Retail Day, an event designed to help students of all majors interact with today's leading corporations in retail management, will be held in and outside of the Balmer Commons from 11 a.m - 2 p.m. today.

The event, sponsored by the UW's Retail Management Program (RMP), will be similar to UW's Career Fair, and each company will have their own table with recruiting items.

Nordstrom, Microsoft, Ben Bridge Jewelers, Adidas, Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's and Old Navy are a few of the companies participating in the event.

There will be free barbeque sponsored by Target from 11 a.m. -1 p.m., a fashion show from 12:30-1 p.m. and a raffle prize drawing from 1-1:30 pm.

"[RPM] provides an excellent network for [students] to get plugged in and meet Fortune 500 companies," senior Rachel Owen said. "About a year ago, I was looking for an internship and I called RMP. I was so impressed by ... efforts to help me. I got five job offers that year."

Owen also stressed that the mentorship was "hands down" the best program set up for RMP.

The event was founded by the RMP director Mary Ann Odegaard.

"The event started while I was teaching at UW. It's designed to allow students to have some hands-on experience setting up promotional events," Odegaard said. "When I was a student, I had always thought it would be better if the students got to know how the industry is run. Back when it first started I was doing about 50 percent of the work and now I'm proud to see the students taking care of almost everything."

The RMP prepares students for the retail industry in the areas of buying, accounting and finance, human resource management, electronic-based retailing and distribution systems.

"The RMP addresses the challenges of an industry that reverberates with change in technology, customer service and market expansion," said senior Susan Kramer, chair of Retail Day. "A Retail Management Program certificate builds careers by providing retail skills and real-world experiences."

To receive the certificate, students complete a full-time, 10-12 week paid internship, usually during the summer. When students return in the fall, they take two marketing courses to fulfill their requirements.

"Students will be fast-tracked to higher management positions," assistant director Pam Tuff said. "Industries want to hire RMP students because they know that these students are taking the time to learn how the retail industry works."

Reach reporter Victoria Lee at news@thedaily.washington.edu.