E-Commerce internship prepares design and merchandising students for real-world impact
Monday, November 17, 2025
Media Contact: Kirsi McDowell | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-8320 | kirsi@oksate.edu
For Oklahoma State University students in the Department of Design and Merchandising seeking an internship to meet their degree requirement, the Oklahoma Rural E-Commerce Academy (ORECA) may be what they’re looking for.
Established in 2024 with a federal grant awarded to the College of Education and Human Sciences’ own Dr. June Park and agricultural economics professor Dr. Courtney Bir, ORECA is dedicated to supporting rural Oklahoma retailers in the shift toward digital engagement. The program is meant to help small businesses remain competitive as the retail world moves online.
While the program was developed to provide support for small businesses throughout Oklahoma, it has proven to be equally as supportive of OSU’s design and merchandising students.
Shea Hoffman, a senior in the fashion merchandising program who participated as one of ORECA’s summer 2025 interns, shared that her experience as an intern helped her find confidence in herself as a professional and allowed her to walk away feeling more prepared to face a career in the design industry.
“It definitely made me feel differently about my skillset because the people I was working with recognized the knowledge I have in this field,” Hoffman said. “I went from thinking, ‘I am so scared that they aren’t going to like me,’ to ‘Oh yeah, I can help with that! I love this! I know a lot about this!’”
For students, interning at ORECA allows them to earn credit toward their degree program and to make a meaningful difference in the state of Oklahoma.
Many participating businesses have followed a traditional brick-and-mortar model and lack experience in transitioning to online retailing. This is where merchandising students become a valuable resource in strengthening the online presence among retailers across the state.
“A professional internship is one of the most valuable learning opportunities students can experience during their studies,” said Dr. June Park, associate professor of fashion merchandising.
“From mastering Excel analyses to applying Adobe Photoshop skills, the lessons learned in the classroom truly come together when students see how these tools are used in real-world business settings.”
All design and merchandising students are required to complete an internship before they graduate, and Hoffman highly recommends this one.
“The ORECA internship was unique because it gave me experience working with rural companies. I loved getting to be there for smaller brands — feeling like I was part of the team and helping them achieve what they needed to for their businesses.”
Paid internship opportunities with ORECA are available now through the summer of 2026. Any student who has completed the pre-internship seminar in the Department of Design and Merchandising is eligible to apply. Interested students may also contact Dr. Park with any questions.
Story By: Faith Frantz | faith.frantz@okstate.edu