affair invites JMSB students from all disciplines to explore the world of retail and to discover the elements that propel the sector.
The event included the Le Château-sponsored "Dress for Success" workshop, which addressed the importance of image management and demonstrated how students can handle the transition from their school wardrobes to work-appropriate attire.
It was followed by a panel discussion featuring five companies from a variety of retail sectors. Speakers representing Target Canada, Blinds to Go, Aldo, Structube and Matt&Nat shared their thoughts on the changing face of retail, their personal career paths and future trends. Offering advice on how to thrive in the industry, the panellists underscored the importance of passion and attention to detail as critical attributes in retail.
The evening closed with a networking cocktail reception sponsored by Target Canada. Students had the opportunity to mingle with representatives of the participating companies as well as with additional corporate guests from Reitmans, Birks & Mayors, Limited Brands, Groupe Dynamite, Se Ce Apparel, Costco, David's Tea, Sephora and TJX Canada.
Target Canada's Campus Recruiter, Ade Akin-Aina was very pleased with the event. “Retail Day was a great opportunity for Target to connect with bright young minds interested in the wide array of career opportunities that are available in the retail industry,” she said. “We enjoyed sharing our stories and insight and were very impressed by the level of interest and commitment students, faculty and staff.”
“The event truly revealed how extensive the retail industry is,” says Mai-Gee Hum, director of CMS. “Various disciplines, finance, supply chain, operations, marketing, accounting and human resources play a critical role in ensuring a retailer's success in an extremely competitive field. Students left with a better appreciation of how the skills acquired in business school contribute to the overall acitivity of the industry.”
Several corporate participants in Retail Day were Concordia alumni, says Hum. “This is very much in line with the Choose Concordians initiative of Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations and reinforces CMS's efforts to connect job-seeking JMSB stakeholders with well-placed Concordia graduates.”