The freshly-minted 2017 Digital Retailing degrees were handed out this past Saturday and we’ve proudly sent another set of bright minds out to make a difference in the eCommerce industry. But our work is never done, and right behind these digitally-savvy graduates is the next group of students, eager to learn about their own career opportunities. Because digital retail is constantly changing, so must our program in order to remain at the forefront. So I’m excited we’ve added a new course I’ve called our ‘Digital Study Tour’. I’m heading out Sunday, taking a group of students to leading eCommerce and digital corporate locations along the West coast.
Our journey begins with a one-way flight from Dallas to Seattle. First up on our agenda is a little local culture including the Seattle Space Needle, Chihuly Glass Garden and Pike Place Market. We’ll also be making a little side trip to Amazon’s bookstore in University Village. Next we’re off to the corporate headquarters of Amazon, then we’re headed over to Nordstrom HQ. No trip to Seattle would be complete for passionate retailers like us without a visit to the newly renovated Nordstrom flagship store on Pine Street.
We’re up bright and early day three, luggage in tow and headed to the train station, where we’re booked on the Amtrak 501, destination Portland, Oregon. It’s not quite the Hogwarts Express, but I’m sure the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape will be just as magical and the adventure of train travel will be a new experience for many. Upon arrival in Portland, it’s a quick lunch in town followed by a visit to Nike’s headquarters. After soaking up some knowledge about these continual innovators, we’re headed to the airport and south to San Francisco. The adventurous day will end with a moonlit visit to the Golden Gate Bridge and a good night’s sleep.
Next, our itinerary takes us to the Walmart.com eCommerce hub located in San Bruno, lunch on their campus and then we’re headed back up north to the Macys.com offices. We have one of our December graduates working there, as well as a summer intern, so maybe we’ll see some familiar faces. That evening, we’re off to Fisherman’s Wharf to experience true local seafood and the fresh Pacific Ocean air. The final day of our trip wraps up with a first stop at Google headquarters. Then we’re off to Facebook for lunch on their campus and the chance to experience what it would be like to work in the Silicon Valley.
It’s an action-packed agenda and we’re all anticipating some impactful experiences. The students will be documenting the trip, with outputs of a video travel diary, so everyone can have a peak through their eyes at the numerous digital retail job opportunities awaiting them in their very near futures.
Read our UNT Digital Study Tour press release.