After much anticipation, April 16th rolled around and began as an exciting reason to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to learn something new. Almost a dozen lucky applicants were selected for the Tory Burch Agency visit from the Communications Department, and embarked on this valuable and fun-filled college “field trip.”
The Simmons faculty members who organized this visit included Dannie Annecston, Assistant Professor of Practice, Kat-Lombard Cook, Assistant Professor and Director of the Design and Integrated Media Track and Bethany Merlin, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, alongside Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Upon arrival, the President of the Tory Burch Foundation, Tiffany Dufu, who serves on the Simmons Board of Trustees, welcomed the group. She discussed her passion for uplifting female leadership through economic development and collaboration. Dufu shared insights on the women-centered values Simmons embraces and how they connect with Burch’s vision of supporting entrepreneurial female leadership.
After settling in, a wonderful lunch was provided, followed by a tour of the multi-floor agency. The tour guide highlighted the showrooms, creative process and timeframe of production launches. It was all quite remarkable. By seeing how large companies work through levels of management and multi-disciplinary expertise, students gained first hand insight into areas of business, marketing, fashion, and communications.
From the viewpoint of a unique, competitive global designer brand, the Tory Burch Foundation visit was an impressive opportunity to learn more about career development and post-graduate avenues. It was an exciting experience for students looking to break into the job market in various sectors, in particular, with how communications interact in high-level capacities.
The most interesting aspect of the Burch network was in the company’s commitment toward women’s empowerment and leadership. These teams of passionate individuals help craft a vision of success founded around community, by expanding women’s professional opportunities.
Next, a panel discussion was led by Dufu, with Burch’s employees in different disciplines including finance, social media and marketing. Each speaker discussed their roles at the foundation, along with their educational background and advice for professional experiences.
The panelists inspired students to be persistent in building their networks of community and engaging with the skill set they bring to the table. As individuals, we all have different strong suits and experiences that companies want to utilize. Exploring and leaning into more than one passion will serve you profoundly throughout life, in one way or another.
The networking dinner gave students the opportunity to meet incredible alumni such as Chen Shao, of the MBA in Finance and Management program and Judy Stowe, a health science graduate. All individuals who shape us are also shaped by others. Alumni and students alike shared this special moment with excitement at one of the Simmons 125th Anniversary gatherings, with a wide array of alumni to celebrate our university’s legacy.
This experience was nothing short of inspiring. By making this special occasion available to undergraduate students, it allows for both educational and professional exposure.
Though it can be nerve-wrecking to step out of your comfort zone, opportunities like these allow for outstanding connection and personal skill-building.
Surrounded by community, peers, and friends as an undergraduate student looking into the world beyond Simmons, it was clearly demonstrated how powerful shared beginnings are and how we can transform in so many different ways.
