Today, I was lucky enough to volunteer at the Style Career
Fair in New York City. Drexel sent out an email a few weeks ago asking for
volunteers and I eagerly responded saying that I would love to volunteer. When
I arrived, I was given a Style Career shirt and assembled bags that would later
be given to the candidates who were meeting industry professionals and
recruiters. I was the first shift from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, there were about
fifteen to twenty other volunteers in my group. I got very lucky because my job
was to help the fashion industry professionals set up their booths. This meant
I got to meet many of the industry professionals at the fair. At the Style
Career Fair there were twenty-five companies the companies were looking for
fashion industry professions with backgrounds in: Apparel, Accessories,
Footwear, Graphics, Textile and Corporate Retail. Each company had a small
booth where they would conduct interviews with the candidates.
I had one of the best jobs because I got to talk to many of
the recruiters and get face-to-face contact. I talked to a recruiter from
H&M, who was excited that I was from Drexel and I ended up giving him my
resume. I was very excited about that I was able to give him my resume. We chatted
about the H&M Balmain collaboration that’s hitting the stores soon. I’m so
excited and counting down the days until the collaboration hits stores and
online! I also got to meet as well as set up their booths for recruiters from:
Steve Madden, Kohl’s, Marc Jacobs, Talbots, Bombfell, Caleres and a few others.
It was a lot of fun small talking with the recruiters and seeing how they set
up each of their booths. Once the doors opened and the candidates came it got
very hectic! The lines were extremely long and there were people everywhere. I was
on my feet all day, which I enjoy doing because I hate sitting down for long
periods of time. Only I regret wearing my black flats because my toes were
killing me by the end. Oh, well I learned my lesson never to wear those flats
when I’ll be running around all day for a long period of time.
I had a great time at the Style Career Fair and got to meet
a lot of interesting people. The girls who were in my volunteer group were also
very nice and we took each others information. There’s always a way to connect
to people wherever you go! It’s all about the people you know in the industry
that’s for sure! At the end of my shift, all the volunteers were told by Style
Careers that all the companies at the fair will be given our resume along with
a picture of ourselves. If the companies need any interns or entry-level jobs
they have a list of us (all the volunteers). I thought that was great because
even though I didn’t get to formally interview the recruiters they still have
my resume and picture to remember my face by. Hopefully some of these companies
need entry level positions and will reach out to me.
I am so jealous that Olivia was able to meet all of these recruiters and important people in the industry! I think it is so important to make connections, because ultimately it will be those people that can help get jobs in the future. The event she went to sounds amazing, and I love that Drexel always sends out opportunities like this for students to get involved in. It definitely helps with networking, and helps students' future in the long run.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing opportunity! I'm definitely jealous but so happy for you that you were able to experience such an amazing event. I also think it's really awesome that they were happy about you being a Drexel student. This definitely gives me hope! Good luck, I hope you get some calls from these companies
ReplyDelete-Danielle Calcavecchia
This sounds like an amazing opportunity! Your story is living proof of just how hands-on Drexel university is when it comes to getting ahead of the game! It's great that you were able to meet many affluent people in the retail industry and were able to make connections with some of them just like the H&M recruiter! Drexel's design & merchandising major really does offer wonderful opportunities for its students. -Kevin Zaleski
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteReading Olivia’s article, I grew very excited to begin my own journey in networking and trying to get my name and resume in the hands of leaders of the fashion industry. Being a D&M student at Drexel, I am surrounded by countless opportunities to further my career not as only as a student but after graduation. I am constantly inspired to take full advantage of all of the opportunities and connections given to me and use them to turn my dream employers and jobs into realistic goals and ambitions.
-Shannon Frierson
Olivia’s story makes me realize I should take every opportunity Drexel offers me to gain some work experience and to network. It was great that Olivia was up to date on current fashion news, like the H&M Balmain collaboration, so she was able to discuss it in detail with the H&M recruiter. It was smart of Olivia to bring copies of her resume with her to the Style Career Fair, I would not have thought to do that. It was also nice that her resume was given out to all companies who participated in the fair, even if she did not get to formally interview with them. I hope she gets contacted about an internship or job soon!
