Romina Potter

What do you do as a Merchandising Business Analyst?

As a Business Analyst for Merchandising, I am in charge of inventory and product flow for my specific area. This means working with our vendors and distribution centers to make sure all Meijer stores are fully stocked for our customers.

Why did you choose to major in Psychology and how has that affected your career thus far? 

It took me some time to decide on a major, but I chose to major in Psychology because of how versatile the degree could be. I was also undecided about what I wanted to do after graduation, but knew that I could apply it in various professional contexts since we learned how psychology applies to a large range of fields.
Once I determined that I was interested in business, I played with the idea of consumer behavior and decision-making. What products do they want? When will they buy it? When I work with my team on displays, product assortment and where a product goes on the shelf, we are trying to get inside the consumer’s head.

What was your career path like?

My position as a Business Analyst is the first I have held since graduating. I started off in a 13 week training program, so I am still very new to my role. However, I interned with Meijer the summer in between my junior and senior year of college, which is what led me to this career.

What advice do you have both professionally and personally for students and recent alumni who are interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?

I do not know if I have enough experience under my belt to best answer this question yet and I do not think I can answer for the retail industry as a whole, but I believe my internship, campus jobs and extracurricular activities helped me get my job. An internship shows an employer you have had professional work experience before, and shows interest in a type of position or industry (you may also learn what you don’t like and that’s okay too!). But I think was able to get the internship because even though my campus experiences did not relate to retail, I was able to show I would be an asset to the company through the skills I gained and the energy I would bring. When that is combined with genuine interest in the company and industry, I believe that makes a strong candidate. I think showing demonstrated interest by working retail at a store level will help too, but that does not have to be the trajectory. I would suggest tailoring your resume to the job description, pulling on relevant experiences or transferable skills and show your genuine interest. I think that could open many doors, regardless of what career you are looking into.   

What is the best career advice that you have received?

You will not get to your “dream job” in a clear, direct shot. Your career path there won’t be linear, but rather wind and curve in various, sometimes unexpected directions. Some people already know what they want to do, how to get there or what their passion is, but you can also learn all that along your own career journey.
Once I realized that my first job did not have to box me in a certain role or industry, I had the confidence to pursue whatever I wanted. You do not necessarily need to “follow your passion” if you find passion in whatever you do instead. You will learn with experience what you want out of your career, and the skills you gain and the network you create will be transferable into the next role.  

Why do you love Michigan?

I love the sense of community at Michigan. I think the phrase “Forever Go Blue” captures the essence of our school pride—once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine. I love the enthusiasm that students and alumni have, because even though everyone’s passions, involvement and experiences are different while going to school, we still have the underlying connection of being Wolverines. I urge recent graduates and alumni to find a UM alumni association club near them because it is an easy way to meet and network with people that have something in common with you in a new city. I believe in alumni maintaining relationships with the University and current students to offer resources or advice that can get them to where they want to go. That desire is what helps create a strong community!