Summer Intern Profile Series: Meet Shinjini!

In our previous Summer Intern Profile, you were introduced to Analise Colon, J.Jill’s Design Intern. In our final intern profile, we’re bringing you along to meet Shinjini Agarwal, J.Jill’s Sourcing Intern.

Shinjini is attending Auburn University where she is completing a two-year Master’s program in Consumer and Design Sciences, and her undergraduate degree is in Fashion Merchandising. While at J.Jill, her main projects have consisted of reviewing shipping notices and WIP reports to learn production timing and communicate any potential delays, analyzing garment cost breakdowns, and attending cross-functional Line in Process meetings to understand how garments are developed.

So, what interested Shinjini in interning within Sourcing at J.Jill? “The cross-functional structure of the program with the opportunity to experience the company culture were the primary factors in my decision,” Shinjini said. “Whether it was Lunch and Learns with the J.Jill executive team, or a visit to our Distribution and Contact Centers, as well as our stores, I’ve been able to learn a great deal about J.Jill’s Sourcing Department and its functions during my time here,” Shinjini said.

What’s it been like for Shinjini interning at J.Jill? “My typical day as a Sourcing intern consists of working on different data analysis projects,” Shinjini shared. She further explained main projects she has worked on included fabric history analysis, comparative analysis of vendors by volume, and blended cost analysis. “These projects have been very insightful, and sparked some great conversations within the team,” Shinjini noted. She also had the opportunity to work on product lifecycle management and has helped the team set up quotes for upcoming seasons, all while attending various meetings within QA, Compliance, Planning, and Merchandising to get a better sense of the roles within these teams. Lastly, Shinjini shared that she has had the opportunity to truly understand the cycle from concept to consumer. “I’ve been able to experience the design presentation, assortment planning, fitting QA sample evaluations, allocation, and vendor interactions, and then the visit to the Distribution Center really showed me the cycle completed,” she said.

Closing out our interview, Shinjini said that while at J.Jill, she has really enjoyed working with people who are so passionate about the brand. She mentioned her appreciation for the team that made the Welcome Everybody campaign possible, and noted “this makes me really excited about the future of J.Jill.” When I asked her about the best career advice she has received so far, she said, “Networking! Every person I have spoken to swears by the power of good connections,” Shinjini stated. For those looking to pursue a career in Sourcing, Shinjini added, “While I am still trying to figure it all out, I stick to my philosophy which is to keep doing things that make your younger self proud.”

While this concludes our series on internship profiles, in our final post you will hear about the intern’s final cross-functional project. Stay tuned!