COURSEWORK

FASH330 Merchandise Planning

One of my favorite classes that I have had the opportunity to take is merchandise planning with Professor Sheng Lu. I talk highly about this course to anyone in the program that I conversate with; sharing my love for the concepts learned in this class. I am a math-oriented person and this class allowed me to demonstrate my skills. The course focuses on computer applications related to mathematical concepts and calculations used in developing merchandising budgets; a skill I will take with me into a future role. Additionally, I used spreadsheets to develop merchandise plans for sales, inventories, markdowns, shrinkage, receipts, open-to-buy, gross margin, and many more important concepts in buying. This class allowed me to strengthen my skills in Microsoft Excel, utilizing IF statements, VLOOKUPS, and conditional formatting as well as basic formula calculations.

FASH420 Assortment Planning, Sourcing, and Buying

During my time at the University of Delaware, this was one of the most valuable and hand-on classes I took. Throughout the semester, this class had a huge project in which we worked as a team of buyers for a department in an industry simulation. I was assigned the Men's Activewear category to buy for, and I learned how to use retail math and trend research to create thorough sales and assortment plans. The team component of the project taught me how to collaborate effectively with others and listen to others' ideas. Additionally, the oral presentation allowed me to utilize what I learned in public speaking and apply the concepts; prepping me for future professional meetings. Because I've always wanted to be a buyer, this course offered me the hard and soft skills I'll need to achieve success in this profession. I felt that the class prepared me to flourish in a future career by allowing me to create assortment plans, conduct trend analysis, and understand negotiation skills; all important aspects of a buyer's role. Overall, this course provided me with "real world" experience in assortment planning decisions.

FASH455 Global Apparel Trade and Sourcing

I had the pleasure of taking this course with Professor Sheng Lu as well. The class goes in depth about the textile and apparel industry on an global scale, specifically how trade agreements have impacted both the industry and the many countries involved. I analyzed the unique trade policies for textiles and apparel and understood how they affect various segments of the industry including manufacturing and retailing. Some of the trade policies I gained more understanding of were NAFTA and CAFTA-DR as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both. I also learned the major development trends and competitive status of the U.S textile and apparel sectors. This class was discussion based with papers, case studies, and blog responses where we could share our own thoughts and opinions on certain topics. Overall, this course allowed me to look at the fashion industry from a different perspective and how there is more depth to the sector. The concepts learned in the class are the bones to the fashion and apparel industry and we need to think more cautiously about certain issues.

BUAD471 Advertising and Media Management

Although this course is not in the fashion department, it was required to take for my major as well as my minor. I love that the different programs at the University of Delaware overlap courses, so that I can apply what I learn in certain classes to others. The curriculum for the fashion merchandising major includes several courses outside of the fashion department which allows for an expansion of knowledge outside of fashion related courses. Specifically, in advertising and media management, I saw many concepts I have already learned in other classes as well as new material. I gained an understanding in a variety of topics including determining advertising objectives, media planning and media characteristics, media-market measurements and media purchasing,: selecting campaign themes and developing creative strategy for traditional and electronic markets; controlling advertising expenditures; the impact of regulations as well as social and economic effects of advertising. Overall, I gained valuable insight into the profession and can now incorporate advertising concepts into my other coursework.