My Trip to Minneapolis
Eighteen hours and roughly about 1,200 miles—these are the time and distance that took me to drive to Minneapolis from my suburban home near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I still vividly remember checking my car dashboard and looking up one more time to say good-bye to my mom before departing for my summer internship at Target HQ. When I left home with an excited heart, I did not realize how much I would learn from just the drive to Minneapolis. The two biggest lessons I learned were dealing with a sense of uncertainty and expanding the horizon of my interests. I have always been a planner. Whether it is merely going to grab a lunch or hanging out with friends, I had to make plans. In hindsight, I think it was a way of coping with my sense of uncertainty about the future. From the trip, I realized that sometimes I have to […]

by Tony Tony | Aug 10, 2017
4 commentsMy Target Internship: Michael
Target offers Store Executive, Distribution, HQ Undergrad and HQ Graduate internship opportunities. Want to learn more? Michael, a Store Executive Intern, shares his experience below. • Name: Michael S. • Lives in: Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh), PA • College year: Penn State University, Class of December 2017 • Why did you decide to do an internship at Target? I decided to do this internship with Target because it seemed like it would be a great experience with an even better company that would help me to build essential business and leadership skills. • Which Target team(s) will you be working with this summer? What is your role? My role as an executive intern means I will be working with all the different teams throughout the Target store to gain insight and experience with each over the 10 week program. This will hopefully prepare me to lead the store and different teams throughout the final couple weeks […]

by Michael S. Michael S. | Jul 20, 2017
9 commentsMy Target Internship: Jabari
Target offers Store Executive, Distribution, HQ Undergrad and HQ Graduate internship opportunities. Want to learn more? Jabari, an HQ intern in Technology, shares his experience below. Name: Jabari Lives in: White Plains, NY College year: 4th year at SUNY New Paltz Why I decided to do an internship at Target: This is my second summer at Target. The first time I chose to intern here was because I had the opportunity to meet several recruiters and visit the headquarters. The Target representatives demonstrated to me Target had a great company culture, and there was a lot of new technology to be learned. After my first summer, I can say that Target exceeded my expectations. The laid back, but still hard-working and productive tech culture was everything that I imagined and more. Through that experience, I have learned skills that have jumpstarted my professional career. I chose to come back because […]

by Pulse Blog Administrator PulseBlogAdministrator | Jul 11, 2017
7 commentsWelcome Interns!
June is an exciting month for Target – it’s when we welcome our summer interns! Read on to learn more about our intern programs from the program owners themselves. Christen, Field Campus Program Manager, Field Talent Acquisition Jenna, HQ Internship Program Owner, HQ Campus Talent Acquisition What internship programs does Target have? We have 8 total undergraduate internship programs and 4 total graduate programs across HQ and the Field. The HQ Internship Program spans several businesses including, Target Technology Services, Inventory Management, Space and Presentation, Product Design and Development, Finance and Accounting, and Marketing for undergraduates. The graduate interns span across EDABI, Merchandising, Finance and Supply Chain (HQ and in the Field). For Field-based internships, we have the Stores Executive Internship and Fulfillment Center Operations Internship. Who is involved in the planning of an internship program? It might be easier to start with who is NOT involved in the internship programs! Running […]

by Pulse Blog Administrator PulseBlogAdministrator | Jun 7, 2017
19 commentsPreparing for Interns Coast to Coast
Springtime is an exciting time for Target – it means that preparation to welcome over 1,000 Interns across the country is in full swing! Read on to learn more about how our Intern teams are working hard to prepare and what you can do to have a successful summer! Jesi, Lead Executive Recruiter, Campus, from Stores and Distribution: Interns! Interns! Interns! That is my number one focus as we head into the big Intern Kick-Off in my markets! Intern Kick-Off is my Black Friday. It’s the day where all of our recruiting efforts over the past school year come to light as a group of amazing young leaders joins the Target Team as Store Executive and Distribution Operations Interns. But before we get to that big day, there is a ton of preparation that goes into planning all things Intern. It starts in the fall…we take a look at the […]

by Target Intern Team Target Intern Team | May 24, 2016
26 commentsMaking the Bullseye – The Executive Intern’s Guide
