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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Fashion Merchandising Career Forum

Photo credits: erika tapia


I attended the Fashion Merchandising Career forum on Thursday March 25, 2010 in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Student Center. The morning started with a welcome and breakfast, while we ate Janelle Havner, the executive Vice President of Store Administration and Merchandising Presentation for Kohl’s Department Stores, gave a keynote address. What stuck out to me from her presentation was the idea of “Yes We Can,” as a customer asks a question that is what one would reply. At the conclusion of breakfast, we all separated into two different career seminars.
The first seminar I attended was one that I personally wanted to attend because it had a lot to do with my major and my minor. Donna Muslin, from Muslin & Associates, was the presenter of “Careers in Fashion Production/ Promotions.” It was inspiring and a pleasure to meeting her and hear how she has gotten where she is now. She spoke about getting different opportunities coming to her only because she was open to doing everything, even what she did not attend school for. This showed that in order to get better at everything you do in life, you have to constantly study and do your homework about what it is you are doing. But before one reaches all of that, before one has officially gotten into their ‘dream career’ one has to get to know oneself and be able to sell oneself. I loved the different quotes that she gave us; “Life is a journey, every door that opens is an opportunity. Take every opportunity you are given. Be open, be mobile, and say yes.”
The second seminar I attended was on Visual Merchandising, it was presented by Rochelle from Dillard’s. I enjoyed hearing about the different opportunities that Dillard’s offers its employees. She mentioned that Dillard’s gave her the opportunity to be creative with the in store displays, but let her know when she had gone overboard with ideas. She also pointed out that you have to know your store, yourself and be able to expose your skills by letting people know what you can do. Rochelle also said that being mobile gives you better chances and more opportunities.
Upon the conclusion of the seminars, we attended the career fair. I spoke with all the representatives but the two top companies that I was interested in were Dillard’s and Kohl’s because I have started building a relationship with their representatives. Noticing how busy it was, I shortened my 30 second commercial and only introduced myself and went straight to the point of asking the representatives whether they had any positions in promotions, advertising or visuals.
Most of the recruiters were interested and looking for graduating seniors, but I still went ahead and told them I would take their information and apply once I become a senior. But they told me to look for any retail positions in their stores. The recruiters’ booths looked exactly the way their store would be defined; they handed out informational material about the positions and internships available in their company.


After the Fair, everyone attended Dillard's Fashion Show, which I was modeling in. I had a great time working with Rochelle and Kathy, who are from Dillard's. All the clothing well fabulous, I loved it. Overall, I enjoyed the Career Forum and look forward to attending it next year as well.


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