So this past weekend, I was helping out at the Dean's Reception and had the opportunity to talk to many future/potential students, and their parents, about the school and the Retail Major. There were many questions that both students and parents asked about both the school and major; so I thought that for this blog it would be fun and helpful to go over a few of the main questions asked.

"Because the retail major is located in St. Paul, would it be impractical for me to live in the dorms that are located on East or West bank?"
Nope, not at all, we have Campus Connectors (campus buses) that take from west bank to east bank to the St. Paul Campus in a fairly short amount of time. Also as a retail major you will be taking class on all three parts of campus; design and retail classes will be in St. Paul, Business classes will be on the west bank, and most likely you will have to take some Liberal Ed. Requirements on the east bank. You will be experiencing every part of campus regardless; which is awesome☺

"Why Retail Merchandising?"
This major is very practical; it's a great mix of design and business. We take a variety of classes that shape us make us well round for this field. We gain design, retail, and business experience, all which provide us with the knowledge to work in both a store and corporate setting with creative, analytical, and business skils.

"What opportunities do I have at this university?"
Many top business, Target, Best Buy, General Mills, to name a few, are stationed here in Minneapolis; they, along with other business come to career fairs to recruit and reach students for both internships and job opportunities. These businesss also come to some classes and speak; currently I am in a class in which Target has kicked off a visual merchandising display competition.

Got more question? Please ask away! :)

(http://algebra-i-core-40-eca-review.avon-hs.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/gwp/119846/949098/Image/question.JPG)

-Sasenka - Retail Merchandising

Friends. They are an essential part of life, and are of particular importance during your time spent in college. Considering that this, most likely, will be the first time that you will be the living on your own and away your family, it is important to make building a strong community one of your priorities. The friends you make will be your family away from home. They will be the ones that you turn to when you are feeling sad, homesick, or even happy. They will play a big role in your college life, so it's important to seek out some great ones!

I am so grateful to have found as great of a community of friends at school as I have. Having met many friends though my major, student groups, random classes, , and believe it or not even coffee shops, I have come to understand that there is no specific formula to developing friendships. As you can see I even met some great friends at a coffee shop, and it was all because we were talking about the same topic and were sitting just a table away from one another. Another thing to keep in mind will developing friendships, is to seek out diversity. Having a diverse group of friends is important; this can mean friends of different ethnicities, majors, cultures, or whatever. You want to grow while in school and expand your world view, so what better way than to dive in with some friends who see the world from a different perspective than you do.

(some of my friends and I earlier in the year)

Now on a little different note; there will be a Class of 2016 Dean's Reception held this Saturday, the 25th. You guys should definitely come check it out and learn more about the University of Minnesota, particularly the College of Design. I will be there too, so come and chat with me!

See you there!
Sasenka- Retail Merchandising

After my hectic week last week, it's nice to relax and spend some time with friends. And hanging out with friends is exactly what I did today. After classes wrapped up, my roommate and I hit up the Caribou next to my apartment for some quality roomie time and studying. As I'm sure you assumed, there was more 'roomie time' involved than actual studying, but we were productive nonetheless. What made studying at Caribou even greater, was that we got 'buy one get one free' drinks today; everything is better when it's cheaper, at least to us college students. After my study session, I met up with one of my closest friends and went to the Gopher basketball. We were playing Ohio State, and though we lost, I had a ton of fun! I haven't gone to many basketball games, but after tonight I am definitely considering buying season tickets for next year. Not only is the game itself fun, but so are the people. There is so much fun energy that comes from being surrounding by fellow students and friends; it's a perfect place to meet new people. However, if sporting events are not your cup of tea, do not fret, there are plenty of other events on or near campus where you can both meet new people and be entertained.
Some of these events are:
•Ballet and dance performances
•Theater and plays
•Concerts
•Fashion shows
•Art Musiums (WAM, which is on campus)
•And that's just a few!

(Me and my friends at a basketball game last year)

-Sasenka, Retail Merchandising B.S.

This week has been the craziest, most hectic week ever! And it's still not done! I keep telling myself, "just three days to go, just three days to go," but Saturday can't come fast enough. This week has really prompted me to keep up with my studies. It is so easy to put them off and tell yourself you won't fall behind; but let me assure you, in most cases you will. So today I thought I would give you some words of wisdom when it comes to your studies.