Here are the main lessons I have taken away from my experience as an Executive Intern for Target: Know your team, know your business. Your first week as an Intern at Target feels like learning a new language; there are hundreds of business concepts, terms, and especially acronyms to take in. This is just one reason why building relationships with your team is crucial as they will teach you the language of Target and help you become a successful leader. It is a matter of weeks before you will be leading your team of 100+ people in order to operate a multi-million dollar store (with full support from your store mentor of course!). Knowing your team is dually critical when giving directions and when asking for help. You’ll also find that the team has some pretty amazing people on it! Embrace uncertainty and be courageous. Much of the executive internship […]

by Lyssa ETL Executive Intern | Aug 18, 2015
26 commentsA Few of Many Lessons Learned at Target
I am halfway through my second summer with Target and I cannot believe how fast time is going. I’m a senior, but I will be graduating in December, so I have just six short months to prepare for my next step with this great company. Originally, I found Target through a career fair at my university. Of course I had shopped at Target plenty of times, but I never knew about all of the career opportunities Target offers. My first summer in the program I was placed in Human Resources, a field I wasn’t familiar with at the time. That was my first lesson here: trust your leaders. They had taken into account my strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, personality traits and more then decided that work center was a good place to start developing my leadership skills. About halfway through I developed a passion for HR. I had already dove […]

by Brian Stores Intern | Aug 4, 2015
7 commentsWhat Z-Racks Taught Me About Life
“Oh my goodness,” I thought to myself as I stared at the dauntingly full z-rack of bathing suits in the fitting room. I was tasked with completing the re-shop at the start of the day and was utterly overwhelmed. “All right, you can do this” I said to myself, pushing the rack onto the floor. Forty minutes and an empty z-rack later I walked back to the fitting room, proud of myself and my quick work, only to find another full z-rack waiting for me. After three z-racks, I began to realize that the work load would never be truly “done.” Finished, over, box-checked does not actually exist with re-shop. How could these team members deal with this phenomenon? What must it be like to know that fully completing a task is an impossibility? When I finally got home after that first Saturday on duty I came to the conclusion […]

by Alyssa Stores Intern | Jul 29, 2015
8 commentsTargeting My Future
It’s always a scary thought when people ask me, “What are your plans when you graduate from college? Where do you want to work? Where do you want to live?” For a college student unsure of where the future might take them, these sounded like daunting questions that remained unanswered. That is until I spoke to Target at my university’s career fair. Of course through the years as an avid shopper, I fell in love with the Target brand and the culture you hear about within the community. This love grew deeper as I began the interview process while looking for an internship. Every person I spoke to had so much experience with the company and provided great feedback and advice. Not only did the company loyalty shine through when speaking to team members in all departments and at all levels, but the feedback from previous interns was amazing. […]

by Kaitlin Stores Intern | Jul 21, 2015
8 commentsExperience is the Best Teacher
Author Paulo Coelho said, “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” In the world we live in today, opportunities for college students to get quality work experience before graduation are few and far between. Luckily for me, the Target internship landed in my lap without my ever realizing how truly valuable it would be. In the past 7 weeks I have learned more about leadership, managing a business, and working with a team than any amount of time in school could have ever taught me. I have been included and incorporated into the Target fabric and nothing fosters growth better than inclusion. My mentor has challenged me to own my development and encourages me to always ask questions and continue to learn. She has pushed me out of my comfort zone because she knows what I am capable of doing, but has stayed close enough to let me know […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Aug 6, 2014
2 commentsBuilding Confidence
Being a senior and attending Louisiana’s flagship school, I was always taught to be prideful and confident in my university. I have never been too shy to scream “GEAUX Tigers,” and I have always made it a point to say “Love Purple and Live GOLD”. However, it has always bothered me that I could be so confident in a school or even our football team, but I have myself lacked self-confidence. While I attending LSU I have taken classes that allowed me to conduct some self-evaluations and dive into my personality type. Sure enough, all my results from my instructors and classmates were along the lines of “Take Risks” or “Be Confident”. I began to realize that if I was always afraid or nervous that I would not be able to excel. Once I began my executive food internship at Target I was very excited; yet, the feeling of excitement […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Jul 29, 2014
2 commentsReal life?
