BS in Fashion Merchandising & Management
At a Glance
Program
Organizations & Internships
In addition to unique, cutting-edge courses and projects, Jefferson Fashion Merchandising & Management students earn fashion industry-related extracurricular opportunities to broaden their knowledge and experience. Fashion Merchandising & Management students can get invaluable real-world experience, make industry connections and practice doing what they love in the following clubs and organizations:
- Fashion Apparel Merchandising Experience (FAME)
The purpose of Fashion Apparel Merchandising Experience (FAME) is to coordinate experiential learning tours, network with industry representatives and focus on goal-setting. Each year, FAME plans activities such as fashion SWAP markets, organizes trips to New York, partners with career planning wardrobe services and hosts events to connect students with internships and job opportunities. The members of FAME gain incredible work experience through the club.
- Black Retail Action Group (BRAG)
One of nine chapters nationwide, the Black Retail Action Group is a non-profit organization that prepares and educates professionals, entrepreneurs and students of color for executive leadership in retail, fashion and related industries. Through workshops, networking events and speaking engagements, scholarships and summer internship programs, BRAG has been focused on providing professional development opportunities for members for over 40 years. Visit BRAG TJU on Facebook.
Student Intern Perspective
"I had the opportunity to conceptualize a retail space for an underrepresented market in the fashion industry in Retail, Strategy & Structure. I utilized that project to gain an internship at Bath & Body Works in Product and Fragrance Development. I was instrumental in many functions of the product development process from ideation to execution. I also enrolled in Product Development & Innovation during my junior year. I conducted market research for two well-known fragrances analyzing customer feedback as well as conceptualized my own fragrance line in an extensive internship project!
"In 2024, I was a Merchandise Buying Intern for QVC, working in the Apparel department. Some of my daily tasks included communicating with vendors regarding sample submission, to quality assurance, as well as evaluating and monitoring on-air items to make sure they were prepared for their airdate."
—Alayna Norville '24
After Commencement, Alayna will begin her career as an Assistant Buyer at Boscov’s.
Companies Where Students Work
Fashion Merchandising & Management students gain extensive industry experience during their educational journey at Thomas Jefferson University. Through real-world projects, industry-connected faculty and internships, students build careers in some of the top fashion companies. Philadelphia is a central location for local companies such as URBN, Burlington, QVC and Five Below. It is not uncommon for students to take the train or bus to New York to participate in internships with companies such as:
|
|
Industry Affiliations
Sakura: Sakura is an organization that has events and contests themed around traditional Japanese culture and materials. Over the years, tours, workshops and experiential learning programs were organized to learn about traditional culture and industry. Furthermore, they arrange study abroad and internship programs both domestically and internationally. They are responsible for developing marketing strategies to showcase diverse talent while highlighting traditional Japanese materials worldwide. The company interfaces with design and product development in collaboration with overseas creatives to improve and localize products. Students oversee fashion shows for the organization and assist the organization at trade shows in New York City.
National Retail Federation: The National Retail Federation has represented retail for over a century. The National Retail Federation organization passionately stands up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. As the nation’s largest private-sector employer, retail contributes $3.9 trillion to the annual GDP. No other industry comes close. Wherever the industry goes, the nation follows — so we’re committed to collaborating with the National Retail Federation.
The National Retail Federation Foundation has a mission to connect people to life-changing careers in retail. One of our most impactful offerings is the National Retail Federation Foundation Student program which is designed to help students accelerate their career by connecting them to insights from retail professionals. From the wide variety of career paths to how to make the most out of internships and entry-level roles to the skills that companies need, more than 1000 attendees from universities nationwide attend the National Retail Federation Foundation Student program eager to learn from industry professionals and connect with recruiters for job opportunities. Our Fashion Merchandising & Management program also participates in grant and scholarship competitions with the organization.