Walmart Internships-Know More About It
Walmart sees its interns as the company’s future. Many college interns get full-time jobs at the retail giant after graduation.
During the 10-week program, interns work on curated projects in merchandising, supply chain, Sam’s Club and technology. They also participate in company-wide events, such as the associates’ meeting and the intern/executive softball game.
Merchandising
Merchandising is a vital part of any retail operation. It consists of displaying products in a manner that will encourage buyers to make purchases. It can be done in a variety of ways, including enticing window and in-store displays, strategic grouping of related items together, well-stocked shelves with clear signage, free samples or other gimmicks, in-store demonstrations and advertising. Merchandisers work closely with suppliers and retailers to ensure that they are offering the most popular products at the best possible prices.
A merchandising strategy also takes into account local climates, regional holidays, school and recreational activities, weather patterns and other factors that can influence customer behavior. The goal is to attract customers through a mix of short-term sales and promotions and longer-term brand building.
Walmart’s internship program offers a unique opportunity to students who want to gain real-world experience in retail and technology. The company provides robust projects for interns to complete during their 10-week internships, regardless of the time of year. Internships are available in merchandising, finance, human resources, supply chain management and technology.
Interns are often offered full-time jobs at the end of their summer internships, which is a big incentive for college students and recent graduates. For example, University of Arkansas student Tryson Lindley was offered a job as a software engineer at Walmart labs after his internship ended this year.
Walmart views its interns as the future of its company. It’s not uncommon for a college intern to become the company’s next CEO, according to an article in Forbes magazine. In fact, the company’s current president, Doug McMillon, started as a summer intern in real estate before moving to his career at Walmart.
Supply Chain
When consumers buy products, they often don’t give much thought to how that product got from the factory to their local store. The process of getting a product from raw materials into a finished form is known as supply chain management. It involves managing everything from procurement to transportation. The goal is to ensure that goods arrive at the right place at the right time and in the best possible condition. Efficient supply chains help to reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction.
Supply chains begin with the sourcing of raw materials, such as diamonds, leather or sheet metal. This is followed by converting the raw materials into a finished product and delivering it to a wholesaler or retailer for distribution. Big-box retailers like Walmart tend to have a shorter supply chain, buying generic products directly from manufacturers and shipping them straight to their warehouses or stores. Having efficient supply chain systems also helps to reduce inventory shrinkage, which occurs when a product is damaged or stolen while in transit.
The company’s internship program is designed to provide a full learning experience for students. They are given robust projects that may span the entire duration of the summer and are supervised by experienced associates. In addition, interns participate in professional development workshops and sessions with executives, giving them a chance to get a closer look at the business from the inside out.
The company also offers a number of community service activities, such as volunteering and hosting events for families in need. Interns are encouraged to socialize with other employees and develop life-long friendships. Additionally, they get the opportunity to take part in company-wide special events, such as community outings and the annual intern softball game against senior managers.
Human Resources
For graduates seeking careers in human resources, Walmart offers a variety of internships. Its HR department typically hires at least 75 percent of its interns. The company advertises job opportunities through its corporate website and various media channels. The company also recruits interns on college campuses and through referrals from current employees. Walmart uses indirect methods of recruitment, which minimizes human resource management costs and allows it to reach a larger group of potential applicants.
Sushil Akhare, a management information systems graduate student at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, started as a Walmart intern last summer. He joined a team that explores data to identify qualities that distinguish high-performing store managers from low-performing ones. Akhare says he hopes to continue his career with the retailer, which gives many of its interns full-time jobs after graduation. He says the company encourages employees to develop their skills and seek out new challenges.
Walmart’s culture score is a B, according to Comparably, and the company strives to provide associates with work-life balance. Its values include respecting and valuing diversity, including unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas and opinions. Its mission is to help customers and communities live better by embracing a wide variety of people and perspectives.
Internships are available in various departments and locations, including the corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company’s tech team includes software engineers, data scientists and cybersecurity experts who work remotely. Its accounting and finance teams use analytics, financial modeling and forecasting to make strategic decisions about the company’s operations. In addition to traditional benefits, such as a 401(k) match and stock purchase plan, Walmart’s perks include free healthcare and life insurance, emotional well-being support, and tuition coverage for employees and their children.
Information Technology
While many employers canceled internship programs during the pandemic, Walmart kept its virtual program going and this summer it has 700 interns on board who are spending ten weeks working on curated projects that allow them to test their skills in various departments like merchandising, finance, human resources, supply chain, Sam’s Club, and technology. Amy Goldfinger, senior vice president of global talent, said the company was pleased with the interns’ progress and that it is looking forward to welcoming them back for a full-time career at the retail giant in 2021.
Platt, who graduated from Walton College in 2017, says her internship experience gave her the opportunity to shadow other roles and sharpen her decision-making abilities. She now supports the hardlines business and finds her leadership team supportive of learning and collaboration. “Honestly, whatever your skill set and your interests are, Walmart probably has a role for you,” she said.
The retailer also offers a slew of employee benefits to its full- and part-time associates. These include health and wellness programs, life insurance, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and discounts on merchandise and services. Its associates can also benefit from its flexible work schedules, associate stock purchase plan, and educational assistance program.
It’s a culture that extends to the company’s corporate offices. Many of the interns who work at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, are given the opportunity to transition into a permanent position after their internship. Buada, Platt, Christian and Rathore were all offered jobs after their 10-week internships ended Aug. 12. The same is true of the many interns who worked at company stores across the country. In fact, more than half of Walmart’s interns return as full-time employees.
Marketing
Marketing is a major part of Walmart’s business model. Its low prices and broad selection of products appeal to customers from all walks of life. It also employs a variety of marketing strategies to maximize sales and attract new customers. These include traditional advertising, online promotions and email campaigns. Walmart’s marketing strategy has helped it stay competitive in the retail industry, despite competition from e-commerce sites like Amazon.
Aside from day-to-day projects, interns get to experience the culture of the company through a variety of events. These include community volunteerism, distribution center tours and the annual intern softball game against executives. The company also provides a wide range of professional development workshops. In addition, it offers an internship program that focuses on leadership development and technical training.
Internships are available in a variety of areas, including merchandising, human resources and finance. Walmart’s interns receive a salary and benefits, and many of them convert to full-time jobs after graduation. Internships are usually paid at the federal minimum wage. However, the pay varies depending on the number of hours worked and level of education.
The company has a strong partnership with its suppliers, which helps them negotiate lower prices. This enables them to pass the savings on to their customers. In addition, they use a range of marketing techniques to promote their products, such as price matching and price rollbacks. The company’s diversified product portfolio also includes private label brands, which help it cater to customers from all demographics. In addition, it maintains a large assortment of seasonal merchandise. This allows the company to capture more revenue throughout the year. It also invests heavily in logistics and distribution centers to ensure that products are delivered to stores in pristine condition.