Catherine E. Wolf

Catherine E. Wolf
Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher
Wilson Southern Junior High School
Wilson School District
[email protected]
2008
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What is insideBerksbusiness?
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Five days of summer learning for educators in the “real world”
Matches educators and host businesses
Educator spends four days with host company observing, learning and
participating
Program culminates with a seminar for educator interns and host businesses
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Who sponsors insideBerksbusiness?
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The program is funded by the Berks Business Education Coalition and Berks
County School and is administrated by the BCIU
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information provided by Berks County Intermediate Unit
Benefits for Interns
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inside look at a Berks company or organization
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better understanding of the local employment landscape
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insight into up-to-date business practices
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exposure to modern workplace technologies
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increased awareness of the need for career preparation
relevant, first-hand experiences to enrich instruction
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$500 stipend - 40 Act 48 credit
information provided by Berks County Intermediate Unit
Benefits for Businesses
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show teachers which skills are vital to your business
market careers facing critical workforce shortages
influence the educational program
promote employment opportunities at your firm
achieve positive public relations via community outreach
finite time commitment
no fee to participate
program is funded through the generous support of the Berks Business
Education Coalition and Berks County school districts.
insideBERKSbusiness Internship
July 7-10, 2008
DAY 1 - July 7
Corporate Visual Office
1700 Duke Street
Laureldale, PA
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Introduction to Visual
Merchandising Department staff
Tour of Visual Merchandising
Department/technology
Interviews with VM staff
Staff meeting – “Back to School”
merchandising concept
Day 2 – July 8
Boscov’s East
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Execution of original
“Back to School”
merchandising concept
(not photographed)
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Pictures of revised
“Back to School” visual
merchandising (plan B)
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Plan B adopted as
visual merchandising
strategy for all stores
Day 3 – July 9
Boscov’s East
Reading, PA
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Junior’s department
before “Back to School”
merchandising
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Junior’s department after
“Back to School” visual
merchandising prototype
Day 4 – July 10 (a.m)
Boscov’s Corporate Office
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Met & interviewed Mary Kay
Dezura, Manager of Private
Label
Observed selection process
of clothing for photo layout
Participated in the selection
of colors for Spring 2009 –
Misses knit tops
Interviewed buyers from
various departments
Day 4 – July 10 (p.m.)
Boscov’s Corporate Office
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Meeting with Ed Elko, V.P. of Human Resources
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Wrap-up meeting with Rebecca Fried, Public Relations & Special
Events
Boscov’s Greatest Asset
The employees:
 Courteous
 Helpful
 Friendly
 Customer oriented
 Knowledgeable about
the product
Boscov’s Greatest Challenge
“Our customers are middle-American customers, and right now with $4 gasoline and
rising food costs, and nobody’s getting credit for new homes,” he said. “It’s put a real
damper on business across the board.”
Kenneth Lakin, Chairman & CEO, Boscov’s Reading Eagle 7/26/08
Hourly Employees
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Minimum wage w/ benefits for full-time
HS diploma
Math competency
Good communication skills
Costumer service skills
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
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College junior or senior
10-14 week internship
Hourly paid position
Experience all aspects of store operation – sales,
customer service, merchandising, store operations
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BUYERS, MANAGERS, EXECUTIVE TRAINEES
4 Year degree or combination of training/experience
$38,000 with benefits
3.0 GPA
Work experience/college extra-curricular activities
Learning agility
Problem solving skills
Passion
WORKPLACE SKILLS THAT SUCCESSFUL
STUDENTS NEED:
Business sense
Problem-solving skills
Able to accept criticism
Math & writing skills
Communication skills
Organization
Flexibility
Ability to multi-task
Being pro-active
Technology
Sincere thanks to the following wonderful
employees:
Rebecca Fried, Public Relations & Special Events
Curt Snyder, VP Visual Merchandising
Kurt German, Manager of Visual Merchandising
Scot Jumper, Visual Merchandising
Mary Kay Dezura, Manager of Private Label
Ed Elko, VP of Human Resources
Curriculum Connections
Subject Area: Family & Consumer Sciences- Fashion & Interior
Design
Grade Level: 9
Unit Title: Career Preparation
PA Academic Standards Addressed:
13.1.8G Create an individualized career plan including, such as,
but not limited to:
 Assessment and continued development of career portfolio
 Career goals
 Cluster. pathway opportunities
 Individual interests and abilities
 Training/education requirements and financing
Curriculum Connections
Activities:
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Complete interest/ability inventory using Bridges Career Center –
Choices Explorer and Ability Profiler
Identify career cluster/pathway using Bridges Career Center –
Choices Planner
Identify career goal - Bridges Career Center and Choices Planner
Complete career research using Bridges Career Center and other
library/internet resources
Career report and presentation
Complete career ladder