-This is a tip that a friend gave me: Make it a point to go over notes that same day you took them; this will help you retain the information better.

-Dedicate a few hours each day to your studies; a couple hours a day is way better than pulling a couple all-nighters.

-If you don't understand something, ask a friend, your professor, or a TA; assuming you that will "get it eventually" is definitely not the best way to go about it. Ask and learn it right away, that way you won't be scrambling and stressed out come test time.

-Accept that sometimes you will have crazy, busy weeks (like I am now) and that a social life may not exist in your near future. But hold tight, it's just waiting around the corner; use that as your motivation.

Well, I hope that you take these tips to heart and put them into use someday!

Until next time, my head shall be buried in my books...

Sasenka-Retail Merchandising

One of the great things that the College Of Design provides for its student is The Mentor Program in which they match students with a mentor that works in their field of interest. This program allows juniors and seniors to gain personal direction, knowledge, and understanding about the industry they will be working in before actually entering it.

The awesome thing about the 5-month program is that it has minimal structure; students and mentors get to choose what they will be covering and when they will meet up. Students typically meet with their mentors once or twice a month and go over the specific topics they decided upon; these topics vary and include anything from networking, building a portfolio, and whatever else the mentor and student find necessary.

My mentor is a business owner who gets to travel around the world and work in design management. I am actually meeting with my mentor today, Wednesday, February 1st. We are planning to get together at the Mall of America to grab lunch as well as to visit stores. We are going to go to stores, which are doing well, and store that are doing not so well. Observing their store layout and displays, she will be developing my visual merchandising skills by teaching me how to understand which tactics work and which don't. I am very excited to venture out and learn from someone inside the field.

Store windows will be just one of the things we will be observing
(photo credit: http://display-stand-info.blogspot.com/2011/10/massor-av-tydligt-anvnd-props.html)

Sasenka - Retail Merchandising

It is the second week of the semester and everyone is starting to settle into classes. We have survived the first week and are now ready to attack the new semester. So far I am really enjoying all of my class, I am particularly eager about Marketing (MKTG 3001), Visual Merchandising (RM 3243), and Dress, Society and Culture (RM 4212W). These classes are some of the required classes for the Retail Merchandising program, and not only do they seem like they will be interesting but very useful as well. I can't wait to see how these classes develop and all that I will be learning in them.

Another thing that makes these classes wonderful is community. Because the Retail Merchandising program is not an overwhelming large program, it is super easy to make friends within it. I can honestly say that I have had at least a few familiar faces in almost every one of my classes. Since my freshman year, I have not only become acquainted with most of the retail majors from my grade, I have also developed some really close friendships as well. One of my really good friends from the program and I even started a fashion blog together.
Developing a community is very important, whether they are in your major or not. However, having a group of friends that you are able to study, network, and relate with is very beneficial, both for your time in and out of school.

This is my friend joe who I have the fashion blog with, he is one of my closest friend within the major.

-Sasenka - Retail Merchandising

I have just recently decided that I need to start getting into better shape. So far all I have been doing is using the elliptical in my apartment and walking almost everywhere on campus. However, next week I am planning to start working-out at the University Recreation Center, which we on campus call The Rec. I am slightly embarrassed that I have only taken advantage of this place a few times, especially because it has so much to offers.

The Rec. has much exercise equipment available for use. A great variety of cardio equipment and strength training machines dominate the first two levels of the building, which is located on the Minneapolis campus. The basement holds a pool in which students and other members are freely allowed to use on a daily basis. Also, the top floor holds gyms for recreational sports and games. My favorite thing about the The Rec, however, are the fitness classes offered. Every semester a free weeklong trail of all the fitness classes is offered to students and members. Attending these classes typically costs about $5 for a daylong pass and $55 for the semester; is the only extra cost when using The Rec. However, during this specific week, which is called "Jam Week," all classes are free. This is so that we can check out which classes we like or don't like without having to pay for them. The classes offered range from dance to yoga to cycling. This year I'm going to try out as many classes as I can and find some great ones to stick with.

