Visit the Center for Retailing Studies at crstamu.org

When one of the world’s most famous department stores needs new buyers, it looks first in its own backyard:  Dallas-based Neiman Marcus has hired ten marketing students from Mays in just the last four years.

“Neiman Marcus has a long, rich history of hiring Mays graduates,” says Lee Roever, the company’s vice president for human resources.  “Mays graduates are well prepared to enter our executive development program for buyers in terms of their marketing education and real-world experience, thanks in part to Mays’ Center for Retailing Studies.

“Our buyers must have strong communication styles, and they must be able to see the big picture while at the same time ‘getting down into the weeds’,” he continues. “We look for creative ‘fashion futurists’ who also understand the business side of retailing.  Our ideal candidate has strong marketing and analytical skills and can understand the importance of long-term relationships with our vendors.”

“Neiman Marcus has been one of the truly great partners and supporters of the Center for Retailing Studies and its mission to educate and produce the retailing leaders of tomorrow,” says David Szymanski, JCPenney Chair of Retailing Studies and Center for Retailing Studies director.  “Their training programs and service culture are second to none.”

The Center for Retailing Studies (CRS) works to enhance education at Mays, offering a retailing certificate that students can earn in addition to their Texas A&M business diploma.  That certificate requires a student to complete a required curriculum of courses which emphasize retailing and an internship with a retailer.  In addition, the center brings undergraduate and graduate students to the retailing real world, sponsoring annual trips to New York City and to other retailing hubs such as Atlanta, where last fall, students met with executives from The Home Depot, UPS, Macy’s South and Coca-Cola. 

“Such visits help showcase our students to the companies involved, as well as providing significant networking opportunities for the students,” says Cheryl Holland Bridges, CRS associate director. “The success of our former students has paved the way for current students.  When companies have positive experiences with our graduates and interns, they come back to us looking for more talent.  These companies become Mays’ repeat customers.”

Mays graduate Jennifer Finch, who is completing her first year as an assistant buyer for Neiman Marcus, is one such success story. 

“Mays and the Center for Retailing Studies gave me more confidence in my knowledge of retailing, as well as experience in professional situations,” Finch says.  “And it helped me refine the résumé and communication skills I needed, both to secure my present job and to succeed in it.”