Alumni

Grad Lands Job in Technical Design at Forever 21

Kristina Dougherty graduated in 2016 with her degree in Merchandise Product Development. and is now an Assistant Technical Designer at Forever 21. We sat down with her to find out more about her work, her favorite FIDM classes, and more.

Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a young creative who loves film photography, hits the beach on the weekends, and dreams about travel whilst at my desk. I worked retail for seven years with Jack’s Surfboards before landing my first design job. I went to community college to obtain my Business Management as well as Social and Behavioral Sciences degree, then transferred to FIDM to complete my Merchandise Product Development degree. 

Tell us about your work: I am currently working at Forever 21 as an Assistant Technical Designer for lingerie. We have fittings three times a week for an hour and half each. The fit team is comprised of just me plus one other girl, and we have around 350 samples coming in a month to tag team.

How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you are doing now? I think FIDM did a great job of preparing me for this position. I felt confident in my interview test as well as coming in and starting to work on things without having to have so much explanation. One of the other girls from the swim team didn’t even know how a measuring tape was broken down, which made me feel like I had better knowledge off the bat, because of FIDM.

How did you decide on your major? I originally wanted to do Fashion Design, but went with Merchandise Product Development because of the variety of courses offered and skills covered. Being a buyer is one of my end goals, and taking retail math helped me realize that I really love the mathematical aspects of buying.

Looking back, which classes at FIDM were most valuable to you? Brand Portfolio!! It was kind of a combination of everything we learned, which was why it was my favorite. It was so awesome to complete my portfolio, look at it, and think ‘Wow, I didn’t even know how to draw a t-shirt a year ago; now I completed this.’ It’s so awesome taking your concept to completion. I also really liked Retail Math, because it’s really important to know the business side behind things. 

Any advice for current FIDM Students? Ask questions and talk to your teachers. Become best friends with them; they’re your best resources and have the most direct experience. I got both of my jobs in the industry from two teachers from FIDM, not directly, but through talking about ideas, asking what’s possible, and just being friendly.

Categories:  Merchandise Product Development Alumni Careers