(Photo Credit: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-29946448/stock-vector-various-people-working-out.html)

Sasenka -Retail Merchandising

Winter break is coming to an end and though it has been wonderful to have 3 weeks off and rest, I can't wait to get back to school and start the new semester. This semester I am taking 20 credits, which is not something I would necessary recommend because it could end up being a tad overwhelming. But, since I my sudden decision and consideration to studying abroad next fall, I felt that it would be a good idea to have a little security in still being able to graduate on time by taking more credits then I would typically. The credit-load that is required for to be a full time student is 13 credits, however your advisor will most likely recommended that you take 15-16 credits; this is the perfect amount because it is both manageable and keeps you on track with graduating on time.

The classes that I am registered to take this semester are Dakota Culture and History, Horticulture, Marketing, Computer Literacy and Problem Solving, Visual Merchandising, and Dress Society and Culture. Though six classes may seem like a lot to handle, I must say that two of them are actually offered online, making it more manageable if use my time wisely. Taking online classes does have its benefits and opens up your schedule a bit, but it can also be harmful to your GPA if you procrastinate; that is why it is essential to stay on track and be organized.

-My schedule for the semester, not including Computer Literacy and Dress Society because those will be done online.

Until Next Time,
Sasenka - Retail Merchandising

The past two months I have been trying to decide where to I would like to live next year; I have been debating living in a house in Dinkytown or stay in my current apartment building, Dinnaken. I like both for different reasons. I like the house mostly for its location in Dinkytown and because most of my friends will be living near by. Dinnaken, however, has a great location also, basically on Campus, and for its location is very affordable. I am having such a hard time deciding, but I will admit I am leaning more towards the house!

Luckily for those you who will be incoming freshman next year, your housing decisions will be more easily determined, assuming you want to live in the dorms all you will have to do is choose your top dorm locations on your application.

Here are the some great things about each dorm location and so you guys have a better idea of which you like best.

Superblock dorms: Frontier, Pioneer, Centennial, and Territorial.
• Great location right on the east bank, you will be right in the middle of everything.
• Most freshman will be living in these dorms so it will be a very social environment
Comstock:
• Right near Coffman our student union, which is practically the middle of campus, making it super easy to get around and get to every other location.
Sanford:
• Located right next to Dinkytown, meaning you are near some great restaurants and coffee shops. And because many people hang out in Dinkytown, something is always happening.
• It is currently directly on the Campus Connector bus rout, making it super easy to travel around campus and to classes.
Middlebrook:
• On the West Bank, which is great because as a Retail Major, you will be taking many business classes and the building that you will be taking them in is practically a block away from this dorm.
Bailey:
• On the St. Paul Campus, which is also awesome because we, Retail Major's, have many classes in St. Paul as well.
• Bailey also has my favorite dining center of all the dorm halls.

Hope this gives you all little bit of knowledge about what each dorm has to offer!

(me in my dorm room my freshman year)

Until next time!
Sasenka - Retail Merchandising

One of the greatest classes I have ever taken at the University of Minnesota was a Freshman Seminar on printing. I took this class my first semester of college and it was one of the best class choices I've ever made. Freshman Seminars are specifically designed for first-year students. This is awesome because, it give you an opportunity to interact with other students and faculty in a smaller classroom setting, making it super easy to connect with people. I actually met one of my best friends in my freshman seminar; and had I not taken the class we might have never met otherwise.

Not only did this class help me meet people, it also taught me many interesting things; some of which were, how to use a printing press and how to screen print. It was very intriguing to learn about the history of the printing press as well as how to operate one. There was a lot more to it than I expected, but it was fun. Learning how to screen-print was my favorite out of the two, partly because we got to make t-shirts of our own design. It was fascinating to see how graphic t-shirts were made and also have the ability to make one yourself! Taking a Freshman Seminar was a great experience for me and I highly recommend taking one. There is so much that is gained: knowledge, skills, relationships with factually members, and new friendships. You can only benefit!

(The t-shirts I made)
Sasenka Curic- Retail Merchandising

Tonight, one of my best friends came back from studying abroad in London; and I got to hear about all of her wonderful experiences. While in London, she interned at a fashion agency that did brand management for a high-end designers. One of those designers was an up and coming high-end designer named Ronen Chen. Through her internship, she able to attend many events, some of which were London Fashion Week and an invite only Alexander McQueen sample sale. She states that both of those experiences were some to the best she's ever had.

