Erin Richter

Responsibilities

One of my responsibilities include preparing new products to be launched onto the website via Salesforce. I will do this by reaching out to vendors in regard to high-resolution images, copy or passing products off to the photo studio, and creating a compelling copy based on images and features. I also assisted with cutting POs for new product orders or reorders via Aptos. I analyze projections to identify order amounts for specific months by UPC and when we need the products in our DC. After compiling the information, I complete an official PO and send it out to vendors for confirmation. Moreover, I pull MSL files of all units in our DC and in stores via MicroStrategy. I then decide what products need to be pulled from our visual directives, those are usually low on stock and not being reordered. I am also working on a semester-long Internship Project. It consists of identifying four occasions for celebration that can be incorporated into our assortment and appeal. This will allow us to not only our target market, but also capture Gen Z. I fulfill this by identifying a concept, finding products in our current assortment to support, introduce new products, and reach out to vendors to establish costing, MSRP, and MOQ. I also create concepts for potential visual merchandising as well as marketing ideas.

Accomplishments

I would say my biggest accomplishment is the breadth of new knowledge I have been able to learn and utilize quickly and effectively. It is not uncommon to use different software from company to company. So, going into this internship I did not know anything about Salesforce, Aptos, or MicroStrategy. However, I am very proud of being presented with this new information and being able to not only operate but be able to problem solve within the software if I am uncertain about a specific function.

Learning experience

I would say the greatest lesson I have learned is that when you find your passion everything will click. I have loved the experience of my courses within my major at Iowa State and I believe that they prepared me well for my internship. However, getting real-world experience and being able to shadow those in a Merchandising position, really solidified that this is something I enjoy doing. That being said, I think it just drives me to be more curious and push myself even more within this role because it is something that I do enjoy.

What advice would you give?

I think it is important to know that, whatever internship you accept, you will be able to pull essential lessons to be carried with you throughout your career post-graduation. I also encourage you to use your time in your internship to really grow and learn beyond the tasks assigned to you. It is so important to not only network but also uses these connections to gain insight into your industry and how to be successful in it.