Program Offers Scholarship and Collaboration Opportunities with Top Industry Executives
Arlington, VA – The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced its 2013 RILA College Student Program, offering undergraduate and masters students a scholarship to the 2013 Retail Asset Protection Conference and a competitive advantage over their peers through industry networking and best-in-class educational opportunities. Sponsoring retailers will cover students' attendance at RILA's 2013 Retail Asset Protection Conference and offer personalized education and mentoring.
The groundbreaking program affords students the opportunity to learn about asset protection from experts in the field and access to nearly 1,000 retail executive in attendance at the conference. Students will also receive a scholarship to complete the Loss Prevention Foundation's (LPF) Loss Prevention Qualified (LPQ) certification course and examination, a one-year complimentary membership to LPF and complimentary enrollment in the Academic and Retail Partnership Program that guarantees students who have earned the LPQ certification a job interview with one or more participating retailers.
"This program offers students unprecedented exposure to the retail industry and presents them with opportunities they don't get by sitting in the college classroom," said Lisa LaBruno, senior vice president of retail operations for RILA. "It's a win-win; mentors are connected to talented young people who are passionate about pursuing a career in retail and students get to showcase their skills to key decision makers at some of the largest and most progressive employers in the U.S."
In the months leading up to the Retail Asset Protection Conference, students will work with corporate and store level personnel from their mentor companies to complete a research project, culminating in a presenation during a breakout session at the conference. This year's topic is titled, "Customer Rights, Customer Service and Asset Protection in a Mobile Point-of-Sale World."
"Given the industry's focus on the risks associated with emerging POS technologies, this is a timely and relevant research project that should lead to some interesting insights," said LaBruno.
"LPF supports RILA's efforts to attract aspiring graduates into the Asset Protection/Loss Prevention profession. Their college program has evolved into a magnificent opportunity for retailers to identify talented students," said Gene Smith, president of the Loss Prevention Foundation and sponsor of the 2013 College Student Program.
Student mentors participating in the 2013 RILA College Student Program include:
- 7-Eleven, Inc.
- Abercrombie & Fitch, Co.
- Aspect Loss Prevention, a division of Verisk Crime Analytics
- Axis Communications, Inc.
- Big Lots Stores, Inc.
- Cabela's Inc.
- Dicks's Sporting Goods, Inc.
- Hart Systems, LLC
- J.C. Penny Company, Inc.
- Loss Prevention Foundation
- Lowe's Companies, Inc.
- The Home Depot, Inc.
- Walgreen Co.
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Students from University of Texas McCombs School of Business, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Mississippi College and Sam Houston State University are participating in the program.
The 2013 Retail Asset Protection Conference will take place April 28-May 1 in Orlando, FL.
RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
