TCU fashion merchandising majors obtain valuable job experience in the flourishing retail market right down the street.
The Fort Worth marketplace is undergoing a revival. It’s increasingly becoming a hub for some of the top fashion and apparel companies in the nation. Newly opened retailers like Michael Kors, Sephora, Athleta, and Kendra Scott are lending the city a stylish, more modern edge.
Sally Fortenberry, associate professor and merchandising internship coordinator for the TCU Interior Design and Merchandising department, is well aware of the impact the growing retail industry is having on our city.
“Businesses tend to look to Fort Worth to relocate because of the people, the culture and the lifestyle amenities available to employees as well as the positive demographics of the population base,” notes Fortenberry.
An influx of store openings has spurred employment growth that the TCU students have embraced with enthusiasm. Many fashion merchandising majors are now employed by reputable companies.
Michael Kors employs 10 TCU students, while Athleta has recruited 12 and Kendra Scott, six, according to each store’s management. This signifies that a generous number of TCU students are working for some of the newest clothiers in the area.
Each student in the fashion merchandising program learns about all aspects of the fashion business and supply chain model. Most of the students pursue career paths in fashion buying, product development, and wholesale, all of which expect the applicant to have experienced working on the sales floor in a retail setting.
The merchandising program encourages students to take advantage of the many local retail opportunities to develop develop significant skills that can be transferred to fulltime corporate positions after graduation through part-time retail experience while continuing to pursue their college degree.
Michael Kors, the ‘jet-setting’ luxury lifestyle brand, nurtured and trained senior fashion merchandising major Brooke McLeod for their recently opened University Park Village location.
“It’s not every day that a girl gets recruited by Michael Kors,” quips McLeod. “I realized the opportunity to work for a luxury lifestyle brand would enhance my résumé with skills I would need to possess in order to obtain a job with a luxury retailer in New York one day.”
Clare Williams, another senior fashion merchandising major, earned a job with Athleta, a contemporary activewear label which is owned by The Gap. The company experienced rapid expansion this year, with over 100 stores slated to open by the end of the holiday season.
“I love the job because you get to work so closely with the customer and really understand what she is looking for,” said Williams. “Athleta as a company also has great core values which keep me motivated to portray those qualities of the company to the customer.”
Junior fashion merchandising major Piper Bue has worked with Kendra Scott since it opened its Fort Worth location in August.
“This has been an amazing experience for me to be a part of a growing company and expand my knowledge about the industry,” Bue says. “I feel like I am able to better apply real life situations to the information we are given by our TCU fashion professors. Being a full time TCU student, working part time at my favorite store, and being in such great location close to school is such a blessing.”
Fortenberry adds that “leading fashion retailers prefer to hire an employee or student who is motivated to not only learn all they can about the business but is also excited about working with the company.”
“The individual’s passion for the brand can be translated into sales or success for the organization. It is a win-win solution for both fashion merchandising students and the local retailer.”