(My friend Jana in London!)

I have also been thinking of studying abroad in London, and hearing my friend's stories only confirmed my desire to go. I only decided that I wanted to study abroad earlier this year; my plan is to go the fall of 2012. When I made this decision, I was uncertain if it going work out because a lot needed to be figured out. I immediately scheduled a meeting with my advisor, this turned out to be very beneficial. While speaking with her, I discovered that studying abroad was a definite possibility. I have been on track with my major and classes so even though I was fairly late in making this decision, it would not set my graduation date, spring 2013, back at all; especially, if I maintained a certain level of course work, 17 credits per semester. We wrote out all of the classes that were required for me to graduate and set up what classes were to be taken each semester. We even figured out the classes that I would need to take while in London. Speaking with my advisor was very helpful and made my dream of studying abroad next fall even more real!

Hope this got you thinking!
Sasenka Curic- Retail Merchandising

Most classes have final exams, but there are some have final projects instead. The past two weeks I have been working on a couple of final projects: a photo-shoot editorial for my Fashion Trends class (ADES 3217) and a brand development project for my Retail Promotions class (RM 4216). Both projects were very time consuming but they were also a lot of fun. I definitely prefer projects to tests.

For the photo project, my group and I were to develop a fashion spread; we had to find models, strategically plan outfits, and create a theme and storyline for the shoot. Wanting to venture away from the norm of female models, my group decided to create an all male fashion spread; we enlisted our closest guy friends to be our models. The theme for the shoot was "Work and Play"; we dressed our models in business and business casual attire, while photographing them in various locations around Minneapolis. We wanted to create the idea that these men were skipping work to have some fun around town.
Here is one picture from our fashion spread.

The other project was more of a research project; we were to develop a brand and determine successful ways to marketing it to our "target consumer". Through, the assignment was mostly writing based; it also had some fun and creative elements to it. Being required to create an actual, physical ad, my group decided to create a billboard advertisement; and here it is below.

Have a great week!
Sasenka Curic - Retail Merchandising

We have finally been getting some snow here on campus, as of last Thursday. Don't get me wrong; winter is definitely not my favorite season, but I do enjoy a good snowfall. Snow is one of the things that helps me bare the cold; it's so beautiful and almost makes campus seem magical. The weather this year has been mild, I've only had to wear a fall coat up until recently. Even though it can get pretty chilly sometimes, I love walking on campus during wintertime. But for those of you who don't enjoy cold, weather walking, I have some good news. The campus connector bus stops are short walk away from nearly every building. Some stops even have heat lamps to keep you warm and toasty.

But whether you enjoy the cold or not, it's understood that you will definitely need the right gear to keep you warm; so here are some of my go-to winter tips and tricks:

Hand Warmers: These are awesome! You can stick them in your gloves and they warm your hands right up!

Tights: This one is mostly for the girls, but in the winter I always wear a pair of tights under my jeans. The extra layer provides some insulation, which is really nice.

Long Coats: I never knew how much of a difference a long coat makes, until I got one. It keeps your upper legs covered from the cold!

And Of Course Your Basics: hats, scarves, gloves, and boots

Stay Warm!
Sasenka Curic - Retail Merchandising

Getting back into school mode after a break can be very difficult, especially when you have to dive right in. Finals are soon approaching, in about three weeks, and I have so many things to accomplish in those three weeks, it's crazy! I have two research papers due, a magazine editorial project, and not to mention study for finals! I am particularly stressed about my Business Stats final, it's the one class that I have not invested the greatest amount of time in, and it is definitely making me nervous. However, I am feeling super motivated to start studying for my finals now; I will not let procrastination get the best of me!

Getting motivated might be easy but keeping it can be difficult, so here are a few fun ways you can prolong your motivation:

1: Get enough sleep!
I cannot tell you how many times I have lost motivation because of how tired I am! Coffee only solves the problem short term and naps sometimes make you even more tired. My suggestion is to go to bed on time and stop wasting time on facebook!

