Not a lot of 21-year-olds can brag about being a leader in a $65 million retail store. SJSU business student Jay Patel can.
An executive intern at Target's Westgate store in San José, Patel is learning critical management skills while taking a full load of coursework at SJSU. "I'm not just shadowing store managers, I have real responsibilities," he says. "I get to interact with and learn from upper management, work with diverse teams and make decisions. These real-world experiences bridge the gap between theory and practice and help lay the groundwork for my career."
Over the years, Target has developed a strong association with San José State. "We look for students who have leadership background, resiliency and drive," says Melissa Chu, campus recruiter for Target. "And at SJSU we consistently find people with the talent we're looking for."
In June, Target gave San José State a $50,000 grant to recognize the university's efforts in creating a campus that develops leaders. The grant will support the Bay Area Retail Leadership Institute, the annual Day of Service, athletic leadership development, student organizations, the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center, and "Target Days" on campus.
"Target has a very strong multi-disciplinary approach," says Cheryl Allmen-Vinnedge, director of SJSU's Career Center. "They have been able to make good inroads into the campus fabric, not only mentoring and recruiting students but also collaborating with faculty and the Career Center."
With more than 60 hires in the past three years from San José State, Target's commitment to education and nurturing leaders is self-evident. "Target has a very people-oriented culture," says Patel, who also presides over the Executive Leadership Council and the Society for Advancement of Management at SJSU. "Even though we're interns, they care for us like their employees and empower us with the tools to succeed."
Patel is Target's campus liaison at SJSU and has helped the company recruit students from disciplines as varied as communications and criminal justice. "People have the perception that we'd just be stocking shelves at Target," says Patel. "The reality is that SJSU graduates can work in management, assets protection, human resources, supply chain, advertising, and marketing. There's so much for students to choose from. And for Target, there are so many talented San José State students to tap into that it's a win-win for everyone."
-Mansi Bhatia
For more information on how to support campus efforts that build and strengthen student programs, academic initiatives and research, please contact Lisa Scoffield, director of corporate and foundation relations, at 408-924-1329.
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