Experience Overview
Throughout my time as a Fashion Merchandising major, I’ve built a strong foundation in every stage of the merchandising process, from understanding consumers to developing products and bringing them to market. My coursework reflects a well-rounded skill set that blends creativity, strategy, and analytical thinking.
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I have hands-on experience in product development, where I learned how to take a concept from initial inspiration to a finished product line. My visual merchandising coursework included weekly labs at the MSU Barnes & Noble and work with local boutique Reeds, giving me real-world practice creating impactful displays that drive engagement and sales. In planning and buying, I strengthened my understanding of assortment planning, margin strategy, and inventory management.
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My technical skills were further enhanced through digital merchandising and retail math, where I gained proficiency in Excel for analyzing sales data, forecasting, and building financial plans. Courses in entrepreneurship and consumer behavior helped me understand how brands grow, how shoppers make decisions, and how to create meaningful connections between the two.​
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I’ve also studied trend forecasting and analysis, as well as historic fashion, which deepened my ability to evaluate style direction, interpret cultural influences, and anticipate customer needs.
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Alongside my coursework, I have valuable retail experience, giving me firsthand insight into customer service, store operations, merchandising execution, and the day-to-day realities of working in a fast-paced retail environment.
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Together, these experiences have shaped my understanding of the industry and strengthened my ability to merge creativity with strategy, preparing me to contribute to innovative, customer-focused merchandising teams.