(photo credit: sodahead.com -zzz.gif)

2: Exercise!
If you are feeling tired or worn out from studying, go workout! It will get your endorphins pumping and prepare you for a long night of studying!

(photo credit: http://howtogrowtaller101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/grow-taller-Exercises.jpg)

3: Have someone hold you accountable!
Grab a friend and hold each other accountable in your studies. There is nothing worse than being called out on your procrastination, so hopefully that will motivate and keep you on track with studying!

(photo credit: http://coloring.thecolor.com/color/images/Studying-Together.gif)

That's all for today! Have a great week!
Sasenka Curic- Retail Merchandising

It's the week of Thanksgiving and everyone on Campus is ready for a little break. I am looking forward to catching up with friends and family, as well as catching up on some schoolwork. Finals are just around the corner, in about three weeks or so, and I need to start studying, the earlier the better! Classes are officially cancelled Thursday and Friday of this week, but many professors also cancel them on Wednesday; they understand that some students live farther away and need that extra day to get home. So many either cancel the class or make it optional. I have two optional classes this Wednesday, November 23, and I am definitely going to attend one of them. Many of you are probably wondering why anyone would go to an optional class; the reason is extra credit. It's always nice to have a little cushion in your grade, so I recommend taking every extra credit opportunity available to you.

After I go to my "extra credit" Business Stats class, I will head home to North Dakota. It's about a five-hour drive from Minneapolis; it's the perfect distance away, not too close yet not too far. I typically don't drive when I go visit home; I usually take the Amtrak train. I really enjoy taking the train because it's very spacious and because the route to North Dakota takes place during the nighttime, which means I get to sleep through the travel time, and before I know it, I'm home!

(photo credit: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LvPwIC2dBvQ/TMgyIYrrsaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/G2fRowftab0/s1600/news-AmtrakTrain.jpg)

Have a great Thanksgiving!
Sasenka Curic: Retail Merchandising

I love to eat and because the University of Minnesota is so large, it offers a great selection in dining. Restaurants are EVERYWHERE and all within walking distance. This is a list of some of my favorites!

Village Wok
This is an authentic Chinese restaurant with a great assortment of food to choose from. My personal favorite items from the menu are the wontons and sweet and sour chicken!

Loring Pasta Bar
This is a beautiful Italian restaurant that offers more than just great food. Its very romantic atmosphere is complimented by some wonderful live music; it's a great place to go on a date! Also on Friday and Saturday nights, this restaurant transforms its dining area into a salsa dance floor!

Chilly Billy's
This frozen yogurt shop just opened half a year ago; and its already become a staple among students here on campus. It offers a great selection of yogurts as well as toppings. The awesome thing about Chilly Billy's is that you pay by the ounce, so you can get however much you want!

The Purple Onion
This café has great coffee and food; anything from a white chocolate mocha to a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. It's also a great place to place to hang out and get some studying done.

Annie's Parlour
This is a signature restaurant for UofM students and it's known for their malts and burgers. They have so many malt flavors that it's sometimes hard to pick just one; but that's the wonderful thing about Annie's you can combine flavors! My favorite is 'hot-fudge banana'.

The list above is only a handful of my favorite restaurants. If you would like to find out what other food options you have on or near campus, check out these links:
Dinkytownminneapolis.com
Gophermenus.com
University Dining Services

Until Next Time,
Sasenka Curic- Retail Merchandising

Today was a busy day, mostly because I have been working on this "Campus Fashion Weekly" project all day! It's supposed to be a magazine/newspaper mock-up with fashion tips, informational articles, and even "letter's to the editor". This was a group project assignment for my Fashion: Trends and Communication class (ADES 3217); each member was required to write about two articles so that we could produce a two-page, six column newspaper. We had to format these articles and add pictures as well. We were given the option of using Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint for the assignment, but my group decided to use 'InDesign'. A few of the member in my group, myself included, have had experience using the Adobe Suites from previous classes. We determined that it would be the best and smartest tool to use because it provides us with a greatest range of creativity and freedom.

