North Columbus News

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign promoting the screening and prevention of breast cancer. A new internship program at Ohio State University is offering students practical experience in retail management while supporting women with cancer.

Hope’s Boutique, located on the first floor of Ohio State’s Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, started hosting internships in the spring semester. The nonprofit store provides various products for women with cancer, including hairpieces, jewelry, breast prostheses, and specially fitted bras.

Founded by cancer survivor Wendy Avner in 1998, Hope’s Boutique serves as a resource for women undergoing cancer treatment to maintain their appearance with the help of trained professionals.

Kristin Paulus from Ohio State's College of Educational and Human Ecology’s Fashion & Retail Studies (FRS) program initiated the internship program. "Through my own personal journey of cancer and having all the great services that the Spielman Center provides, I quickly discovered that there’s a fabulous [boutique] sitting on the main floor," she said. She envisioned creating an opportunity for students to gain practical experience while assisting boutique staff.

Paulus explained her motivation: “I sat there and went through the process and observed what all the fabulous staff was doing to help people in my situation,” she said. Recognizing potential collaboration between FRS students and Hope's Boutique, she shared her idea widely within the university community.

Ellen Jackson, manager at Hope’s Boutique, noted that internships cover essential aspects of retail operations such as customer relations and inventory tracking. “We’ve worked together to kind of put together a plan for [students’] internships so they’re not just here because they need to fill a certain amount of hours,” Jackson stated.

Interns also learn how to adapt retail services to meet individual needs during cancer treatment. “Cancer affects everybody,” Jackson emphasized. Recent graduate Keona Hibbard gained valuable insights during her internship last spring. Her experience contributed significantly to her current role as a visual merchandiser at Uniqlo in Chicago.

“It’s great, especially if you don’t know what area you want to specialize in,” Hibbard commented about her internship experience. She described it as "retail therapy" that fosters compassion.

Hope’s Boutique will celebrate its 26th anniversary from October 14-18. More information can be found on their website or through resources like the National Cancer Institute's website regarding breast cancer prevention.