Retailing major Michael Pugh has found success and become a leader by following the path at the heart of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. He has combined analytical thinking with real-world experience to better understand how businesses operate behind the scenes.

Originally from the Augusta, Georgia area, Michael chose USC after searching for a program that offered both strong skill development and meaningful opportunities for involvement, something he found in the university’s Department of Retailing and particularly the option of its concentration in retail management program. 

“I wanted a place where I could build my skills and also have opportunities to apply them. USC really offered both,” Michael says.

While many students are drawn to the fashion side of retail, Michael’s interests lie in the analytical and operational aspects of the industry. In his retail management concentration, he has focused on areas like e-commerce, data analytics, and decision-making processes that drive how products move from businesses to consumers.

“Retail isn’t just about selling products — it’s about managing data, forecasting demand, and making informed decisions,” he explains.

To strengthen this focus, he is also pursuing an undergraduate certificate in data analytics and visualization, positioning himself for a career centered on using data to improve retail performance.

Michael’s academic interests have translated directly into hands-on experience. He recently secured a competitive planning and allocation analyst internship with Burlington for this summer. He will spend this summer at the company’s corporate headquarters in New Jersey.

In this role, he will analyze which products perform best in different locations and determine how to move inventory efficiently, an experience that fits his long-term goal of working in retail analytics. 

“Everything in retail comes back to data,” he says. “It’s about using that data to improve how products reach the consumer.”

From day one on campus, Michael made involvement a priority. He joined the National Retail Federation (NRF) student association as a freshman, gaining exposure to industry professionals and career pathways. This January, he attended NRF’s national conference in New York City alongside fellow retailing students faculty. The trip included a visit to the Mastercard offices, where he saw firsthand how data drives retail strategy.

“These experiences helped me figure out what I want to do,” he says. “You learn concepts in the classroom, but seeing how they’re applied in real life is invaluable.”

Michael has also been an active member of the Retailing Student Advisory Board, where he has served as work experience chair. In this leadership role, he helps connect students with employers, shares internship opportunities, and fosters professional development within the program. 

Michael has also gained extensive industry experience working at the Masters Tournament in Augusta for four years. Starting in merchandise and later transitioning to a supply chain role, he developed a deep understanding of retail operations—from stocking and distribution to large-scale inventory allocation.

“That experience showed me how the entire process works, from getting products to the store to selling them to customers,” he said.

He also contributed to the HRSM Brand Shop initiative, working on developing an e-commerce platform for college-branded merchandise — another opportunity to apply his interest in digital retail and operations.

Set to graduate in December, Michael plans to pursue a career in retail analytics, where he can continue working with data to improve business processes and customer outcomes.

Reflecting on his journey so far, he emphasizes the importance of intentional involvement for current and future students. 

“Get involved early, but be strategic,” he advises. “Choose opportunities that help you grow your skills and make the most of your experience.”

Through a combination of academic focus, leadership, and hands-on experience, Michael Pugh has made the most of his time at USC, building a strong foundation for a future driven by data, strategy, and innovation in the retail industry.