Jennifer, who is from Valley Stream, NY, transferred into LIM after receiving an associate degree in Fashion Merchandising from Nassau County Community College. She received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Fashion Merchandising in 2017 and currently works as a Digital Merchandise Assistant at Macy鈥檚 corporate offices in midtown Manhattan.
How did your LIM education help prepare you for what you鈥檙e doing now?
I had always wanted to become a buyer, but I didn鈥檛 realize there is so much more to the fashion business than just being a buyer. At LIM, I learned a lot about different career paths. I was able to figure out what I liked and what I didn鈥檛 like, as well as what I was good at and what I wasn鈥檛 good at.
What were your professors like?
LIM鈥檚 professors are extremely knowledgeable and have professional experience in the fashion industry, which is important, because there is only so much you can learn from a textbook. Almost all of my professors were also mentors to me. I was never afraid to ask for their help or advice.
What internships did you do while you were an LIM student?
My first internship was as an e-commerce assistant at a boutique on Long Island. I would create and edit images of the clothes, write copy, and generally make sure customers had a great online shopping experience. I would also help with inventory, go to shows with the buyer, and perform customer service functions. I really learned how to run a business and how to start an e-commerce site. It was on a small scale, but I gained so much knowledge and experience.
My second internship was at Mixology Clothing Company. I was the web assistant and worked closely with the graphic artist and the creative director. I learned how to create marketing emails, work with Google analytics, and create promotional materials for the stores. The Photoshop and Illustrator skills I learned in class at LIM definitely came in handy. I would also help fulfill orders, edit images from the photo shoots, write copy, and merchandise the website. I even learned how to create store window displays.
My internships may not have been at Gucci or Chanel, but I gained so much experience. When I look at my current job at Macy鈥檚, I see how these internships led me to where I am now.
What did you like best about going to school in New York City?
I really liked being immersed in the fashion industry. I learned things just by walking between LIM鈥檚 buildings, whether it was by observing people on the street or looking in store windows. Being in NYC stimulates the mind and really gets your ideas going.
If you could give career advice to your younger self, what would it be?
You have the power to do anything. You can be literally anything. Don鈥檛 be afraid of change. Change is good. If there is no change, there is no growth.