College, internships, careers; sounds stressful, huh? This is because from the moment we begin elementary school we expect the next year to be so much harder. In middle school we are told, “You kids better be ready for high school, you need to pay attention and have a good GPA for college applications”. In high school we hear, “Start preparing for college; the work is harder and this is where ‘real life’ begins”. I was always the type that didn’t want to think ahead. Yeah, I filled out college applications, but not until the last day possible. Yeah, I went to the career fair, but it was after my parents and teachers told me numerous times how important it is and how “it won’t be that bad”. After my sophomore year at Purdue I realized that life is actually a whole lot different than college. The amount of free time […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Jul 24, 2014
6 commentsMarching for PRIDE
I volunteered to March in the Minneapolis PRIDE parade that Sunday. When I got there I wasn’t sure what to expect since the last time I’d marched was back in elementary school for band. As soon as I arrived downtown the energy in the air was apparent. Tons of people were strolling around with their chests up, sporting rainbows and skin. The Target Float really stood out to me, because even though it wasn’t grandiose like the Macys float, the intricacy in it said so much. The team members who were there organizing explained to me how children had done all the individual cards that went into the float. Each card represented an ode to love and equality, not from full grown activists, but from children. It was the perfect symbol for how integrated Target is in the community both here and at large. Before the marching began we were […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Jul 22, 2014
1 commentPutting the S in Progress
Image: Headquarters interns participate in the annual Tomato Royale Food Fight in the Twin Cities. I identify myself as a writer. Whether I am organizing a technical document or unleashing my creative spirit on paper, I try to review each word for elegance and sentence for style. My philosophy was that one spelling mistake could ruin a reputation. When I started at Target I immediately jumped into a project documenting how Target team members would use a new application and how Target Technology Services would support it. Making technology easier and more accessible is one of my biggest passions. I spent the first week reviewing material and condensing it into a guide that could be universally understood. One of the lessons I learned from technical writing was how to make a large impact with the fewest words possible. Once I was finished, I prepared for feedback. As I hit SEND […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Jul 10, 2014
4 commentsBoarding Call for Success
At Target, we talk about professional development using the terms “strengths” and “opportunities”-the latter being a euphemism for “weakness”. During my first weekly mentor meeting my store team leader, Rony, shared an insightful metaphor. He compared strengths and opportunities to the parts of a plane. He described that we fly with our strengths; propelled by our innate and instinctive strengths as the fuel of the plane. However, our flight will always be weighed down by our opportunities, essentially our baggage (excuse the pun). To get to our destination the quickest we must lead with our strengths and control our opportunities. My plane, now shining with the bright red Target bullseye symbol, has swiftly ascended into clear skies. Truthfully, what makes this flight so smooth and pleasant is my team. On my first day in the store I was embraced by smiles and even a hug! My cheeks actually hurt from […]

by 2014 Intern 2014 Interns | Jul 7, 2014
14 commentsThe 411- Tips for New Interns
Beginning your first internship can be an experience filled with nerves and excitement. If you set yourself up for success and are open to anything, there’s no need for nerves. As an intern you are going to have the chance to learn so much and contribute so much. Target isn’t looking for interns to get their executives coffee and make copies. Target is looking for interns that are leaders. Interns do the exact same things their mentors do. That’s the best part. You will attend executive meetings, run the sales floor, solve guest complaints and manage your team. So once you’ve gotten here, it’s up to you to make the best of it. Your leaders want you to do well and want you to take on important responsibilities, be engaged and show them you’re ready. Once you first start your internship it’s extremely important to build relationships. By having relationships […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Aug 21, 2013
21 commentsRX Intern: Immunization Pharmacy Table
My name is Revika and I am a pharmacy intern in Florida. A few weeks ago we held an immunization awareness event at our store. I was able to represent our pharmacy at the front end of the store by hosting a pharmacy immunization table with the assistance of a pharmacy team member. Together, we were able to educate our guests on immunizations, drive sales for our pharmacy and store and indirectly drive a healthy community. Key wins from our table were that we signed-up eight contacts for immunization call backs in the fall, handed out 75 welcome kits (which included a hand sanitizer, our pharmacy business card, new patient profile, coupons, and a target pen) and conducted four blood pressure screenings. In addition, I had the pleasure of interacting with a guest in a one-one informative consultation about our specialty pharmacy because of the special medications he fills at another retailer […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Aug 8, 2013
No comments yetMy Target Internship
