Retail Leadership Internship Program - Syracuse, NY

Our Company

We believe Running Changes Everything. If you believe that, too, we want to talk. With more than 280 stores and a robust e-commerce site, Fleet Feet is the largest running retailer in the country. Catering to more than runners, we pride ourselves on having an inclusive environment! We believe it’s a privilege to serve and to deliver unmatched service and support when outfitting every customer. We run together to solve problems, reach goals, encourage others and champion our brand.   

Overview:

Fleet Feet's paid, 10-week summer internship offers hands-on experience in retail leadership and business analysis.  

Working alongside store leaders in the Syracuse, NY market, the intern will learn how customer experience, team leadership, store operations, and community engagement shape the business. Throughout the summer, the intern will gather evidence, identify a meaningful opportunity, and recommend a practical improvement. 

This is a 40-hour-per-week, store-based role. The schedule will follow store needs and include evenings and weekends when needed for customer traffic, events, and other learning opportunities. 

The deadline to submit applications is November 23, 2026.

Responsibilities:

• Learn alongside store leaders and team members, with exposure to customer experience, team leadership, operations, and business decisions. 

• Participate in store and community activities to understand how and why the business works. 

• Ask questions, gather evidence, and build a business analysis using observations, conversations, and approved information. 

• Identify a key opportunity, develop a practical recommendation, and present it at the end of the internship. 

• Take part in coaching, professional development, networking, and ongoing feedback. 

• Travel to Fleet Feet's headquarters in Carrboro, North Carolina, for the first and final weeks. 

Qualifications:

• Rising college junior or senior at Syracuse University.  

• Interest in retail leadership, business operations, customer experience, or community-based business. 

• Demonstrated leadership through work, campus involvement, athletics, or volunteer experience. 

• Curious and proactive, with strong communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. 
• Available for all 10 weeks, including 40-hour store schedules, evenings and weekends, and travel to Carrboro. 

Equal Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodations:

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe having diverse teams in which everyone brings their whole self to Fleet Feet is key to our success. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. That is why we value inclusivity in our hiring practices, our culture, and our engagement with the community.

Additional Requirements:  Hours of work for this position may vary based on work schedule. Position requires moving around for periods of 2-4 hours without a rest break task sequencing, and using point-of-sale computers. Occasional moderate to heavy (10-25+lb) lifting and carrying, bending and reaching overhead may be required. Work environment includes substantial communication with customers, working in a retail environment with product displays and stockroom with inventory, and potentially slippery surfaces.

Fleet Feet utilizes E-Verify in all corporate and company-operated stores as part of the hiring process.