Internship Spotlight: Katelyn Sexton
Name: Katelyn Sexton
Major: Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
Expected Graduation Date: August 2017
Internship Location: Dillard’s at Fayette Mall in Lexington, Kentucky
Please describe your typical day as an intern:
As the intern, I work as an assistant to the manager. I shadow and assist the men's manager with tasks such as looking up daily sales goals for the department, checking for markdowns, putting away new stock when we get a truck, and taking care of both the sales associates and the customers.
How are you using and applying classroom knowledge in your internship?
I am applying classroom knowledge in my internship each day. Just as I have learned in my classes, I have seen the value in analyzing the month-to-date and year-to-date sales data each day. Also, I have applied what I have learned in class about product placement and further enhanced my ability to place certain merchandise in specific parts of the department to improve or target sales of products. One more way that I have applied my classroom knowledge in my internship is at the loading dock. Inventory and organization is key and knowing that has helped me maintain a smooth process from the dock to our stock room.
What is one key thing you have learned during your internship?
One key thing that I have learned in my internship is to break out of my shell. My college experience helped me to search and learn what I wanted to do in my career. Now, as an intern, I get to apply what I have learned in a real-world experience. This internship has empowered me to come out of my shell and have confidence in myself to build the career in merchandising that I desire. It has given me the chance to see that there are many opportunities in front of me. Without this internship, I wouldn't have the hands on experience that I had been waiting for, and I might even have a chance in moving up in the company even more than I have now.
If you could share one piece of advice for other students who are preparing to complete an internship, what would it be?
When preparing to complete an internship, I advise students to find a location where they know they will have true happiness. As long as you are happy and know what you want to be in life, then you have the power to be anything you want to be.
