Kmart launches Latina Smart Internship Program.

Kmart has announced the launch of the inaugural Latina Smart internship program. Five retail-minded Latina Smart interns will be selected to participate in a 10-week paid summer internship at Sears Holdings corporate headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Interns will gain on-the-job experience, develop industry connections and receive mentorship and career development counseling throughout the program.

Latina Smart interns will document their journey in real time via Latina Smart social media channels as they shadow a series of departments and job functions to gain an understanding of the retail process from business strategy and merchandising to store execution and customer experience. During the 10-week program, interns will be given the opportunity to contribute to vendor negotiations, participate in advertising and promotional planning, work on public relations and marketing activations and perform financial analysis.

“Kmart embraces the opportunity to support the ambitions of our diverse community,” said Andrew Stein, interim chief marketing officer, Kmart. “Through the Latina Smart internship program, we aim to empower young Hispanic women looking to enter the competitive workforce by providing professional advancement opportunities that will bridge the gap between education and experience.”

Established in 2011, the Latina Smart initiative was designed to serve as an online community dedicated to empowering Hispanic women. In its introductory year, the program created a scholarship fund that awarded $25,000 in tuition assistance to graduating high school seniors and post-secondary students. Building from this momentum, the Latina Smart program works to continue providing unique opportunities for Kmart’s diverse customer.