While many industries have been hit hard due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the fashion industry has undoubtedly suffered. The spring graduates from the School of Fashion were not immune to these hardships, but despite it all, many fashion alumni have had recent success securing jobs not only within the fashion industry, but also, outside of it.
Most notably, 2020 fashion merchandising alumna Jenna Palek tapped into her social media skills to land a job at the fast-growing social media platform, TikTok. Palek launched a viral TikTok-themed resume outlining her experience and reasons why the company should hire her. Palek’s video proved to be successful when she was offered the position of brand development manager for TikTok at the company’s offices in Austin, Texas.
Back in Ohio, another merchandising alumna landed a job at Abercrombie and Fitch Co. headquarters in Columbus. Paris Lawrence secured the job sourcing coordinator with the popular teen brand.
"It was a bittersweet feeling to close this chapter in life, but I am so excited to start my career in the corporate retail industry! I am so grateful for the opportunity and all of the growth to come!” expressed Lawrence.
Fashion design alumna, Kassidy Brillhart also took her talents to New York City and landed a position as the production assistant for the high-end, modern, women’s clothing brand, Orseund Iris. She secured the position back in June just weeks after graduating from Kent State in mid-May.
Also making New York her new home is Tamara “Pri” Frazier, an advertising major who minored in fashion media. Frazier recently scored a position with Macy’s as a merchandising assistant at their NYC headquarters. Frazier served as the president and chief administrative officers of Kent State’s National Retail Federation (NRF) chapter. Frazier is no stranger to Macy’s and interned for them in 2019 during her study away experience at Kent State Fashion’s New York City campus.
Are you a School of Fashion grad who recently landed a new job? Let us know! Whether it's in the fashion industry or out of it, we're always interested in highlighting our alumni! Send an email to bpeter12@kent.edu if you have a new position or achievement you would like to share!
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Image 1: Jenna Palek