Throughout my interview process with Target, each person I met with emphasized Target’s inclusive and fun culture. From the second I walked in the door for my first day of the internship, my expectations were blown away as the reality of my interviewers’ testimonies set in. Every team member and leader greeted me with a smile and enthusiasm, making me instantly feel at home. After my second week in store, I was so connected to the group’s energy I felt as if I had been part of the team for years. I was pleasantly surprised to immediately be included in an executive outing where I got to bond with my peers in a more relaxed setting. This environment not only makes me want to come to work each day, I am excited to come. The fun and friendly culture created within Target motivates me to be productive and efficient, doing my part to a […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Aug 6, 2013
8 commentsa new perspective
I am on the threshold of finishing up my fourth week as an intern at Target. Every day has been crammed with new challenges and obstacles; new memories and hilarious moments. Frequently I feel that no matter how often I work, there is still so much that I need to learn. When considering Target’s “language” of acronyms, their fast-paced routine, and what seems like an infinite number of products, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Recently our store hired several new team members, and today I had the opportunity to help with orientation. It was empowering to be able to answer all of their questions and give them advice. I knew exactly how they felt—excited, nervous, and confused—because I literally was feeling the exact same way less than one month ago. The incredible part about working with the new team members was that it made me realize how much […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Aug 1, 2013
5 commentsMy home away from home
Change. If I had to sum up my summer spent interning for Target in one word, this would have to be it. One would think that walking into my assigned store as an executive team lead human resources intern for the first time and meeting an entirely new team, hoping to fit in with my red and khaki, would be enough change for one day. However, one could also say that my first day looked a little different than most. Reason being: my store is located in the heart of the windy city of Chicago, which became my temporary home just a short two days before my internship began. When coming from a rural town in Wisconsin, which seems to be the size of just a few city blocks, simply arriving to my store on the first day posed to be a challenge. On my first day, I ventured out […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 29, 2013
No comments yetHeadquarters Internships – halfway there
I cannot believe that the summer for our interns in Minneapolis is halfway through! The energy in the headquarters buildings is incredible and totally contagious; which is making the time fly by. So far this summer our 393 interns have volunteered to help the education efforts in the Twin Cities and watched the Twins demolish the Yankees at Target Center. Our 356 undergraduate interns dominated in their kickball league and we got a chance to meet many of their family and friends in our first ever Undergraduate Guest Event last weekend! It was so fun to learn more about what is important to them and introduce their loved ones to Target. Our 37 MBA interns are just getting started! I was able to join them at a cooking class a where we learned how to hand crank pasta. It was delicious! They are doing an incredible job connecting to Target […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 24, 2013
No comments yetMy Target Internship Experience
My name is James, and I am an executive intern in Delaware. When I first started the internship process, I had no idea what to expect. Every day seemed to be a new experience with exciting new challenges to overcome. My story begins with the executive internship orientation in the beginning of the summer. When I first stepped into the room full of eager interns I was pleasantly surprised to see all the effort Target put into making the experience enjoyable and as educational as possible. I have heard a great deal of stories from fellow students participating in internships that that didn’t take full advantage of their skills, time or talents. As I first stepped into the room full of Target employees, one thing became very clear to me rather quickly- my experience was not going to be one of those stories. In fact, I knew on that very […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 22, 2013
1 commentVolunteering with Target
Before applying to the Target internship program, I did research on what Target brand stood for as a brand. I wanted to intern for a responsible company and after doing some research I was excited to learn about Target’s involvement within the local communities. During my third week as an intern I was lucky enough to participate in Target’s commitment to giving back to the community. My store pulled together a great team to make a difference in the lives of over 300 families. Each month my store partners with the Boston Food bank and volunteers at a nearby school. When I first got to the event at the food bank my team worked to allocate vegetables into plastic bags so each family would be given the correct amount of vegetables. Each family would be given a certain amount of produce per number of children in their family. As soon […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 18, 2013
8 commentsLife as the “LOD”
