Right on Target

Andrea Leuken, the store manager of the Falls Church Target branch, spoke to the Smith School Women's Society last Wednesday.  She discussed Target's summer internship program and dispelled some common myths about working in a retailer after college.

            Andrea has been working for Target for seven years.  She began her post collegiate career as a desk jockey, but got bored of her position and went to work at a Target branch, where she rose through the ranks and became the store manager of one of the corporation's busiest branches.

            Andrea spent a large portion of her time at the meeting talking about Target's summer internship program, encouraging the students in the audience to apply.  She said it was an excellent way to build a good reputation with the managers at the store and turn the position into a full-time job after graduation.

            Andrea also mentioned some of her experiences, detailing what is like to manage a large retail store.  She said that the job is very fast paced, with a lot tasks that need to be completed each day.

            "You have to get X, Y, and Z done before the store closes and you have limited resources with which to do them." she told the audience.  "Multitasking skills are essential if you want to succeed."

            Despite the job's hectic pace, Andrea said that she loves being a store manager.  She said that there is no monotony at her work, something is always going on, which makes work very exciting.

            Andrea's speech impressed a few of the Smith School Women's Society members, who said that they would definitely look into applying for Target's summer internship program.

            "I would love to have a job like that." said Freshman Letters and Sciences major Kim Verley.