Institute provides education for retail
By Emily Espinosa
Although Santa Clara may not be seen as a Mecca for fashion design students, those looking to work on the business-side of the fashion industry are drawn to the university for its Retail Management Institute. This section of the business school looks to provide students with every opportunity to enter the industry after graduation. One of its means of doing so is through the Fashion Scholarship Foundation (FSF), which the school became involved with last year.
The FSF is a nonprofit association that thrives off of involvement from some of the most significant players in the fashion world, including Calvin Klein, Nike, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Levi Strauss & Co., Target, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few. Through these connections, the organization promotes education in the fashion arts and business by providing deserving students with scholarships, internships and career mentoring programs.
"There are opportunities for internships in both retail organizations and in brand name manufacturers, primarily apparel manufacturers, which is really valuable experience," said Professor Dale Achabal -- Executive Director of the Retail Management Institute and one of the administrators who brought the program to Santa Clara. The FSF provides students in the retail minor with opportunities to compete for scholarships and gain industry contacts.
The goal of the FSF is to usher in a new generation of talented students to pursue a career in the fashion industry. By doing so, members of the association hope to maintain the strength of the industry for the future, in particular because of the industry's struggles during the economic downturn.
The association was created in 1971 and since then has awarded over $6 million in scholarships to more than 700 students across the nation.
One of those scholarship winners was Christina Sisois, a Santa Clara junior and a retail studies minor. After receiving a $5000 grant for being selected as a finalist based on her application and essay last year, she was required to conduct a case study where she imagined opening three boutiques in the cities of Miami, New York and Chicago.
Her advisors brought in older sales reps to help her create a business plan and write a paper on the store concept. She was then selected as one of 54 total winners across the country for 2009, which were awarded a total of over $270,000. Sisois eagerly looks forward to all that this award will do for her in the future.
"For one thing, winning it as a sophomore was awesome because it's only for juniors and sophomores, so I can apply again for the $25,000 scholarship next year," said Sisois.
The FSF is partnered with the Geoffrey Beene Foundation, so along with the 80 $5000 scholarships they award annually, four "Outstanding Geoffrey Beene Scholars" can receive $25,000 scholarships.
Professor Achabal suggests that the program not only insures connections, but helps in the decision process as well.
"It allows students to really get a better understanding of what the career opportunities are and gives them a chance to find out if it's an area that they would really like to pursueâ?¦they'll be able to make a much more informed career decision if they take advantage of opportunities like this."
Santa Clara is one of only 28 campuses that have become involved in the program thus far.
"One of the assets of going to Santa Clara is having the connections in the industry" said Sisois. "The way they find out about opportunities and get the information out to students so quickly is great."
Sisois urges fellow Santa Clara students to join her in applying for the scholarships again next year.
"I thought I was completely over my head with it, I never thought I'd win," she said. "Even if they don't need the money, winning something like this really boosts your confidence. You should give it a shot even if you're remotely interested."
Contact Emily Espinosa at eespinosa@scu.edu or (408) 554-1918.