Margaret Vondran, a senior Apparel Merchandise and Product Development student, is raising awareness about the importance of real-world learning opportunities for students preparing to enter the fashion and retail industries.
Vondran believes classroom education provides an important foundation, but practical experience helps students understand how the industry truly operates.
“Fashion is not just about what people see on the outside,” Vondran said. “It is about product development, merchandising, branding, retail, and how all those pieces work together.”
The need for practical preparation is significant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 2,300 fashion designer job openings are projected each year from 2024 to 2034. Retail remains one of the nation's largest employment sectors, directly employing more than 15 million Americans and supporting millions of additional jobs throughout the economy.
Vondran has experienced the value of industry exposure firsthand. As part of her apparel studies, she participated in a New York City fashion industry study tour that allowed students to meet professionals from fashion, retail, manufacturing, merchandising, media, and brand strategy organisations.
“That trip helped me see how many career paths exist in fashion,” Vondran said. “Every company had different roles, but they were all connected by the same goal of bringing products to people.”
The experience included visits to major fashion companies, showrooms, and industry organisations, providing students with a behind-the-scenes look at how products move from concept to consumer.
In addition to her studies, Vondran has gained experience as an assistant buyer and store manager. Those roles helped her develop practical knowledge in inventory management, customer engagement, merchandising, and retail operations.
“You learn quickly that small details matter,” Vondran said. “Where a product is placed, how it is presented, and how customers respond can all make a difference.”
Vondran has also worked in ecommerce, runway, fashion, and product development modelling. Those experiences gave her a deeper understanding of visual branding and how products are communicated to consumers.
“Modelling helped me understand brand presentation from another angle,” she said. “Every detail tells part of the story.”
Drawing from these experiences, Vondran is encouraging students to seek internships, industry study tours, student showcases, retail experience, and mentorship opportunities whenever possible. She also encourages industry professionals to support emerging talent through guidance, networking, and educational opportunities.
“Students need more than encouragement,” Vondran said. “They need chances to ask questions, make connections, and learn how the industry works in real life.”
Call to Action
Margaret Vondran encourages students and aspiring fashion professionals to actively seek opportunities to gain real-world experience. Attend local fashion events, participate in student showcases, connect with industry professionals, explore retail and merchandising roles, and remain open to learning from every experience.
“Every experience teaches you something,” Vondran said. “The more willing you are to learn, the more prepared you become for the future.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Margaret Vondran
Margaret Vondran is a senior Apparel Merchandise and Product Development student based in Arkansas. Her experience includes retail management, assistant buying, ecommerce modelling, runway modelling, fashion modelling, product development modelling, participation in the Enclothe Fashion Show, and industry study experiences in New York City. She is focused on building a career that combines creativity, merchandising, product innovation, and business strategy within the fashion industry.
Contact:
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