KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee students are invited to learn about a career in retail and consumer sciences from UT alumni who work at some of the major retailers around the country.

The Alumni and Career Exploration Day will be held from 9:40 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, in the University Center. The event is organized by the retail and consumer sciences program of the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.

Graduates working in buying, management, allocation, planning and small business ownership will talk to students about their careers and how students can follow a similar path. Some of the companies represented include Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Walgreens, Chico’s, Kroger and Target.

Students should register to attend by sending an e-mail to rhtm@utk.edu.

A welcome and introductions of alumni will start the event at 9:40 a.m. in the UC Shiloh Room.

Break-out sessions of 30 minutes each will be held from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 11:45 to 12:15 p.m. The sessions will cover topics such as allocation and planning, sales management, retail management and entrepreneurship to be led by alumni.

“The opportunities are plentiful and exciting in the retail industry, and we want our students to get first hand knowledge from former students,” said Lucy Simpson, internship coordinator in retail and consumer sciences and organizer of the event. “This is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the retailing industry and the retail and consumer sciences major at UT.”

A major in retail and consumer sciences features a required internship and strong mentoring and advising by faculty. The program has an advisory board with representatives from Crate & Barrel, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Goody’s, Kroger, Jewelry TV and Pilot Travel Centers.

All students are invited to attend the event. More information is available at http://rhtm.utk.edu.

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Contacts:

Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu

Lucy Simpson, (865) 974-6242, lsimpso7@utk.edu

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