Katie Class, FSF '15 Alumni | CHANEL

My summer with YMA prepared me for my future career and gave me the opportunity to learn from successful executive leaders.

After winning the YMA FSF scholarship, I knew I wanted to pair the summer YMA curriculum with an internship in NYC. After interviewing and applying to many internship positions, I was offered a buying and planning internship at Chanel in the watches and fine jewelry department. Looking back, my internship was greatly enhanced by the advice and knowledge I received from the YMA events, speakers and mentors.

 One of the highlights of my YMA experience, was the "Breakfast with the Boss" series. We were exposed to several different companies and their leaders. This broadened my horizons and gave me a better understanding of all the opportunities in the fashion industry which helped shape my personal career goals. I left each breakfast inspired and more motivated to reach my full potential as a professional. Each executive was so welcoming and genuinely interested in sharing their knowledge with us.

 I also enjoyed all of the networking events and being paired with mentors who were young alumni as well as individuals with established careers.

Lastly, I want to thank the YMA team for all of your support. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such a great organization and look forward to giving back in the future.

Juno Zhu, FSF '14 & '15 Alumni | Men's Wearhouse

I graduated from University of Southern California in May 2015. It's almost been four months since I started my full-time job at Men's Wearhouse after graduation. I work in the merchandising department for Jos. A. Bank as an allocation specialist.

Jos. A. Bank was recently acquired by Men's Wearhouse. The company has just moved to the West Coast in Bay Area and started a new team. I'm excited to be part of the new team and getting involved in all these projects. In addition to allocation, I get to help planners and buyers with multiple tasks. It's like working for a start-up, and I'm learning new things on a daily basis. I also appreciate the family-oriented working culture at the company. Prior to my full-time job, I also held internships at BCBG, Halston and NYDJ. Besides my work, I have also launched a blog to provide Chinese students career advice in the retail industry.

YMA FSF plays an important role in my college life and my pursuit in the retail industry. Growing up in a city called Hangzhou in China, I never imagined that I would be working with a top U.S. retailer after college. Through YMA’s multiple case competitions, and talking to successful professionals at YMA events, I've become more determined to pursue my passions in the retail business. I'm very fortunate to have YMA mentors who are always there for me to provide genuine advice and help, especially throughout the job searching process. The summer "Breakfast with Boss" sessions were also inspiring. Though I was not in NY this summer, I have been continually motivated by those talks. I really appreciate everyone’s commitment and contribution to this great program!

"Growing up in a city called Hangzhou in China, I never imagined that I would be working with a top U.S. retailer after college...I'm very fortunate to have YMA mentors who are always there for me to provide genuine advice and help, especially throughout the job searching process."

Heidi Liou, FSF '14 Alumni | Macy's

As I take a moment to reflect on the past year, I think back to the night of the Fashion Scholarship Fund's annual Awards Dinner. I was one of the top 8 Geoffrey Beene award semi-finalists, standing on stage with sweaty palms, waiting to hear the results of the scholarship competition. That moment, regardless of the outcome, was the first time I had every felt proud of myself. For once, I wasn't criticizing myself or comparing myself to others. I knew that I had grown tremendously through the journey, and that the result shouldn't determine whether or not I was happy. I gave the project my all, and I felt so supported standing amongst strangers in the giant banquet hall. To me, the Fashion Scholarship Fund means continual growth; being a part of the group allows me to constantly be inspired by the speakers and mentors, to grow in my career, and to grow in self-compassion. 

For the past four months, I've been traveling. I wanted to experience different cultures, and to see how I could use fashion to change the world. When I first joined the YMA FSF, I met a lady who introduced me to the concept of sustainable fashion. Ever since, I have been adamantly networking with and supporting startups that have a focus on community development, saving water, and reducing waste. It's given me a more global mindset to use in my new job, as a product assistant in Macy's Executive Development Program. I am ecstatic to begin my career, and wherever life takes me, I am looking forward to continual growth.