Note: The NCF SHRM meeting is actually tomorrow, Thursday the 14th, at the same time. Therefore we will just try to go as a group next month. Feel free to go on your own if you would like!

Minutes from meeting 1/11/10

Today's meeting featured a speaker from the Miller Center for Retailing who came to speak about the various employment opportunities available in the retailing business.

Our speaker went over the different types of retailers (such as discount retailers, department stores, specialty retailers, big box, etc). and several types of jobs within the retail business.
Two of the most important jobs within the retailing business that our speaker went over are retail manager (who oversees the look of the store, designs store layout, manages personnel, makes sales plans, etc.) and buyer/planner (who manage the flow of merchandise from manufacturer to consumer, negotiate with vendors, help manage staff, etc.) Both of these jobs require strong interpersonal skills, since they involve communication with both employees and vendors, some analytical skills, and the ability to work in a team (which are all qualities of someone pursuing human resources as a career). Retail Managers and buyers/planners earn between $50,000 and $60,000 as their initial salary, and that number can double in 3 to 5 years. Of course, another important job within the retail business is a human resource specialist, who is in charge of the recruitment, training, placement, advancement, and welfare of employees among other things.
In order to prepare for a career in retailing, our speaker suggested doing PAID internships only (unpaid interns are often assigned meaningless tasks, such as getting coffee) and enrolling in several business and marketing classes, including the Sears Seminar Series (MAR 2290), which allows students to meet professionals from the retailing business in weekly seminars. Also, the Miller Center for Retailing is a great resource for anyone interested or even curious in retailing. You can visit the center at 200 Bryan Hall, or reach them by email: cecilia.schulz@cba.ufl.edu


Now some GatorSHRM announcements...

The final logo is up on our blog website! Check it out!

The Towerhill Insurance tour will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2nd from 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Here is the itinerary for our visit:
8:30 - 9:30: Introduction of HR Team Members/Overview of HR operation in the P&C insurance industry
9:30 - 10:30: Benefits/Payroll
10:00 - 10:30: Recruiting/Employee Relations
10:30 - 11:00: Training
11:00 - 11:30: Q&A
There were only 3 spots left after our meeting today so make sure you contact us if you are interested right away!

There will be a presentation called "Careers in Human Resources" on Thursday, Jan. 14th at 2 PM in Matherly 120
The Director of human resources for JCPenney will talk about how students can break into a career in HR.

NCF SHRM will be here in Gainesville on January 21st from 3:30 - 5:30 at AvMed (4300 NW 89th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606)
We are thinking about going together as a group so let us know if you are interested so we can get a carpool together!

Look out for the GatorSHRM facebook page coming soon!

We are looking into several fundraisers/socials (with 101 Cantina and Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Company) so we need your support so we can make them happen!

Since it is Ashlei's last semester here at UF, an HR position will open.
For more information and to send resumes email Ashlei at aharris@uff.ufl.edu

For more information about the MSM (Master of Science: Management) program here at UF, email Kristen at kreuther@ufl.edu

The tentative date for our next meeting is Feb. 8th at 7 PM.
We will keep you posted with more updates!!