MEMORANDUM

To:

Megan Even

From:

Robyn Siewert

Date:

September 27, 2016

Subject:

Unit 2 Memorandum

Part 1
1. Swanson Health Products Merchandising Intern
I am working toward a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I have
excellent written and verbal communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft
Word and Excel. I have an attention to detail and excellent organizational
skills. I am able to work in a fast paced environment with deadlines and
produce quality work.
2. Nestle Purina PetCare Company Marketing Internship
I can pursue my MBA if I wish to. I can be available for 12 weeks during the
summer.
3. Bachmans HR Intern
My major is Business Administration. I have organization, prioritization and
communication skills and am knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite. I have
had to keep information confidential at previous jobs. I am detail oriented
and able to meet deadlines
4. Target Stores Executive Intern
I am working toward a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I like to
collaborate with others and lead teams. I will be taking several management
courses.
5. Kohls Department Stores Store Management Internship
My major is Business Administration. I have analytical and critical thinking
skills. I enjoy working as part of a team and have strong interpersonal and
communication skills.

Part 2
In my research I found several interesting pieces of information about both
Bachmans, a floral shop and landscaping company, and Kohls, a department store.
I learned that both companies have roots in the Upper Midwest, which is something
that is very important to me as I am from Minnesota. Both companies are
continuously growing and expanding to new locations. Over 50 years ago Kohls had
only one location in Wisconsin; today they have over one thousand stores across
the country and an online shopping website. Bachmans has diversified its product
since its beginnings in the late nineteenth century and have recently expanded into
markets in Lunds and Byerlys grocery stores in the Twin Cities metro area. I
learned that Bachmans has been a family owned company throughout its history. I
also learned that Kohls is a lot more laid back than I had previously thought, just

based on the language that they use on their website. Kohls is a lot more customer
oriented than Bachmans according to what I found in my research. Though
Bachmans cares about the customer they have more information about their
services and products. Kohls on the other hand, is always trying to improve their
customers shopping experiences in a number of ways. (See Table 1)
Table 1
Bachmans
The company is continuously growing.
With increased demand for their product
they are expanding their greenhouses
and product line.
Family owned company. Today the
company is still in the Bachman family.
Quite employee oriented.
The company is based out of the Twin
Cities/metro area of Minnesota.

Kohls Department Stores

The customer is incredibly important to
the company. They are constantly trying
to improve upon customers shopping
experiences.
They are still growing and innovating. In
just over 50 years they have gone from
one store to over one thousand stores
across America.
Employees are highly valued by the
company. Teamwork is integral. They
promote development of all employees.
The company is based out of Wisconsin.

Part 3
If I were applying to a position at Bachmans or Kohls my resume would be nearly
identical. One difference however, if I were to apply for the internship at Bachmans
I would include my employment at the pharmacy I worked at. Even though this
position is further back in time, it shows that I kept confidential information, which
is one of the job requirements for the position available. I would also make sure to
include that I am knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite.
If I were writing a cover letter for a position at Bachmans I would talk about the
time I spent in the garden with my mother when I was younger, since they are a
family owned floral and landscaping company. However, if I were writing a cover
letter for a position at Kohls I would not mention this as it is not relevant to retail
merchandising. If I were to apply to Kohls I would talk about my past work
experiences involving critical thinking skills, whereas for Bachmans I would talk
about my work experience in which I had to keep information confidential.
I would most like to work for Kohls Department Stores. The company is based out
of Wisconsin, and since I am from Minnesota I would like to work for a Midwest
based company and be able to stay in the region. My family has shopped at Kohls
for a very long time, so I have a personal connection to the company and know
more about it in that way. I also like that the company clearly states that they care
about both their customers and employees.

Part 4
In the job posting for a Store Management Internship with Kohls Department
Stores there are several preferred qualifications listed. One of these credentials is
the possession of strong analytical and critical thinking skills. I have demonstrated
these skills throughout my time in school and in my previous work experience. For
instance, several times at my summer job I was given the task of analyzing
production procedures for certain products that the company makes and find places
to save money. Every time I was given this task I came up with several options and
found the best solution that was them approved by my supervisors and the
company engineers. Another qualification that applicants should have for this
position is strong interpersonal and leadership skills. I demonstrated these skills in
high school while participating in a small team in the extracurricular organization
Business Professionals of America. Additionally, at every job I have held, both paid
positions and volunteer work, I have worked well with a team and have found
myself taking on leadership roles within those teams. The third preferred
qualification is to have strong verbal and written communication skills. While
working at NDSU Calls from Campus I developed excellent phone and conversation
skills. Also, I frequently email colleagues and professors in a professional manner.
Additional credentials for all applicants are the ability and drive to develop retail
business knowledge. I am able to learn new material quickly and retail business is
something I am very interested in knowing more about, as I may one day own my
own small retail business. The last qualification in the advertisement is the ability to
work with a team and interact effectively with others. I have to do this on a daily
basis at my current job at West Dining Center and have to work in similar teams to
complete projects for various classes. (See Table 2)
Table 2
Job Requirements
Strong analytical and critical thinking
skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership
skills
Strong verbal and written
communication skills