As a Target executive team leader (ETL) intern I am not only exposed to new faces, surprise store visits, and an infinite amount of training, but every few days I am able to stand at the front of the store with a huge smile on and say, “this is mine.” Well, sort of. There are a handful of individuals in each store who get to carry on their backs the title of “LOD” (leader on duty) multiple times a week, a month, and/or a year…if you are an ETL-Intern you will more than likely receive the opportunity to do this. Every Wednesday night I close the store with my mentor and get to put on the LOD “hat”. It is the LOD’s responsibility to know who is working the upcoming shifts, ensure their knowledge of payroll for the week and month are up to date, and lastly but definitely not least, understand where each department of […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 17, 2013
3 commentsfirst week at the pharmacy
Just in the first week of my internship I had the opportunity to provide a guest with amazing guest service and a true “expect more” moment. A guest approached the pharmacy counter expressing extreme anxiety about a recent diagnosis. She was nervous about the potential outcomes of her condition and what she would need to do to treat it. She had three young children and is concerned about what the future would hold for her and her family. I proceeded to take the next forty-five minutes and went step by step through her entire treatment process; how to set up her tools and medicine, what everything meant, what foods she should avoid, which she should eat more of, and a recommended work-out regimen. When the guest left the pharmacy she had a smile on her face, expressed confidence in being able to manage her disease state and no longer seemed […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 12, 2013
4 commentsAnd some days the coolers stop working
There are certain phrases and terms that Target team members hear often. One that always resonates with me is the idea of being resilient and adaptable. Take it from me; this is probably one of the most important qualities to have in Target, because you never know what kind of curve balls are going to be thrown at you throughout the day. I see every day what being resilient and adaptable does for the benefit of the store, leaders and team members. Some days you set sales planners without realizing the product has not come in yet, some days you spend hours zoning cosmetics only to have it looks completely different hours later. And then some days the coolers stop working. I had just gotten off of my break when I was called to meet up with one of my stores logistics leaders. He was in the grocery section and […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 8, 2013
No comments yetImproving safety for our guests
In the midst of my third week interning at Target pharmacy, our executive pharmacist came to me with an assignment. She had been cleaning out the storage room to prevent pharmacy diversion and came across a Sharps Container. For those of you wondering, Sharps are any device that can puncture or penetrate the skin. Home Sharps Containers hold items such needles used for the treatment of diabetes, glass, and syringes. Sharps Containers must be disposed of properly because they put workers on collection routes at risk for Hepatitis, HIV, and other potentially harmful blood borne pathogens and diseases. So taking this into account, where does one take a Sharps Container? How do you properly dispose of it? Our whole team honestly had no idea, and that’s where my part began.. First, I did a little research into what kind of support our county offers for waste disposal. From there, […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jul 3, 2013
1 commentThe Unwritten Rules & My Target Family
“Family” is how I would describe my on-boarding experience at Target so far. Each team member has treated me as a true Target team member- holding me to high expectations, yet continuing to volunteer their time and knowledge to help me own my own development. Team members do not become frustrated with my questions, but rather smile and recognize me once I master something new. To anyone who has not experienced the atmosphere in a Target store, spending more time at “work” than at home may sound undesirable, yet I do not mind one bit. My experience in assets protection this summer has been very different than my experiences last summer. The change has been a learning opportunity for me- meeting a new team, attaining new levels understanding, and expanding my horizon. My eight hour shifts have flown by and I feel inspired for my future leadership opportunities. Target embraces […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jun 28, 2013
5 commentsGiving Back with Target
As a 2013 pharmacy intern, I’ve learned a ton about the best practices of Target Pharmacy. I’ve personally seen how the Target pharmacy staff partners with its guests to promote healthy communities, but what about the rest of Target? I bet you didn’t know that Target gives 5 percent of its profit back to local communities each week; I sure didn’t! However, Target believes that the time spent through volunteering in our community is equally as valuable as the financial contributions they make. I was able to experience this commitment to service when my leaders invited our interns to participate in a local Habitat for Humanity Event. We piled into cars, wore our Target volunteer t-shirts, and headed to a nearby town to get our hands dirty. When we arrived, we were greeted by the Habitat for Humanity staff. They were immediately impressed by our huge turnout of volunteers! They […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jun 26, 2013
7 commentsTarget Intern Training: Trying New Things
It’s my second week here at Target as a human resources intern. I’m already starting to see the importance of cross training here at Target. I mean, HR and power equipment certification? Well, okay – sure. I’m generally willing to try anything aside from jumping out of airplanes or bungee jumping. Power equipment certification doesn’t sound all that intimidating- it’s just another day in the life of a Target intern, right? I can drive a car. I can… use a toaster? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever used a piece of power equipment in my entire life. Here’s to trying new things! I make my way into the back room for my certification and get my first glimpse at the equipment I will be using. Hmm, this is pretty large equipment; I’m starting to doubt how I feel about this. I’ll spare you the details but […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jun 17, 2013
