My Transformational Experience at The Fashion Institute of Technology by Adi

My Transformational Experience at The Fashion Institute of Technology by Adi - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

As I begin the journey of completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Business Management this year, my goals and career path are illuminated with clarity, as I have chosen to specialize in Buying & Planning, and plan to return post-graduation to complete my Master of Professional Studies in Global Fashion Management. This path will provide me with the necessary tools to embark on my dream career, as a Fashion Director for an international brand. Ultimately, within my career, I plan to establish ground for myself as a director of ethically produced, sustainably sourced, and inclusive fashion. My parents, who are first generation immigrants, have always been my inspiration – reminding me constantly to be willing to take major risks in investing in oneself, and to always be willing to see my prospective industry from a global, open-minded, perspective.

At F.I.T., my experience as a top club member of the NRFSA has lead me to attend the NRF Big Show, represent the Fashion Institute at the High School of Fashion Industries’ Career Day, and receive the Rising Star award. Upon receiving the honor of being on the Dean’s List, I decided to further my involvement with F.I.T. as I achieved the role of a Resident Assistant. I have found the position to be one of the most developmental, formative experiences here at the Fashion Institute. Being able to connect with and support the growing community of F.I.T. has brought me fulfillment that I could’ve never foreseen. After having completed this course abroad, I know I will be inspired to share my experiences with my residents and peers, who seek me for advice and guidance.

Fashion Forecasting, Product Development, Fashion Merchandising and Strategies of Business Communications are just a handful of the enriching courses that I have been able to experience as an FBM major. Being able to taste a variety of aspects of the fashion industry has expanded my palette to a world of opportunity, and has encouraged me to continue to explore my passions in the global sphere. Currently, I am working as a Visual Merchandiser at the Alexander Wang Global Flagship in SoHo. Being able to work alongside the Global Visual Merchandiser within this role has allowed me to experience both retail and corporate angles of luxury fashion, and though this experience has felt like a classroom outside of the classroom, I am enthused to participate in even more real-world applications on a global scale throughout this course!

My intrigue in the way fashion advances and shifts around the world is what brought me to New York City and more importantly to F.I.T., as it is a center of cultural diversity and global innovation. However, my hunger to explore the distinctions that season the fashion capitals of the world is ravenous. This summer, I am eager to participate in the Study Abroad program, FM 226: International Buying & Marketing. I simply cannot wait to be able to peek into London, Berlin and Florence from an insider-lens, learning about how fashions are established in different parts of the world. If I am awarded this opportunity, this scholarship will go directly to this program, as I know that this course will be vital in my career as a Fashion Business Management student, and in my future career as a Fashion Director as it will broaden my perspectives in unexpected ways.