Sara Lee Branded Apparel (SLBA) Internship
Amaris Delli Santi, Senior, Textile and Apparel Management

I am a senior at NC State College of Textiles and an Eli Whitney Scholar pursuing a dual degree in Textile and Apparel Management, and Multi-Disciplinary Studies with a concentration in Latin America. The Eli Whitney Scholar Program has provided a broader program with a focus on the culture and business practices in the selected region.

This past summer, I obtained a marketing internship with Sara Lee Branded Apparel (SLBA). This internship, part of the Customer Management Group, was under the direction of Cindy Johnson, Marketing Manager for the Target Team. I was able to work directly with the sales representatives and analysts for the Target team, and with the customer management group for Wal*Mart and Kmart. The summer project was compiling a Circular Ad Analysis for SLBA for FY ’03. The experiences included tracking the sales units and dollars percent lift during the sale week, in comparison to sales units and dollars two weeks prior and post sale. The most interesting and creative part of my summer was assisting Cindy Johnson in collaboration with Competitive Edge in creating the design graphics for the Holiday Men’s’ underwear packaging, graphics for proposed circular advertisements, and graphics for the Hanes Men’s Premium Underwear board inserts.

Cindy Johnson, SLBA Marketing Manager for Project Team and Amaris Delli Santi, Senior Textile and Apparel Management

Working with SLBA has helped strengthen class projects, as well as develop a network of industry personnel. I learned more about the areas of marketing, forecasting, and sourcing, as well as the creative challenges and opportunities for the global apparel industry This Holiday season, I will be returning to Winston-Salem to complete a brief externship with the Vision Show Room. I also had the opportunity this summer to speak with the President of the Latin America Region for Sara Lee Branded Apparel, and discussed possible future summer internships in Latin America in the areas of marketing and merchandising with SLBA’s Latin American Brands.

My summer internship with SLBA has allowed me to meet wonderful professionals and has introduced me to areas in which I would like to pursue for my future.