Ability and drive to develop retail

business knowledge
Ability to work as a team and interact
effectively with others

Experience
At my summer job I have been given the
task of devising ways to save the
company by improving upon current
production procedures
At every job I have held (both paid
positions and volunteer work) I work
well with a small team and often find
myself taking on the leadership roles
I frequently email my colleagues and
professors
While working at the call center I
developed excellent phone skills
I am able to learn new information
quickly and would like more information
about retail business as I might one day
own my own retail business
I work as part of a small team at my
current job as well as my summer job

I would be a benefit to Kohls Department Stores for a number of reasons. The first
reason is that I enjoy working as part of a team and would love to be part of a
growing company. Secondly, I love the opportunity to solve problems for others
that require me to think about numerous possible solutions and pick the best one.
Third, I like to communicate with others (face-to-face, email or telephone) and
accept leadership responsibilities. Finally, I would love the opportunity to learn
about retail business and help Kohls run efficiently.

Works Cited
Kohls Corporation (n.d.) Store Management Internship. Retrieved from
https://ndsucsm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=ca8df2795848da45
606476c999e43745&s=jobs&ss=jobmatches
Target Corporation (n.d.) Stores Executive Intern. Retrieved from
https://ndsucsm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=bedbae3e131ae229
509ac8a28eed3732&s=jobs&ss=jobmatches
Bachmans, Inc. (Sept. 9, 2016) HR Intern. Retrieved from https://ndsucsm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=10cb4a4cef8e37cb
86ec0b65da1b01c2&s=jobs&ss=jobmatches
Nestle Purina PetCare Company (Sept. 19, 2016) Marketing Internship
(Summer 2016). Retrieved from https://ndsucsm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=a2418c58476f69ad
0d0fdc97f6ed7a0d&s=jobs&ss=jobmatches
Swanson Health Products (Sept. 22, 2016) Category Merchandising Intern.
Retrieved from https://ndsucsm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=d8d4e267ec0ccab9
c381e7e6a69e238d&s=jobs&ss=jobmatches
Kohls Company Research Report (n.d.) History. Retrieved from
http://kohlscompanyresearchreport.weebly.com/history.html
Kohls Corporation (n.d.) Purposes & Values. Retrieved from
https://corporate.kohls.com/company/purpose-and-values
Bachmans, Inc. (n.d.) History. Retrieved from
http://www.bachmans.com/Bachman's-History/storelocator.html?cnb=BACHMANSHISTORY

Bachmans, Inc. (n.d.) Company Overview of Bachmans, Inc. Retrieved

from
http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId
=871785

Appendix
STORE MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP
Kohls Department Stores
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Store Management Internship Program is designed to give you the knowledge
and experience needed to explore what an exciting career in retail management is
all about. Our Training Program consists of the following: computer based training,
hands-on sales floor training, executive development, and exposure to all areas of
the Store. Primary responsibilities include:
Full Time career opportunities upon successful completion of the Internship
Program
Competitive wages
Exposure to Senior Level Management; including District and Regional Managers
Mentorship Program with former Interns
Hands-on experience with In-Store Merchandising, Management Development,
Sales, Store
Operations, Scheduling, Payroll, and Human Resources
Opportunity to visit and analyze the competition
Continuous performance feedback
Preferred Qualifications
Strong analytical skills
Superior critical thinking skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability and drive to develop retail business knowledge
Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively with others
Internship Experience
8 Week Paid Internship
Training Classes
Final Store Walk with the District Manager
Senior Level Exposure
Part of the management team
Learn principles to run a successful retail business
Location

United States (Nationwide)

Job Status
Full-time
Job Function
Management
Salary Level
$14.50- $15.40
Period of Employment
Summer
Desired Major(s)
Management, Management Communication, Marketing, Apparel, Retail
Merchandising and Design, Business Administration, Strategic Communication,
University Studies
Degree Level Seeking
Bachelors
We plan to attend the following career fair(s) and invite you to visit our booth:
Business Internship & Career Expo