NRFSA Connects WGU Students to Retail Opportunities
Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector industry, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than 1 in 4 jobs in the U.S. In its modern form, retail is as much about supply chain, operations management, human resources, accounting, finance and technology as it is about merchandising, sales and marketing and includes high-paying career opportunities.
These are only a few of the reasons why the WGU School of Business has launched the WGU Chapter of the NRF Foundation Student Association (NRFSA) for WGU School of Business students.
WGU students interested in joining NRFSA can learn more here.
What is NRFSA?
NRFSA, an arm of the National Retail Federation (NRF), provides business students interested in retail careers with unique educational and scholarship programs, networking opportunities and access to the latest industry news and research.
Dr. Maria Malayter, instructor for WGU’s degree in supply chain and operations management and member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, serves as co-faculty adviser for the WGU NRFSA Chapter. She particularly appreciates the employer connections students can make as members of the chapter.
The NRF Foundation holds virtual events with employers to connect more students to successful individuals with real-world insights about their careers. Recently, through WGU’s Employer Engagement and Corporate Partnerships team, students had the opportunity to meet Foot Locker Vice President of Supply Chain Operations Devon Persons.
“It is my hope that students will find new career opportunities and learn more about the wide range of careers within the retail industry. There are also opportunities to build their professional networks and enhance skills through the various activities hosted by the WGU NRFSA Chapter,” Malayter said. “Students will also have opportunities to learn more about their industry at a much deeper level, which will ultimately help them advance their careers.”
Co-faculty adviser David Hassen is a program mentor for the WGU School of Business. He mentors students across accounting, finance, and supply chain and operations management, helping them connect academic learning with industry expectations and professional pathways.
“I hope students gain a strong sense of belonging, confidence and professional identity within the retail industry through NRFSA,” Hassen said. “Ultimately, I want students to leave NRFSA feeling empowered, supported and prepared to grow and lead within the retail profession.”
Student Leaders Support NRFSA
Taylor Zobel is a WGU student serving as president of the student chapter. She’s earning a bachelor’s degree in supply chain and operations management while also working as a production planner at GAF, a roofing and waterproofing manufacturer.
“It’s important to me to be part of this chapter because I want to be able to help other students succeed and flourish,” Zobel said. “With this chapter, students can gain valuable networking opportunities to advance their careers, as well as learn how retail and supply chain works.”
WGU student Jazmin Jones is the student ambassador for the chapter. She’s earning a bachelor’s degree in supply chain and operations management while working full-time as a manufacturing production manager.
In this role, Jones is a liaison between the organization and the student community, promoting the chapter, encouraging student involvement and sharing information about events, resources and career focused opportunities.
Jazmin Jones
Taylor Zobel
“It is important for me to be part of this student chapter because it creates a meaningful bridge between academic learning and real-world industry engagement,” Jones said. “As a student and employee in supply chain and operations management, I wanted to be involved in something that goes beyond traditional bounds of building professional connections with the capability to gain industry insight and develop leadership skills.”
Jones envisions the chapter as a pathway to empower students to be more confident, informed and prepared as they transition into their careers. “I wanted to play an active role in helping make that possible,” she said.
Who Can Join the NRFSA?
All WGU School of Business students are eligible to become NRFSA members in the WGU student chapter. Through the association, students can explore diverse career paths in the retail industry and access exclusive educational and employment opportunities.
NRFSA members can sign up for exclusive networking groups and attend events with NRF retail members and recruiters. Connecting college and university students from more than 120 universities with roles in the retail industry, NRF Foundation Campus programs launch careers, host virtual and in-person events and provide more than $650,000 in scholarships each year.
