NRF’s Student Association (NRFSA) represents the future talent of the retail industry. With 15 top university programs participating in the association, NRFSA members represent the best of the best. Over the next few weeks, leading up to NRF’s BIG Show and the first NRFSA Annual Meeting, we’ll be featuring several students who represent the “Future Faces of Retail.”
Our first feature is Lindsay Godbout, a junior at University of Arizona. Watch out Terry Lundgren, Miss Godbout has her sights set on becoming a CEO of a major retailer.
Why do you want to work in retail? What has you most excited about this industry?
I am excited for my future career in retail, because retailers function at the epicenter of our U.S. consumer-driven economy. Retailers operate at the intersection of consumer demand and manufacturer supply, providing comprehensive insight into today’s business challenges. A career in retail offers a window into multiple business disciplines including marketing, supply-chain management, buying, business management, and a host of other activities. Finally, I find the retail industry thrilling as it is face-paced, energetic and ever-changing.
Can you share what retail experience you have so far?
I have been a Sales Associate at White House Black Market for nearly two years. My experience at WHBM has been invaluable as it has taught me sales, customer service, and the basics of store economics and management.
What are you most looking forward to at NRF’s BIG Show, and your visit to New York City?
The agenda for this year’s NRF’s BIG Show is amazing. I look forward to all of the information sessions particularly the ones involving new trends and digital retailing. I know the opportunity to listen to leading retail CEOs and other senior professionals will be both informative and rewarding. I also look forward to meeting new people and networking with other retail professionals.
What’s your dream retail job?
My eventual dream retail job is to be the CEO of a major national retailer. Obviously, that is an “eventual” dream, and I am hopeful to start my retail career in buying and planning or sourcing. I know this industry offers many opportunities as well as many challenges and I look forward to the hard work and dedication a successful career will demand.
Please share something else about your background, your experience, your achievements that we wouldn’t know.
I grew up on the East Coast in the Washington, D.C. area and was fortunate to move to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona. The U of A offers a premier Retailing and Consumer Sciences Major and houses the amazing Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing. I am currently a junior and serve as the Vice Chair of the Student Advisory Board for the Center. I am also a founding member of the U of A’s NRFSA group and the Arizona Sales and Marketing Club. I am a proud member of the Arizona Ambassadors Honorary and the U of A’s Honors College. I chose the University of Arizona because of its stellar retail program and I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and experience it has provided me.
Look for more “Future Faces of Retail” features in the coming weeks.