7 commentsMidwest Field Internship Program Kickoff
As I pulled into the parking lot of our Target Northern Campus in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota this morning, I was barely able to contain my excitement for our Midwest Field Internship Program Kickoff! We get the opportunity to reconnect with some amazingly talented college students and officially welcome them to Target! It has been the culmination of our leadership and campus recruitment teams’ hard work and dedication to seek out these talented individuals to engage in our Stores, Pharmacy and Distribution summer internship program! The goal of our program is to provide a realistic job preview into our entry-level leadership and pharmacy roles at Target. We have been anticipating this day for a long ten months and are thrilled it’s finally upon us! Our leadership teams and business partners were amongst the first to welcome our interns on their first day, who were all sporting our team colors of red […]

by 2013 Interns target internship program | Jun 4, 2013
Engineering Leadership
Engineers are leaders too! Coming into my interview process for Target I had two thoughts about why this would be a great position for me. First and foremost was the Target brand. I knew the Target brand and knew that I would be proud to be a part of a company that shared the same values as me. The second reason was that the position was in a distribution center. Having studied distribution in my engineering classes I thought this would be a great opportunity to see it firsthand. I was right about both of these, but I learned something more important along the way. I learned the foundations of leadership. From day one I was challenged as a leader. Target’s internship program allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone while still having support every step of the way. So looking back what is the most important thing […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 28, 2012
2 commentsConnecting the Dots
I am currently interning at the Sterling West Target in Northern Virginia. I am a rising senior at James Madison University (GO DUKES), double majoring in Communication Studies and Technical Science Communication. Most interns are excited to buy new red shirts and khaki pants, get their Target name tag and learn about how their favorite store is run- but I had a little different of an onboarding experience. Target was my first job when I was 16 years old. It was the first place I drove to without paternal supervision. It was the first place I interviewed at with my little black business suit. And I still have pictures of when I took my first Target paycheck to Bank of America, to open my first bank account. As you can tell, Target holds many memories and first for me, and yes I am one of those sentimental people. But what […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 23, 2012
No comments yetIt’s More Than Profit. It’s People.
One of the first questions Target asked me during my interviews for their internship program is the following: “Why do you want to work for Target?” I didn’t mention the retail part, though it’s the second most powerful retail store in the country. Nor did I mention the benefits, though Target takes care of us to promote a healthy work/life balance. Instead, my answer consisted of two parts. I wanted to work in a company that cared about people and its community. And I wanted a place to grow and learn. Today, I got to see both these aspects thrive at Target’s volunteer event at Education Partners, whose goal is to provide underprivileged students with new school supplies. When the Target team and I entered the building, we were surrounded with shelves brimming with new glue bottles, binders, notebooks, etc., all donated from different companies or organizations. It was good […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 21, 2012
3 commentsA Few Fears and Triumphs
I have this fear. Big deal, everybody has fears right? But I have this fear. It’s a Monday. No Tuesday. It’s a Tuesday morning, and I’m strutting down Nicollet Mall like it’s nobody’s business. All of the sudden the street starts to crack, rumble and part beneath my feet like a Nicholas Cage movie, forcing me down a deep, dark hole in the center of the Earth where my internship at Target doesn’t exist. Whether my fear is just Nicholas Cage “films” or living in a post-Target internship world, I have a few thoughts and reflections on my summer here at Target— you know, before I fall down a deep, dark hole or something. 1) Elevators. Never rode in so many elevators in my life. The ones here at Target are super fast, fun and friendly and require some chewing gum or a nose plug to keep your ears from […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 13, 2012
1 commentFacility Operations: The Lifeline of Target Distribution
A simple definition; not such a simple department. The complexities that go into leading a Facilities Operations team, while helping drive the success of the building as well as the Target brand, can be a daunting task for a summer intern. Having my internship experience dubbed “The Experiment” before day one with only a single predecessor in the department’s history, it was safe to say that my internship went from daunting to, “buckle up, this is going to get VERY interesting” in the blink of a Target bullseye! From the moment I stepped onto the property in Midlothian, TX, my T-3801 peers have been there to guide me through. Interning in Facilities Operations is very different from interning in an operational department, mainly in that my team never actually does what team members in the other departments do: move boxes through the building. We never offload a trailer in inbound […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 9, 2012
