ROGERS -- There's more to working in the retail industry than stocking shelves and bagging groceries, as some Heritage High School students are learning this month.
A series of presentations arranged by Northwest Arkansas Community College is giving 35 students a chance to hear firsthand from two dozen retail professionals about career opportunities.
Two professionals at a time discuss what they do, how they got to where they are and answer questions.
College officials hope the free workshops will entice the students to enroll in the Junior Merchant Program, which the college plans to launch this fall.
The two-year program consists of nine concurrent classes. Students who complete it will receive 15 college credit hours and another 12 "career credit" hours counting toward an associate degree of applied science in retail, which requires 60 credit hours to obtain.
Lisa Binger, senior director of supplier services at Walmart, stood at the front of a high school classroom Wednesday, explaining her department's role in helping shepherd products to store shelves.
She described her team as the company's Shark Tank, referring to the reality television show in which people pitch product ideas to a panel of investors.
"My team looks at that product and says, is this a potential product for our company, yes or no," she said. She added they would be amazed at the kinds of product pitches people make.
Supplier services, she said, also works to streamline communication with suppliers so they're not bombarded with requests from various departments, such as legal, compliance and sustainability.
Binger encouraged students to try the Junior Merchant Program.
"You will get a lot out of it. You will come out of high school with more knowledge about retail and the industry. It isn't about Walmart. It's about the whole retail ecosystem," she said.
Derek Ridenoure told students about his early days working in radio and television before going to work for Walmart. Over the next 15 years, he traveled to 45 states and 12 countries setting up stores and training associates how to run stores.
He eventually moved to the supplier side and is now national account manager for C.F. Sauer Co., which specializes in extracts, flavorings and condiments.
"I work from my house, and I sell mayonnaise and spices, and I have Walmart, Sam's Club and Sam's Mexico. So I have to go to Mexico City about three times a year and meet with the buyers down there, which is a completely different world than it is here," he said.
Aidan Cantele, a senior, attended his first workshop Wednesday because he was out of town for the first two.
"I am definitely enjoying it so far," Cantele said. "I love the guest speakers. I really wasn't sure what I was coming into, but I'm glad I went."
The workshops meet during Eagle period, a 40-minute block occurring three times a week. Eagle period allows time for students who need it to get help with academic work. Others may use the time to listen to guest speakers or attend a study session.
Students don't receive any course credit for attending the workshops, though they will receive a certificate of completion and a goody bag with some items from the college, according to Teresa Warren, director of retail and supplier education at the college.
A few parents approached college officials last fall about setting up some kind of program to help students better understand the career paths available in retail, Warren said.
That led to the workshops and the college had about twice as many industry volunteers as there were slots available, Warren said.
Walmart, Coca-Cola, Nestle and DreamWorks Animation are some of the companies sending representatives.
"Almost every person I have talked to has said, 'I don't know why no one thought about this before,'" Warren said.
Warren expects the workshops to eventually be offered at other high schools, but students from any local high school may enroll in the Junior Merchant Program at the college.
Heritage students will be able to take some of the courses at their school. It's unclear yet whether transportation to the college for other courses will be provided, Warren said.
"We've got some things to work out between now and August," she said. "But this whole thing has been moving extremely rapidly in a very short window. The very first conversation started in November."
The college would need a minimum of 16 students to have the program this fall, she said. Even if students go through the program and don't pursue a retail career, the problem-solving and critical thinking skills they acquire will help them no matter what they do, Warren said.
The curriculum resulted from conversations with community members and leaders from school districts and the college, said Megan Bolinder, dean of workforce and economic development at the college.
Hundreds of Northwest Arkansas high school students participate each year in the college's Early College Experience, taking classes either on the college campus or from qualified instructors who teach at their high schools.
Metro on 04/08/2019