Summer Intern Profile Series: A Conversation with Emma Evans

Welcome back to our Summer 2024 Intern Profile Series. We are delighted to introduce you to our interns who have recently joined the J.Jill family and are instrumental in supporting our vision to live in a world where the totality of every woman is seen, valued, and celebrated.

Today, we would like to introduce you to our Store Operations Intern, Emma Evans! Emma is a rising senior at Fairfield University and is part of the Honors Program. She is pursuing a major in Psychology and a double minor in Communications and Applied Statistics. Her experience in retail, interest in data analysis and effective communication make her a valuable addition to our team.

J.Jill: Welcome to the J.Jill family, Emma! Thank you for meeting with us today. To start things off, what attracted you to J.Jill and what do you love most about being here?

Emma: Hi, thank you so much for having me! When I was applying for internships, J.Jill stood out to me as a respected and familiar brand. As I researched the company further, I noticed its commitment to inclusivity, focus on each customer, and involvement with the Compassion Fund, which all made me excited about the opportunity to work here.

Since starting, I have loved meeting everyone, from my Store Operations team to the other interns and managers during store visits. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed learning more about store operations and gaining a deeper understanding of J.Jill as a company.

J.Jill: We’re elated to have you be a part of the Store Operations teams! Can you paint a picture of what a day in your role looks like? Is there anything that people might not realize about your day-to-day?

Emma: A typical day as an intern working in Store Operations involves meeting with my team to discuss and analyze business insights and recap each week’s performance compared to previous periods. I also participate in meetings related to communicating information to our retail stores.

The Store operations team and I will often go and conduct store visits which help me to observe firsthand what’s happening on the sales floor and identify successes and areas for improvement. When I am not working on store operations, I collaborate with fellow interns on our cross functional summer intern project.

One thing people may not realize is how involved and valued the interns are. Interns are often viewed as just helping hands, but J.Jill, they appreciate and value our input, actively seek out our fresh perspectives.

J.Jill: That’s great to hear; it sounds like your internship has been truly immersive and rewarding! Are there any projects that you are looking forward to working on during your time at J.Jill?

Emma: One project I’m excited about is the summer intern project. It’s been fun to collaborate with interns from other departments, allowing us to combine our unique expertise and experiences. Within the Store Operations team, one of my main projects is to observe the current operational communications and identify ways to simplify communications. The goal is to make communication more seamless and reduce the potential for miscommunication.

J.Jill: We look forward to seeing what you and the other interns come up with for the summer project! Is there anyone at J.Jill that inspires you?

Emma: My team! The Store Operations team constantly supports and challenges me, creating an environment where I can grow and develop my skills. Their guidance has been invaluable, and their willingness to invest time in my internship experience has made it truly enriching.

J.Jill: Our Store Operations team is amazing; they truly help shape the J.Jill customer experience. Can you describe how you have grown professionally since you have started working here?

Emma: Since starting at J.Jill, I have gotten a better understanding of store ?operations and communications. Throughout the past few weeks here, I’ve learned how to analyze business insights and assess weekly performance metrics, which have not only enhanced my analytical skills but also deepened my understanding of retail dynamics. Being at J.Jill introduced me to a diverse range of people, allowing me to broaden my professional network. Looking ahead, I’m eager to further develop my skills in enhancing operational communications and gain more hands-on experience through our summer intern project.

J.Jill: There are endless opportunities to continue to learn and grow! Everyone in our J.Jill family wants to see you learn and succeed. Can you share the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Emma: The best piece of career advice I have received is to be curious. As an intern, this advice has been crucial in encouraging me to ask questions, seek out new opportunities, and explore various aspects of the company. Being curious has allowed me to dive deeper into my projects, understand the ‘why’ behind them, and actively contribute to team discussions.

J.Jill: Your curiosity is inspiring! Keep nurturing it, as it is a quality that will undoubtedly fuel your success here at J.Jill but also in your future endeavors. Finally, what advice would you offer someone interested in joining J.Jill? What about getting into your line of work?

Emma: If you’re interested in joining J.Jill, my advice would be to familiarize yourself with the company’s values and culture. Understanding how J.Jill prioritizes customer focus and inclusivity will provide you with a solid foundation.

In terms of getting into store operations, I recommend gaining a good understanding of retail dynamics and operational processes. Seek out opportunities to develop analytical skills, as they are crucial in assessing business performance. Additionally, reaching out and speaking with individuals in the field can provide valuable insights and guidance.

Thank you, Emma, for joining us today and speaking about your experiences! To our readers, join us next week where we will be speaking with J.Jill’s Creative Intern, Griffin Yarmaloff.