No comments yetLearning Target Pharmacy and a Whole Lot More
My name is Maryam and I’m a University of Florida 2nd year Doctorate of Pharmacy student, and I am Pharmacy Intern in Port Orange, Florida. Each and every day brings excitement, fun and tons of learning! The pharmacy internship at Target attracted me because of its well-structured, diverse, and interesting setup as pharmacy interns learn everything about the store, not just pharmacy which differed from many of the other retail competitors. At first, I was a bit puzzled as to why a pharmacy intern needs to know the complete in’s and out’s of the store from serving as Guest Service Team Leader for a day on the front lines to helping out logistics in stocking the aisles in the early morning hours, but I quickly realized that the successful business model of Target is due to three main factors: innovation, integration and investment. Innovation in transforming the retail business model […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Aug 2, 2012
2 commentsLearning the Target Language
ETL, LOD, STL, zoning, re-shop, PDA, flexing, DTK … are you confused yet? Don’t worry so was I! Target has its own unique culture and its own language to go along with that culture. Yes, “overwhelming” can be a word I used to describe my first couple weeks as a Target intern. However, hands-on learning, challenging, motivating, and leadership also come to mind when I think of my experience. I have just begun my third week as a Store Executive Intern, and I must say the “Fast, Fun, and Friendly” motto is represented strongly. I have been accepted as a Target team member from the minute I set foot inside the building. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms and has contributed to my training in the most positive ways. My mentor has guided me every step of the way. She has a wonderful sense of humor and treats me […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jul 26, 2012
No comments yetthe world of distribution, through the eyes of a marketing major
I think that in the world of marketing majors, distribution is probably the most forgotten amongst the key components of the marketing mix. After six weeks at Target’s Wilton, NY (T579) Distribution Center, I can’t imagine how that’s so. Target spends so much time understanding and striving to satisfy the needs of our guests by selecting the right product for them, communicating it appropriately and strategically pricing it. Well what about how we get it to them? The past six weeks in distribution have forced me to look at marketing in a completely new light. On my first day in the DC in early June, I walked into this huge building not knowing what exactly to expect. I second guessed myself before the start date, and asked questions like “Is distribution right for me?”, “Does this have anything to do with marketing?” etc. I quickly became reassured when I experienced […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jul 24, 2012
1 commentmerchandise planning intern turned meticulous milliner
As a Target intern, I wear many hats. Or I should say, create many hats. That’s right—this past week I transformed from merchandise planning intern into meticulous milliner (that’s the word for a female hat maker). I know what you’re thinking… there’s a word for that?! Yes, there’s a word for that! And there should be, too. My hat designs were so great I’m confident I could beat Picasso in a puffy paint contest. However, I never would have discovered this hidden talent if I had not volunteered with the beauty department at Lyngblomsten Senior Care facility last Thursday. Our volunteer event was coordinated through United Way for our floor, but honestly felt more like a FFF (Fast, Fun and Friendly) event than anything else. The entire beauty department, suited up in jeans and white cotton tees, flooded out of the building at lunch, armed with energy and high spirits […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jul 19, 2012
No comments yetThe ABC’s of my Target Internship
Acronyms. Will I ever learn them all? Bullseye the Dog. Who doesn’t love our mascot? CEO Gregg Steinhafel. I am so excited to hear him speak in July! Department 20/25. Women’s Sleepwear and Leg Wear are where it’s at! Eclock. Punch in and out! FFF. Fast, Fun, and Friendly is everywhere in the company. Guest Insights. They provide all of the consumer insights for my project so I can learn about what consumers are looking for in sunglasses and what the popular sizes for women’s legwear. Happy Hours. Whether with my team, alumni, or interns, it is always a great time to relax after a busy week. IR. I can’t do anything in my project without it! (Software we use in merchandising) July. It’s going to be casual. (a full month of the Friday casual dress code) Kickball. It brings back nostalgia of middle school gym class. Go Close Call! […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jul 5, 2012
1 commentA Day in the Life of an HQ Intern
This summer, I am interning as a Merchandise Planning Business Analyst in the Dairy department. Being an intern at Target HQ here in Minneapolis is an exciting experience – especially when you get to spend each day in a corral with six other interns! Each day brings new lessons to learn, people to meet, and Target company culture to experience. One thing I haven’t mentioned yet is the eighth member of our intern corral (which we fondly call the Cereal Bowl, as it includes the Dairy and Breakfast interns J) – a sock monkey named Mr. State. Mr. State is representative from Michigan State University and he has been following us everywhere the past week. Through Mr. State, you’ll see what it is like to be an MP BA (Merchandise Planning Business Analyst) intern! Mr. State always starts his day catching up on emails and following up with his mentor […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jul 2, 2012
