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Retail Internships Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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Retail Internships information

What are retail internships?

Retail internships are short-term, practical work experiences offered by retail companies to students or recent graduates. These internships provide hands-on training in various aspects of the retail industry, such as sales, customer service, merchandising, marketing, and store operations. Interns gain valuable industry knowledge, develop professional skills, and often build networks that can help them secure future employment. Retail internships can be paid or unpaid and typically last from a few weeks to several months.

What do retail internships do?

Retail internships provide hands-on experience in retail environments, allowing interns to learn about customer service, sales, inventory management, and store operations. Interns often assist with daily tasks, develop communication skills, and gain insight into the retail industry, sometimes earning certifications or completing training programs during their internship period.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a retail internship?

As a retail intern, you’ll likely gain hands-on experience by supporting daily store operations, assisting with merchandising, and learning about inventory management. You may also participate in customer service, shadow experienced staff, and contribute to sales floor presentations or promotional events. Many internships include project-based assignments, such as analyzing sales data or developing marketing displays, providing a comprehensive introduction to retail management and operations. These experiences are designed to help you build practical skills and understand the fast-paced nature of the retail industry.

What is the difference between Retail Internships vs Retail Sales Associate?

AspectRetail InternshipsRetail Sales Associate
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing college educationHigh school diploma often required; some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in retail stores or corporate officesCustomer-facing retail stores
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for gaining experience, often seasonal or temporaryFull-time or part-time positions in retail stores
Common Search & Comparison IntentLearning about entry-level opportunities and career pathwaysSeeking employment or part-time work in retail

Retail Internships provide students or entry-level candidates with hands-on experience in retail operations, often focusing on learning and development. Retail Sales Associates are frontline employees responsible for customer service and sales. While internships are more educational, sales associate roles are employment positions aimed at direct customer interaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a retail intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Retail Intern, you need basic customer service skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn, typically supported by a high school diploma or current enrollment in a related academic program. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory software, and standard retail procedures is often expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability are standout soft skills in this position. These competencies enable interns to support effective store operations, deliver excellent customer experiences, and contribute positively to team dynamics.
Infographic showing various Retail Internships job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

College Financial Representative, Internship Program

Northwestern Mutual

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Medical, Life

Re-posted 13 days ago


Northwestern Mutual rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 304 rated insurance


Job description

Overview

College Financial Representatives in the internship program at Northwestern Mutual are provided guidance, connection, and a framework for building an integrated financial planning practice from the ground up. Our college financial representatives, who come from varying academic backgrounds and experiences, begin to build a financial planning practice while engaging local and nationwide experts, exclusive financial products, and the support of a Fortune 500 company. You will have the opportunity to build your confidence, develop a professional network, and help people achieve financial freedom. Here, hard work pays off!

Responsibilities

Our internship program mimics our full-time Financial Representative career, allowing you to:

  • Learn how to prospect and network to build your business and client base
  • Develop and execute on a business strategy
  • Call on potential clients and set meetings to understand their financial goals
  • Prepare plans and offer useful recommendations
  • Gain exposure to proprietary planning software platforms
  • Engage in weekly coaching, training, and development meetings
  • Receive Risk Product State Licensing: Life, Accident, and Health
  • Build life skills that create future career opportunities

As a Northwestern Mutual College Financial Representative, you can expect a flexible schedule to work around your life and your classes. With the option to participate in our internship program year-round, you can continue to grow your practice and obtain support for registrations and certifications such as the Series 6 & 63 or CFP. Get inspired at local and national recognition events, earn access to leadership programs, and collaborate with experts in our business. In fact, you'll find diverse resources across our culture to ensure that you experience personal and professional growth in this program. With interest, eligible students have an opportunity to interview for a full-time Financial Representative or Advisor role upon graduation.

#LI-Onsite

Qualifications

Are you a fit for this internship?

  • Full-time student; juniors and seniors preferred
  • Entrepreneurial ambitions and curiosity for sales
  • Highly involved on campus (leader, athlete, campus orgs, student government, etc)
  • Excellent time-management skills
  • Interest in financial literacy and planning tools
  • Business savvy and desire to increase critical thinking abilities

Compensation & Benefits

  • Performance-based earnings and revenue
  • Learning and Development Incentives (up to $1000/month, not inclusive of earned commissions)
  • Productivity Bonuses
  • Support for insurance licensing (life, health, DI, LTC)
  • Support for SIE, Series 6, Series 63 registrations (eligibility required)

About Us

For over 165 years, we have helped our clients spend their lives living through comprehensive and innovative financial planning. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to give our clients the ability to successfully navigate their financial lives.

Our tailored approach includes multiple financial strategies-insurance, investments, and annuities-built to reinforce each other, keeping our clients consistently on track to meet goal after goal. We lead with unmatched financial strength and access to the best products and services for our clients.

Our Financial Representatives and College Financial Representatives are valued partners and proud business owners. As such, they are considered independent contractors1 for income tax purposes, and a "statutory employee" for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax purposes.

As a company, we value an inclusive and belonging workplace where everyone's unique viewpoints bring new successes. We strive to create teams that reflect our customers and communities, fostering an environment where all employees are welcomed, valued, and heard.

Why join Northwestern Mutual

  • Fortune 500 company (2023)
  • Top 100 Internship Programs, Yello x WayUp (2022)
  • 5.0+ million clients and growing2
  • $257 billion retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual3
  • Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity (2018-2021)
  • Unsurpassed financial strength4
  • Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality- Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (2015-2021)

1 Northwestern Mutual College Financial Representatives are Independent Contractors whose income is based on production. If offered to apply for approval of an intern contract to become a Northwestern Mutual College Financial Representative, a national criminal background check is required. Should the background check results provide information which would not allow someone to work for Northwestern Mutual, approval to contract will be withdrawn.

2 As of June 30, 2023

3 Combined client assets of NMIS and NMWMC as of June 30, 2023

4 Among U.S. life insurers. Ratings are for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, as of the most recent review and report by each rating agency. Ratings as of: 06/23 (Moody's Investors Service), 08/23 (A.M. Best Company), 08/23 (Fitch Ratings), 05/23 (S&P Global Ratings)

Salary RangeUSD $500.00 - USD $1,000.00 /Yr.Employment Type: INTERN

What Northwestern Mutual employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northwestern Mutual logo

About Northwestern Mutual

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for over 160 years through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation, and distribution. With more than $290 billion in assets, $30 billion in revenues and more than $1.9 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.6 million clients. People are the power behind Northwestern Mutual, and diversity makes us better. We are committed to reflecting and serving the marketplace. We do so by attracting and improving the engagement of those who bring their outstanding perspectives, ideas, and beliefs.

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US