This is a rough example of our project layout:

The Adobe Suites are really fun and very useful. However, they are not required for any of the Retail Merchandising classes I have taken thus far, even the one where I learned how to use them. But, if you ever need or want access to these programs, there are computer labs all over campus that will provide you with the option. Nevertheless, if you decide that you do want to purchase the Adobe Suites, you will be able to do so through the Office of Information Technology for a wonderfully discounted price.

Have a great day!
Sasenka Curic - Retail Merchandising

Currently, I am enrolled in seventeen credits; I have four lecture classes and one online class. It can be rough sometimes I won't lie, but it's all about how you manage your time. Having an online class is nice because it allows me to have a more open schedule; I only have class Monday through Thursday and also have quite long breaks between my classes. However, with an online class you have to make sure that you are staying on track because it is super easy fall behind.

Today friends, I'm going to walk you through a typical Monday and show you all what a normal day in my shoes looks like. My first class of the day, Business Statistics (OMS 2550), starts at 10:10; this is nice because it gives me a little time to sleep in, and I do love to sleep! The class typically lasts till 11:50, but sometimes we are let out early. After business stats, I have a fairly long break till my next class, about 4 hours. I usually use this time to study, work on my online class, exercise, and sometimes, even nap. When 4 o'clock rolls around, I start getting ready to head out to St. Paul for my Fashion: Trends and Communication class (ADES 3217); this class starts at 4:30 and goes until 5:45. After the class is done, I usually hop on the campus connector bus and head to my favorite coffee shop on campus, Espresso Expose. This coffee shop is open till midnight, which is very convenient because it gives me an opportunity to meet and catch up with friends as well as get some extra studying done; it's the perfect way to end a day!

Until Next Time!
-Sashka

Studying at Espresso Expose

Being a Retail major means that I am everywhere on the UofM campus. I have classes on East Bank, West Bank, and of course on the St. Paul campus as well. The classes that I typically have on East Bank are classes such as science and math, mostly Lib. Eds. (Liberal Education Requirements). I spend the least amount of time on East Bank, because most of my major classes are either on West Bank, for business, or St. Paul, for design.

Being able to transition campus to campus is really simple and more convenient than you would think. The Campus Connector busses really make it easy for us! There is even a special route that the connectors take to St. Paul; it's a road that only they can travel on. So it's a pretty speedy trip, about 20-30 minutes from St. Paul to West bank. The buses stop quite frequently too, essentially about every two blocks or so. This is very convenient because they bring you to locations that are all within walking distance of mostly every class buildings. The time spent on the bus can also be of use. I personally enjoy it most on test days; it gives me a little review time between classes. And on non-test days for listening to music, catching up with classmates, or even making new friends!

Have a great day friends!
-Sashka

(photo credit: http://busride.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/uofM.jpg)
Campus Connector bus

Hello Friends!

Today I'm going to be telling you about my favorite class of the semester! It's called Fashion: Trends and Communication (ADES 3217); I know what most of you are probably thinking, "That's actually a class?" Yes! It is, and it is awesome! It's a lecture type class, like most of my classes this semester, and it focuses on fashion forecasting and how fashion communicates through designers, media, and people. This class is very interactive; instead of having tests and exams we have writing assignments and class projects. I particularly enjoy the projects because I love hands on learning and exercising my creativity.

Our first project for the class just wrapped up. For the project we were assigned a specific market segment within retail, my group's was wedding gowns. Determining and explaining current trends within the bridal market was part of the assignment; however, we also had to predict the fashion trends to come. Doing the work for this project was very enjoyable, so mush so that I wouldn't even call it work. I got to visit wedding boutiques and examine dress to see what styles and trends brides were currently wearing. I also got to do some online and magazine research to determine the up-and coming trends for 2012. This project was such a blast and I'm very excited to start the 2nd!

This class is just one of many interesting classes that is required for the Retail Merchandising major. So I hope that this gave you all an understanding that not all classes are straight from the textbook and that there some very fun and entertaining classes thrown into the mix!

Have a fantastic week!
-Sashka

This is one of the slides I used in my powerpoint for the market segment project

Hello friends!

