At Target, our team is at the heart of our strategy, and one of the things that sets our business apart. We aim to support our team at all stages of their career journey, providing meaningful work, experiences, and opportunities to build and develop skills.
One important way these efforts come to life: our summer intern program, offering interns the opportunity to learn alongside industry-leading peers and colleagues, shape work that makes joyful moments for guests, and explore careers at Target. This year, nearly 600 interns are making their mark on projects across our business (think everything from inventory analysis to team leadership and more), working with a mentor and learning from Target leaders to grow their skills and create lasting connections.
Continue on to meet a few of our interns who are on the job with our store, supply chain and HQ teams and learn about their experience so far.
As a stores executive intern, Gabby C. is learning how to be a leader in our stores while also gaining insight into driving the guest experience and impacting her store’s financial, team and operational performance.
What are some skills you’re building during your internship?
I definitely feel like my communication and business assessment skills have been strengthened. I’m getting a strong foundation in Target operations, which is helping me become an expert in my department. I also feel like Target is introducing me to situations that are helping me hone my management and leadership skills.
Tell us about your mentor and how they’ve supported you.
Working with my mentor has been a combination of curiosity, encouragement and accountability. My mentor continuously takes opportunities to immerse me further in Target’s culture and encourages me to utilize my past experience while still expanding my knowledge.
As an operations intern, Josue D. has the opportunity to motivate and influence a team to solve global management challenges and increase Target’s supply chain efficiency.
How is your time at Target helping you progress toward your career goals?
This internship has given me a chance to sharpen my soft skills, which is hard to do with just college classes alone. Things like interacting with the team, managing conflict, problem solving, resilience — these skills aren’t just useful at any job, they’re also really helpful in everyday life.
Have you received advice during your internship that’s stuck with you?
Some advice that’s stuck with me is to be consistent and aim to be a leader who follows your word. It’s such an important way to build trust with your team.
As an inventory analyst intern, Kakoli B. is assessing how we work to deliver products to our guests while gaining experience in negotiating and maintaining business relationships with our vendor partners around the world.
What have you noticed about the culture at Target?
Everyone is so open and welcomes collaboration. I think that’s allowed me to connect with colleagues and feel comfortable sharing my ideas.
How do you see your time as an intern benefitting you in the future?
During my time here I’ve had opportunities to expand both my personal and professional networks. It’s also been great to learn from the experienced leaders on my team, and they’ve offered guidance every step of the way.
Set up for success
Providing memorable experiences that allow our interns to learn about careers at Target is a key focus of our program, and this year’s interns recently had the chance to hear from a panel of Target leaders who touched on everything from the early days of their careers (fun fact: both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Michael Fiddelke and Chief Guest Experience Officer Cara Sylvester started as Target interns) to advice for the future.
Michael Fiddelke offered advice to the intern group when asked what tips he’d give his younger self about navigating his career:
“Soak up all you can learn from the place you’re in — that’s true of an internship and as you move through your career,” says Michael. “It’s easy to get focused on what’s next, but don’t take now for granted.”
Soak up all you can learn from the place you’re in — that’s true of an internship and as you move through your career.
Feeling inspired?
Learn more about internships and careers at Target by checking out our Internships & Entry Level-Programs and Careers resources, including our benefits, culture and interview tips.
