Retail Leadership Symposium

Purpose of the class:

To promote the vast array of retail careers available to students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
To encourage students to seek retail careers as their primary choice following graduation.
To provide students with information and contacts to enable them to make informed decisions regarding retail careers.
To provide member retail companies an opportunity to tell their story to the students interested in learning about the various retailers and what they offer.
To provide leaders of member retail companies the opportunity to provide insight into their personal careers. And insight into what it takes to be successful in their respective companies.
To provide a safe environment for students to ask the “tough” questions about the companies, the industry, and specific careers.

Who will sign up for the class?

The class is open to freshmen through seniors and all majors from retail to business, to economics and design.
The class is promoted by student advisors as a great career and major exploration opportunity.
Students interested in learning about the exciting retail industry will sign up.

Who will present at the class:

Leaders from retail companies involved with the Center for Retailing Excellence.

Benefit to presenting companies:

Access to a captive, well-prepared audience of students eager to learn about the industry, internships and career opportunities within it. Enrollment in the Spring 2007 symposium was 70 students, and enrollment in the Fall 2007 symposium is projected to be double that.
Two hour time frame allows for more detail and mutually beneficial discussion among students and presenters than what a typical recruiting activity might allow.
A chance for individual presenters to share their personal stories with the next generation of leaders in the industry.
If the company agrees, the presentation will be videotaped and archived so that students not in the class but interested in the company can use it as a resource.