My Education, My Plan

My freshman year of high school I took a class that helped me discover what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. The class was called “Apparel Development” and was taught by Mrs. Martin, a strict but inspiring woman. In reality, the class was just a simple variation of what many know as “Home Economics.” It had a focus on apparel construction and our main assignment of the class was to sew a set of pajamas in four months. This seemed like a fairly simple task at first, however, my classmates and I soon learned that Mrs. Martin’s standards of quality were exceptionally superior and sent many of us back to our machines to start over again on a daily basis. By the end of the semester I had a new found respect for anyone who could sew and found myself wondering if I could be a part of the apparel industry one day. Since my pajamas were close to un-wearable, I started to look into the behind-the-scenes element of fashion and uncovered a fast-paced, glamorous, and competitive industry that intrigued me. Since then, I have been working towards my dream of a career in fashion.
Along with my enthusiasm for fashion, I am also interested in the French language. Learning about the French language and culture has led me to research other cultures as well. My interest in International studies and the opportunity to be in the Lloyd International Honors Program were some of the deciding factors for choosing UNC Greensboro. Currently my major is Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies with a concentration in Global, Apparel, and Related Industries and a minor in French. With the combination of CARS, International and Global Studies, and Honors classes, I hope to leave college with a well rounded education that will help me pursue a career in the international apparel industry.
After learning about the current issues with major apparel companies using sweat shops to manufacture their garments, I have narrowed down my goals. In many cases, companies are unaware or choose to ignore the abuse that is taking place. I find this issue inhuman and a great injustice that occurs all over the world as well as in our own country. I want to become a sourcing consultant for the apparel industry assisting companies pick overseas contractors who respect the quality specifications, regulations, and human rights laws set by the United States. Hopefully I can help prevent apparel companies from associating themselves with contractors who abuse their employee’s rights and harbor unhealthy working conditions.
For the next three years here at UNCG I plan on taking several practical steps towards achieving my goal. Outlined in my course requirements for both my major and minor are classes in consumer, apparel, and retail, International and Global studies, and the French language. I also plan to take courses offered in the honors department throughout the next three years. I am particularly fascinated by classes concerning philosophy and ethical principles. During the spring semester of 2011 I am planning a study abroad trip to Lyon, France. There I hope to utilize my skills in French and take international business classes that will contribute to my major as well as my minor. The summer before my senior year I am required to find an internship. My goal is to locate an apparel company that is considerably involved in international relations. Interning for a company such as this and performing well could lead to an opportunity in the type of position I want after graduation with the same company.
If I do succeed in a career as a sourcing consultant then it would be essential that I know the traditional customs, language, and social norms of different countries. Respectfully interacting with business associates all over the world is important. The learning plan I have outlined will help me understand these ideas better and assist me in becoming an effective activist for the issue I am concerned with.
However, I realize that this plan that I have constructed for myself is only a set of helpful guidelines and not an exact framework of how my life will play out. It took my mother twelve years to finally land her dream job after college graduation and I know that like her, I may have to follow some unplanned paths until I can get back to my ultimate goal. I also know that a lot can change over the course of a few years and my goals now may not be the same goals I have in the future. My degree from UNCG could take me in many different directions and it would be wise to take advantage of any interesting opportunities that present themselves. Right now my goal is to become a sourcing consultant and ameliorate the human rights issues in the apparel industry. These aspirations may change in the future, but my goal to be happy will never alter.