Meet Marcus Riggs. He is a senior at Georgia State University and graduated from the Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) summer internship program earlier this month.
“I learned a lot about how the retail industry works from the inside and out,” Riggs said. “Not only did I get to meet people from BRAG, but there was a huge networking hub where I was able to make connections with other people in the industry.”
BRAG is a non-profit organization that assists students of color in developing careers in the retail and fashion industry. They offer a one-week orientation where students are educated through seminars, workshops, and classes followed by several opportunities to meet with professionals in the field.
In addition to the internship program, BRAG also offers scholarships for full-time students entering or already enrolled in college who plan to pursue a career in retail.
After being accepted for the internship program, Riggs says he gained a great deal of experience.
“Many people hear the word ‘black’ in the name and assume BRAG is only for African Americans but it’s really good for all minorities entering the retail world,” Riggs said.
A senator of the Robinson College of Business Student Government Association and member of the 1913 Society of Presidential Ambassadors, Riggs is also part of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Inc. The organization is dedicated to providing business students with an environment where they can discover new opportunities to develop skills on a professional level.
“My biggest obstacles were the case studies we were required to do. We had to come up with a company and build it from the ground up. It was challenging and time consuming but worth it because it kept my mind going through the summer,” Riggs said.
The internship program lasts for ten weeks and students are encouraged to apply.
According to the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the BRAG scholarship fund has been helping students pay for college for more than two decades, assisting not only black students, but all minority students as well.
Internship and scholarship applications are currently being accepted. Students who are interested can apply at the BRAG website www.bragusa.org.
