Career Growth Journey of Carlina Pitello with the Corporate Retail Association
How MSU PR student, Carlina Pitello, used CRA to secure a summer 2024 internship
By: Darien McEnroe
Carlina Pitello, a Michigan State University public relations major and business and entrepreneurship minor from Lyle, Illinois, is finding herself in the world of entrepreneurship and fashion through her involvement in MSU’s Corporate Retail Association.
Majoring in PR and having an interest in fashion and retail, Pitello discovered her love for all being a part of CRA during her sophomore year. Since then, she has been elected secretary of the club where she is responsible for organizing club meetings, documenting minutes, and fostering connections with retailers, including Sun Bum, TGX, J.Crew and Abercrombie.
“The meetings are very interactive and fun; you can ask as many questions as you want to guest speakers. It is practice for talking to industry leaders at career fairs and in the real world,” said Pitello.
CRA meetings give students the opportunity to practice for professional, real-world scenarios. Meetings are held every other week for all members at the Broad Business College’s Minskoff Pavilion. Biweekly meetings offer members the chance to engage with industry professionals. On alternate weeks, the executive board plans future trips and guest speakers for the club.
For Pitello, CRA has been a huge aspect in her overall development as a student, future professional and leader. Through in person interactions with industry leaders, she says she has gained essential skills for the corporate world. In fall 2023, the club took a trip to New York City for the National Retail Federation conference, where members had the chance to talk to representatives from companies in a career fair style. There were companies such as, Lululemon, Neiman Marcus, Coach, Target and Ulta.
“It was like a huge career fair, and this is exactly how I was able to obtain my summer internship for fashion sales at Haddad Brands in New York this summer. Without CRA, I would not have been able to have this amazing internship and have the chance to live my dream of working in New York,” said Pitello.
Pitello encourages students who are looking to enter the retail industry to join CRA. With access to various opportunities, CRA serves as a gateway to a world of possibilities. From internships to networking events, this club unlocks doors that would otherwise remain closed.
For more information about the CRA, visit: http://www.msucra.com.