Hope Collins gained leadership, teamwork, and problem solving skills as a management and sales intern at Buckle.
How did you get your internship?
I found my internship with Buckle through a posting on LinkedIn. I knew I wanted to do something related to marketing and sales, so when I came across the position at Buckle, it immediately caught my attention. I was also already familiar with the store since I shop there often, which made me excited to apply. After submitting my application, I received a call from the store manager about a week later to schedule an interview. After the interview, I received another call after another week offering me the internship, which I was happy to accept.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose Buckle for my internship because I was already familiar with the store and loved shopping there. The energy and enthusiasm of the staff always stood out to me—they were friendly, engaging, and excited to do their jobs every time I visited. Working in a positive and engaging environment was important to me because I wanted to enjoy going to work rather than dreading it. That's exactly what Buckle provided, and I'm glad I decided to take part in this internship opportunity.
What new knowledge and skills did you practice, learn, or develop in this internship?
I learned many new skills throughout this internship, but I would say the skill I learned the most about through this experience is leadership. During the internship I took on a leadership position within our team, which taught me how to step up and lead effectively which was a different experience than just contributing as a teammate. Another essential skill I gained was communication. Whether it was coordinating who was working with specific guests on the sales floor, updating each other on projects, or handling challenging guest interactions, strong communication was important for our team success. Lastly, I developed my problem solving skills when I had to navigate difficult situations independently when the manager or other leads were not around.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
My favorite part of the internship was having the creative freedom to move products around the store and make visual merchandising changes when needed. At first this was a little nerve racking because I did not know if it looked good or if my manager would like the changes I made. Over time, I gained confidence in my choices and became comfortable making decisions. Something that was once stressful turned into something fun and exciting.
If you worked on a big project, describe it.
During my internship, I worked on a project focused on improving the rankings of a specific department or brand within the store. I chose the denim brand Hidden for my project. Over the course of eight weeks, I participated in Zoom calls with other interns from different Buckle locations. We shared updates about the department we chose, strategies we used to grow it, and our current rank status. At the start of my project, the Hidden brand was ranked 401 out of other Buckle stores. By the end of my internship, we had moved up to 300. I considered this a success since our store began receiving more Hidden denim shipments as a result of the improved rankings.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
The most challenging part of my internship was overcoming my fear of failure or being wrong. When my manager would ask for ideas on changes to the store layout or suggestions for visual merchandising, I was scared to speak up because I worried about giving the “wrong” answer. Over time, I learned that there really isn’t a single right or wrong answer in those situations—they’re just ideas. My manager encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and trust my instincts. I learned from this experience to not be afraid of new challenges and ideas but to see them as chances for personal growth.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for their internship?
My top three pieces of advice for other students would be to not be afraid to ask for help, keep an open mind, and choose something you enjoy. As interns, we’re still learning, and it’s okay to ask our mentors for guidance, that’s what they’re there for. Keeping an open mind is important because it doesn’t let your biases about a certain experience, industry, or company hold you back. Lastly, choose something you truly enjoy. If you’re excited about your internship, the work will feel more meaningful, memorable, and rewarding, making the entire experience a positive one.