Alumni
Grad Lands Job at Beauty Brand Fresh After Partnering With Them in Capstone Course
During her senior year, Beauty Business Management Grad Sofia Pelletiere had the opportunity to team with NY-based beauty brand Fresh in her capstone coursework. Through that pairing, she was able to network with brand insiders and find a position that aligned with her post-graduation goals.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Sofia Pelletiere attended Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA. She earned her A.A in Beauty Marketing & Product Development and graduated this year with her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Beauty Business Management. She started her new job at Fresh in July. We caught up with Sofia to learn more.
Tell us about Fresh and your position there. What are your responsibilities? I am a Global Product Development Coordinator at Fresh; a science-backed and sensorial-driven skincare, body, and fragrance brand. I support the product development team with providing formula feedback, organizing and tracking sample submissions, conducting competitive research on ingredients and claims, and assisting in the overall development process of new products and future innovation.
How did FIDM, and your experience in your senior capstone course, help prepare you for your career? For my senior year capstone course at FIDM, my classmates and I were partnered with the Fresh team to develop a digital marketing strategy that aligned with the Gen Z consumer, especially analyzing consumer behavior on TikTok. This project not only prepared me for a career in the beauty industry, but it also was the perfect networking opportunity for me to connect with the Fresh team and explore career opportunities post grad. The experience of working and collaborating with a successful beauty brand allowed me to understand real world scenarios and receive constructive, yet measurable feedback. I also learned so much about the brand during the 6-month duration of the project that it was such a seamless transition from being a student to starting my job as a coordinator. My four years studying at FIDM truly led up to the moment we had the chance to present our final capstone projects live in NYC. I had the chance to demonstrate my expertise and knowledge learned throughout the past four years which then really opened the door for me when it came to starting my dream job post grad.
Anything else you’d like to share? It is interesting that although my capstone project was centered around marketing, I still managed to land a job within a department that I am extremely passionate and most excited about. I think it is important to communicate what you want out of experience early on as it can lead to greater opportunities down the road. It’s also a chance for you to say ‘yes’ and to embrace every experience you have as you never know what can come from it.
Keep up with Sofia on Instagram @sofiapelletiere.
Categories: Beauty Business Management Alumni