Last week I had my two interviews with Kohl's and I am pleased to say that they went really well! I felt both composed and quick on my feet; and I have to thank Career and Internship Services for that. The day before my actual interviews, I went into Career Services for a mock interview. There, I met with a career service advisor who helped refine my interviewing skills. I was put in a similar situational environment and was taped during the process. It was a little nerve-wracking I'll admit, but very necessary; it allowed me to experience the nerves I would feel during the actual meeting with Kohl's. After the faux interview, I conversed with the advisor about my strengths and weaknesses. I was given some wonderful tips on how to improve and be better prepared in answering questions. One tip that I found helpful was to research the company, to look up articles, and explore all that the company has to offer. Having this knowledge is very beneficial, especially during interviews, it showcases your interest in the company and that you are serious about the position at hand. I experienced the usefulness of this tip the following day. One of the first questions both interviewers asked was why I wanted to work for Kohl's? Why I preferred their company over other retailers? I knew exactly how to answer this question, all thanks to the preparation done at career services. I am just so thankful for this resource and all that it offers!

Have a great week!
-Sashka

"For interviews always dress for success."

Hello Friends!
So, two weeks ago I attended the St. Paul Job and Internship Fair in hopes of finding a potential internship. An internship is required for all Retail Merchandising majors in order to graduate; I think that it is a fantastic requirement because it requires us to gain work experience in our particular field of study. And internships can also lead to job offers within the company! Meaning that we could have a job waiting for us before we even graduate! How awesome!

Printing out my resume and picking out my 'professional' outfit, I was prepared for the event that took place Wednesday, September 21st. I was nervous; there were going to be many big name companies to talk to. I've heard these companies talk in my classes before but speaking with them one on one was going to be intimidating, I thought. As I walked into the room where the event was taking place, I gathered my thoughts and proceeded to approach the recruiters for the company Kohl's. I introduced myself and expressed intrigue in the internship positions available. They told me about their internships, a store management internship that takes place here in Minneapolis over a 10-week period in the summer and a merchandising analyst internship that is in Milwaukee over a 10-week period in the summer also. They informed me that when placed in either position you are treated as a part of a team, nothing less, and that if you successfully complete the internship full-time job opportunities are available! I told them that I was very interested in both the internship programs and handed them my resume. They then told me that they were holding interviews on campus sometime in the near future and that I should apply online; I told them I would and then thanked them for their time. I was very happy with the conversation I had with the Kohl's recruiters because Kohl's was the company that I was most excited to talk to. I spoke with the other great companies like Express, Gordman's, and Target; those conversations went well also! However, I was still most intrigued by Kohl's. So the following day I applied for both positions online and I now have two interviews with them on October 6th! Wish me luck and I will update you all next week!

Have a great day!
Sashka

Some of the information packets I received from different companies at the Job and Internship Fair.

Hi friends! I am going to tell you all a little bit about myself. To start it off, my name is Sasenka, but I typically go by Sashka. I am currently a junior and majoring in Retail Merchandising. I was originally born in Bosnia but moved to the United States at the age of six. I then lived in North Dakota until I started college here at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
I have very strong interests in both fashion and business, which is why I chose to study Retail Merchandising. My desire and love for fashion began when I was nine; the day I first flipped through a catalogue. Wanting to improve the outfits, I started to draw and create my very own looks. My curiosity for business came in high school, when I got involved in DECA. I was very intrigued and soon realized that I wanted my future to include the fascinating world of business. From there, my aspirations grew; I decided that I wanted to be either a buyer or a clothing storeowner. Those dreams, however, quickly changed. A new dream, one that uses fashion to benefit the greater good, came into my heart. Presently, I have hopes in starting a non-profit organization, something similar to TOMS shoes, to help those less fortunate.
Besides fashion and business, my other hobbies include dance and photography. I have been dancing my whole life and simply love it! I never miss an opportunity to break out in dance. It is such a wonderful form of self-expression. My fascination with photography developed my senior year of high school. I decided that instead of getting my senior pictures professionally done, I would just take them myself; and I did! I purchased a "legit" camera and started snapping away. Enjoying it much more than anticipated, I continued to practice and play around. I now contribute and take photos for a fashion blog, which I started with a friend. It's super fun and a great way to keep up with fashion and current trends.
Well friends, you now know what makes me, me. To put it simply, I am just a girl who wants to use her passions to help those who need it most.

Take care, and have a great day!
Sashka