From Auburn to Industry

Jun 25

Jun 25 From Auburn to Industry

School’s out for summer! For many, the end of the school year means summer internships, time with family, or summer courses. However, for recent Auburn alumni, this summer season means the beginning of a new chapter. Here is a glimpse into how this transition is treating these alumni, and the advice they have to share with those soon following in their footsteps.

Carrington Speegle, ’24, Merchandise Coordinator and Intern Recruiter at Ex Voto Vintage:

During our interview, Speegle shared the shift she has observed regarding sustainability, commenting, “I have noticed this shift a lot at Ex Voto and with our customers' preferences. Customers are asking more questions about where [apparel] is from and how it was made. I think the desire for transparency between retailer and consumer will continue to shape the future of fashion.”

When asked which classes or skills from Auburn have been the most helpful in the transition to post-grad life, Speegle answered “I use my knowledge acquired from the textiles courses at Auburn the most. It is very important when engaging with customers that you are able to describe the reasons behind a garment’s textile, price, or overall structure, and usually the answer to everything is in the materials used! I also use knowledge about aesthetics, global sourcing, and visual merchandising everyday as I rearrange Ex Voto’s shop.”

The biggest lesson she has learned is to be flexible, and she believes that patience is the key to success in the fashion industry. The advice she wishes to share with soon-to-be graduates is to “[research] different avenues of fashion to help give you a more well-rounded career path and expose you to areas of the fashion industry that are not as well known. You never know where you will end up, so be willing to step out of your comfort zone!”

Taylor Strohmeier, ’24, Assistant Planner at Carter’s Inc.:

A common question from soon to be graduates is what the transition from college to career is like. Strohmeier explained that for her, time management is one of the skills she is most grateful to have learned at Auburn. She commented that “you have to be able to plan your days and goals for how you plan to go about accomplishing the work given.”

Furthermore, she shared that the biggest lesson she has learned is that “you may or may not always get the first job you apply for or interview for. You never know what companies are looking for and tons of experience may not be all they want. You should utilize the career center at Auburn for interview prep.”

Regarding critical skills, Strohmeier said that “it is critical to be a good communicator but also to be fluent in the retail language. Becoming comfortable with terms from class, from interning or working in the field, or from following newsletters and accounts can help you be more confident when talking with co-workers.” Her advice for upcoming graduates is to take risks, and “be open to new opportunities even if they are out of your comfort zone!”

Ann Lilly McDaniel, ’24, Inventory Analyst at Carter’s Inc.:

McDaniel had the opportunity to have a part-time job for the majority of her time at Auburn, so when asked about how she balances her schedule she shared that she feels that “balancing work, school, and life during college better prepared me for finding a work/life balance after college. With that being said, the shift has actually been very positive for me because now I come home from work and have my evenings to do as I please, no tests, assignments, or readings to worry about!”

Her biggest takeaway so far is “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions can only make you better. My company has an amazing onboarding program that has provided so many materials for me to use to learn more about my job and the systems that we use day to day. I was worried going into it that I would not know what I was doing, but that is exactly the point, it is something new that I have to learn.”

McDaniel stated the importance of knowledge of the supply chain system and understanding “how it pertains to your field is crucial, especially for the apparel industry.” She also believes that “computer literacy is a key skill for our generation and the workforce we are entering.” Her advice for those who are entering the job market is to not be afraid to explore all aspects of your field, use the Auburn resources, and “always keep an open mind when applying for a job because odds are you can start in part of a company and change or move up over time.”