Assistant BuyerSuzanne has been promoted to Buyer. "I got to see everything that goes on in the day of an assistant buyer. I always knew that I wanted to go into retail - this experience just reinforced that this is what I want to do and where I want to go."
1. Why did you decide to pursue an internship with Bloomingdale's?
I met one of the recruiters and it sounded like interesting opportunity. Then I talked to previous interns, and they said that it was a great experience. That and the fact that Bloomingdale's has a good reputation and is known across the country for being the leading retailer is what convinced me to pursue an internship with Bloomingdale's.
2. What did you enjoy most about your internship and overall job responsibilities?
Overall, I pretty much just helped whoever needed me to help. Sometimes I would take on the role of assistant buyer if they needed purchase orders keyed in or product books made. I pretty much did a little bit of everything which was good because I got to see everything that goes on in the day of an assistant buyer. I always knew that I wanted to go into retail - this experience just reinforced that this is what I want to do and where I want to go. I never got bored with anything I did. It was always exciting.
3. What was your most memorable moment as an intern?
I don't know because there were so many! I can't even explain how much I learned. The most memorable experience was probably when my department gave me the freedom of doing my own work. No one questioned anything I did, and they said "we feel comfortable with you doing this work. Go ahead, do it."
4. What type of training did you receive during the internship and how did this benefit you?
I received so much training. I learned everything that assistant buyers do. They taught me to key in purchase orders, and the classes really showed what other responsibilities assistant buyers have. The training definitely benefited me. There were a few classes that taught us a little bit about the computer system, but mainly, it was the people that I worked with that taught me everything. They would take me on different appointments with them. In men's sportswear, they do their own product development, so I got to go and see how they select the colors and place the orders for those clothes.
5. How do you think the internship will help you with your career decisions? With beginning a career after graduation?
I think the internship helped me tremendously. Bloomingdale's helped reinforce what I want to do with my career. After I graduate, I would be happy to work at Bloomingdale's.
6. Is community involvement important to you, have you been involved in any projects in your division, and was this something you considered when selecting as internship?
I didn't have a chance to participate in any projects because there weren't any major ones going on at the specific time I was there. But some of the people I got to know, they would do a lot of things with inner city programs and less fortunate children, so they would fill me in on everything they had done and show me pictures. It looked like something I would like to do, but there was never an opportunity for me to participate.
7. What do you like best about your work environment?
Well, everyone I worked with was really nice. They were all very willing to show me how the whole system works. That's what I liked best - how helpful everyone was.
8. What advice would you give to a student considering participating in an internship program?
I would definitely tell them to work for Bloomingdale's. It was such a wonderful opportunity. And after doing the internship, I knew it was something I wanted to go into. I would also encourage them to work really, really hard because it does pay off in the end. Learn everything you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions because you are not going to learn things if you don't ask.
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