1 commentit’s inventory time
I never thought in a million years that I would be part of counting every single item that sits in a Target store, but that was before I found out that I was going to be part of helping with the annual inventory. Target’s inventory is extremely important; it reflects how well the store has done in the past year, what you’ve sold, and how much is sitting on your sales floor and the backroom. It is also part of the achieving excellence score. It is very important that everything be done as accurately as possible. In order to help with accuracy quite a bit of prep work must be done and at first I was oblivious to all that needed to be done. I quickly learned that inventory prep would start about a week and half before the actual inventory were to take place. The entire backroom had to […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 29, 2012
No comments yetFast, Fun and Friendly
Fast, Fun, & Friendly. These three words are at the core of what makes Target unique. I didn’t realize what this meant until I stepped into my role as a pharmacy intern! From the team members to even the guests that choose to shop here, the ambience of Target is truly fast, fun, & friendly. This motto is one that embodies the Target brand and is practiced by all Target team members. The fact that Target opts to refer to it’s shoppers as “guests” tells you quite a bit about just how we feel about guest service. From the moment that I walked into my store I was greeted with smiling faces who wanted nothing more than to see me succeed and grow in a way that would make my experience all the more enjoyable. As a pharmacy intern, you would expect a majority of your work to be done […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 25, 2012
1 commentinternship take two
This is my second year as a Store Intern for Target and very excited for what the summer has in store for me. I am currently a student at Baldwin Wallace University and will be starting my last semester of college in August. Last summer I was the intern at T-0985 in Strongsville, OH and now the Advanced Intern at T-2266 in Fairview Park, OH. Being an intern for Target stores is a great way to learn how to run a successful business within a store. These first few weeks have been so exciting; full of meeting the team and getting to know my mentor (ETL-SL, which stands for Executive Team Leader- Softlines), who I will be shadowing for the summer. We have planned out my summer to fully be able to get the most out of the internship. The best part about the internship is that you get hands-on […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 22, 2012
2 commentsstores intern turned headquarters intern
These past two weeks have been pretty overwhelming… moving to a new city, meeting tons of new people, and starting a new 8-5 job. Back in September, after a previous internship with Target (as an Executive Store Intern) and another round of interviews, I was offered a position for the 2012 summer as a Business Analyst Intern at Target HQ. The whole thing seemed so far away until very recently when I found myself at the Southwest check-in counter with 5 bags of luggage. I call it the “No shoe left behind” campaign. The flight from St. Louis (my hometown) flew by (haha pun!) and I was in Minneapolis before I knew it. Saturday was spent settling into the Target provided housing at Stadium View Apartments. The apartments are pretty sweet; there is a fitness room downstairs (which I probably won’t use because I’ll take advantage of the mild summer and […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 21, 2012
1 commentheadquarters intern welcome
Target HQ is rolling out the red carpet to welcome its 2012 Summer Interns! Headquarters will host over 350 interns this summer. On Monday, Interns representing 42 different colleges travelled to downtown Minneapolis to begin what for many is the first day of a long-term career at Target. Headquarters offers internships in areas like merchandising, finance and marketing. The 10-week program involves a project and preview of what a full-time role at Target is like. Interns gain experience solving a problem and presenting their findings to Target leadership. Along the way they are immersed in Target culture, learning everything from what it means to “coffee” to how to give and receive feedback. The day began with advice from Keri Jones, SVP of Merchandise Planning, and Corey Haaland, SVP of Financial Planning Analysis and Tax. Interns listened eagerly as the two bestowed advice on making the most of the Target experience. […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 20, 2012
5 commentsKicking off the field internship program!
This past Monday morning was no ordinary day … it was a day our campus recruitment team has been eagerly anticipating and preparing for over the last several months. Our recruiters have been dedicated and passionate about pursuing top talent across several college campuses within the U.S. this past fall and spring to find the best interns for our Stores, Pharmacy and Distribution Centers. As a sea of red and khaki streamed into the intern kickoff room for the Midwest, we all couldn’t help but feel excited and energized! Our internship program for Stores, Pharmacy and Distribution focuses primarily on leadership development and providing a realistic job preview into our entry-level leader roles. It was amazing to meet so many passionate interns – whether they were returning or new – start their 10-week summer experience. Many of our field leaders also attended to welcome our interns and provide insight, support […]

by Target Internship Program Target Internship Program | Jun 14, 2012
2 comments