There is more to the retail industry, and to the University of South Carolina’s retailing program, than just fashion.

That’s why Department of Retailing Instructor Donald Pollard and Internship Director Lena Pinkston took 14 students on a day trip to North Carolina to tour the High Point Market Authority.

“The objective of this experience was simple but critical: to move learning beyond textbooks and connect academic theory directly to industry practice,” Pollard says. “For me, it is imperative that my students gain this firsthand exposure so they can truly internalize the real world expectations of their desired careers. This is why my teaching philosophy is centered on real world centric learning: it means intentionally placing students in active, immersive environments, like the Market, where they are compelled to interact directly with subject matter experts.”

The group visited furniture and antique dealers as well as artists at the Market Authority, offering a chance to take a closer look at career paths they might not have previously considered.

“After taking visual merchandising, I very much enjoyed getting to walk through the market with an idea of how the buying process would function as an interior designer,” says student Eilea Andrews. “I loved getting to connect with more professionals in the industry and see a completely new side of retail.”

Lizzie Duce agrees, adding, “The most engaging and surprising part for me was seeing how big and diverse the furniture and antique world really is. I didn’t realize there were so many different directions you could go in, from design and styling to marketing, and merchandising. It made me appreciate how much creativity and collaboration go into every piece and brand, and it definitely opened my eyes to some career paths I hadn’t thought about before.”

A space like the Market Authority (which is not open to the general public) allows time for industry professionals to pause and talk with visitors, and their willingness to do so was appreciated by the students.

“What I found most engaging from the High Point trip was being able to interact with the owners of the shops themselves and get an understanding of what their careers look like and how they work,” says Anna Lee Smith.

“Being able to talk to people who have been doing this for both a short amount of time and for a very long time helped give many different perspectives on the market and field,” adds Ella Pflueger.

Several students say the trip was not only memorable but also could have a lasting impact. 

“I always thought I’d stick to fashion, but this experience really opened my eyes to new possibilities,” says Tonazia Benson. “I could actually see myself working in the furniture side of retail, maybe as a showroom manager or a visual merchandising designer. It was such an inspiring and eye-opening experience, and I think opportunities like this are important because they help students discover new career paths they might not have considered before.”

Pollard sums up what makes trips like this worthwhile. “Stepping outside the classroom and seeing people who look like you, do what you want to do, is why representation matters, because if you can see it, you can be it.”