Senior uses international experience, networking to prepare for fashion world
Coming from a small town, Georgia Morley has big city dreams of working in the fashion.
In the summer of 2013, the Drafter senior got a taste of those dreams when she left for New York and earned an internship for fashion designer Walter Baker. Morley worked in his showroom and did his PR work, which coincides with her double majors in apparel merchandising and public relations.
“You may call 100 people in search for a job or internship, and only have one person answer," Morley said. "Sometimes you have to cry, but then get back out there and keep chasing toward your dreams in the industry."
What was most helpful for her in getting the internship was the alumni contact list, Apparel Merchandising and Design professor Tanya Domina and Freefashioninternships.com.
“Adapt to your surroundings, jump in, meet professors early and become best friends because you will need them," Morley said.
Studying abroad can be hard for some people because they have to be so far away from home. That was not the case for Morley. She knew there was so much to experience in the world and she needed to leave Michigan if she wanted to work on a larger scale.
She lived in Italy for six weeks in 2012, taking classes and traveling the countryside. Visiting Rome, Morley said the city has a modern commercialized feel, complete with a McDonald's, while Florence is still vintage, what people expect to see when they go to Italy.
Being Assistant Professor of Apparel Merchandising and Design Carol Beard's teaching assistant at CMU sent her to Las Vegas in February for Magic Market Week.
"Ever since I met Georgia three years ago, she has always been an enthusiastic student willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done," Beard said. "She evaluates what is going on in her life and carefully makes plans to balance school work, build her skill sets and her resumé."
Morley stressed the importance of students going to events, even alone, just to meet influential people in the business.
“Connecting and networking with students and faculty members in your field will help you with future jobs and experiences,” she said.
Returning from Las Vegas, she found herself in the computer aided design lab at 4 a.m. wanting to pull her hair out.
AMD majors producing tangible items are what keep Morley going even when she wants to give up.
“Having passion and patience is key to this industry because it moves at such a fast pace,” she said. "Don't be scared, get involved, cry a lot. There is so much out there to see and experience, so take every chance and risk you can"