ReplyDelete-Kate Broskie
This sounds like an amazing experience! Im very jealous I didn't go. I think its really impressive how much she was able to make her volunteerism count; giving her resume to a professional has the potential to open doors in the future! Its all about who you know in the fashion world. The way she was able to connect with the representative from H and M was very impressive. It's vital to know whats currently going on in the industry, like the H and M collaboration with Balmain. This makes it easy to talking and connecting with industry professionals and create lasting good impressions. Its all about making every action count!
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing you can do to advance your career is to seize every opportunity that you can. This is a great example of how to further your career in the fashion industry. By volunteering at this event, not only did she soak up the atmosphere around her, but she also learned to network. Networking is super important in the fashion industry, the connections you make can take you a long way in your fashion career. I recently worked backstage at a fashion show in Paris for J Model Management, which is a great example of how to seize every opportunity that Drexel offers. I was able not only to experience fashion in Paris, but to also work hands on with designer collections. It is important to use every opportunity to your advantage like Olivia did.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such I great opportunity! I am so jealous of the fact that you were able to meet and connect with so many representatives from so many amazing brands! It is always so important to soak up every experience you get. It was so cool that the recruiter from H&M actually asked you for your resume! I can not even imagine how cool that must feel. Every event is an opportunity to make connections in the industry and it really seems as though you really took advantage of this opportunity! I really hope I can participate in something like this in the future.
ReplyDeleteI am very jealous that you had this opportunity! You made imprint contacts from multiple different brands. You saw this opportunity and grabbed it when you had the chance, which is very important in the fashion industry. You probably learned a lot from the event, and learned networking. The connections you made at this event will help you with your career in fashion. This entry shows Drexel students how helpful the school can be with helping the fashion majors get involved as much as they can. This gives me hope to one day get to go to an event like this, and do networking myself.
ReplyDeleteThis entry is another great example of the incredible opportunities that Drexel has to offer. Being successful in the fashion industry is all about connections and timing. It is awesome to hear that a student made many connections just by utilizing one of Drexel's many opportunities. This makes me hopeful that it is possible to make those connections. They are right at our fingertips as Drexel students. I think it is amazing how students are able to dive in to the industry in so many different way, whether it is at a fair or at a fashion show. This emphasizes that success is possible, students just have to take advantage of everything Drexel has to offer.
ReplyDeleteIt is always amazing to hear all of the incredible opportunities that Drexel provides us. By going to all of these events or volunteering or working you can meet very important people and network for your career while still learn important skills. I am so excited to start delving into all of these opportunities and projects and build up my own resume. The most important lesson- always take advantage of what Drexel has to offer.
ReplyDeleteThis was an incredible opportunity! I would have loved to be able to volunteer for the style career fair. Opportunities like this that Drexel provides students are extremely important to take advantage of. This industry is all about connections and being able to give possible employers your resume, or even, for example, have a conversation with them about the H&M Balmain collaboration, is key for getting a job. I hope to take advantage of some of the opportunities Drexel offers D&M students in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThis was an incredible opportunity! I would have loved to be able to volunteer for the style career fair. Opportunities like this that Drexel provides students are extremely important to take advantage of. This industry is all about connections and being able to give possible employers your resume, or even, for example, have a conversation with them about the H&M Balmain collaboration, is key for getting a job. I hope to take advantage of some of the opportunities Drexel offers D&M students in the near future.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this I was jealous of this amazing opportunity, but very excited for you! The position you received definitely seemed the most interesting; working with representatives from some of the major brands today must have been pretty fascinating. I hope there will be more opportunities like this one for other students in the design and merchandising field and wish you the best of luck in hearing back from a company!
ReplyDelete