Student group prepares for future in retail

Students interested in a career in the retail business have an opportunity to get connected to the industry with the Student Retail Association, a Kelley School of Business club.\n"Our mission is to generate awareness and heighten students' interest in career possibilities within a retail environment," said SRA President Aaron Boskovich, who has been an active member for three years.\nBoskovich said retailing can be difficult to define. Some examples of retail stores include Sears department stores, Bloomington Hardware store and Osco drug stores, he said.\nThe next SRA monthly event will be held Oct. 14, which will include a group game of laser tag. The group was organized in 1999 and has approximately 25 to 30 members. Keely Tober, vice president of membership, said the size of the group makes it easier to work one-on-one with other members.\n"We are not a huge group and therefore personal interaction and communication is very common," Tober said.\nThe club is open to new members, Boskovich said. He said it is a simple process of merely showing interest and filling out an application.\n"Members should have a desire to build their leadership skills and be interested in the retail industry," Tober said. "All majors and class levels are welcome to join."\nTheresa Williams, director of the Center for Retailing and SRA adviser, said her role in the club is to oversee the officers for each semester and ensure that the general mission of the club is maintained.\nWilliams said the club wants to find students who are interested in learning about the retailing industry and networking with company representatives.\nThe SRA hosts monthly events for members. During many of these meetings, members meet with company representatives who speak with them about retailing.\n"We have very fun events that allow students to network with retail recruiters and meet their peers to discuss the retail industry profession," Tober said. "We have gone bowling, rock climbing and (played) laser tag. Every spring we hold a flag football tournament that all the major retail recruiters participate in."\nBoskovich said participating in club events is enjoyable, not a chore.\n"I do not like to think of it as a time commitment, rather a commitment to improving your resume, networking skills, and career prospects," he said.\nTober said the SRA has helped her develop many important skills that she will carry with her in her future career.\n"The club has helped me build leadership skills and network with some of the top retail recruiters," Tober said. "It's important to remember that the retail industry includes all aspects of business and is a very alluring industry."\nBoskovich agrees, saying the skills can carry over into many fields.\n"It has improved not only my skills in networking and time management, but also communication and delegation responsibilities involved with everyday operational activities," Boskovich said.\nTober said it is imperative to join a club that is interesting. It helps members meet new people with similar interests.\n"I think it's important to be involved in things, not only to put on your resume, but to build skills and find out what is interesting to you," Tober said. "If anyone is considering working in the retail industry, this is a club that will help you build relationships with recruiters as well as help you gain the skills you need to be involved in this industry." \nBoskovich said not only has the SRA taught him how to interact and work in the business world, it has also showed him what skills he needs to proceed in such a profession.\n"Most people working in a business environment will have to meet new people everyday. A person needs the appropriate skills to properly present themselves and the company they are representing in a creative and professional way," Boskovich said. "The interaction with my officers, members, and recruiters has prepared me to do this more effectively."\nFor those who are interested in joining the SRA, there is an SRA bulletin board on the third floor of the Kelley School of Business. \n-- Contact staff writer Dana Sands at dsands@indiana.edu