Hello,
This is my first post on CC and I am in desperate need of some advice. I’m going to be transferring to either LSU or the University of Alabama this fall. I have a little less than two weeks to decide and I know barely anything about the University of Alabama’s Fashion Merchandising program. Is it better than LSU’s Merchandising program? I want to be a buyer after college so which one would benefit me the most? Also, if you know anything about both schools graduate programs relating to fashion or merchandising, I’d love to hear your opinions and knowledge. Anything helps because I am beyond conflicted between these two schools.
I would choose Alabama for a host of reasons.
If you don’t mind could you tell me some of them?
Location
Campus
Alumni network
Football
30 spots higher in USNWR
Hip student body for fashion
Good advice from @privatebanker
I would also think that it would be worthwhile to add a minor in business to go along with you fashion merchandising degree. Not much reason to pursue a graduate degree in fashion merchandising if you have as an undergrad major. Focus on internships and work experience and you will be all set.
@MorganKHawkins, I don’t know much about either school’s merchandising programs, but I looked at both programs’ websites. UA’s information is thorough. The sequence and breadth of classes would indicate that you would get an excellent foundation for a position in retail or wholesale apparel merchandising. I especially like the mandatory semester long internship. Presumably the department will help with placement.
LSU’s Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising website (at least as far as I could find) doesn’t provide much information about courses or internships. In order to make a comparison, I’d have to know more about how LSU’s program is structured. That the major is grouped under the College of Agriculture seems a bit odd.
For either one, before making a decision I would ask very specific questions about the kinds of companies that students have interned with or gone to work for after graduation. You may be aware that many large retail organizations have formal buyer training programs. These programs go by different names, but they are excellent foot-in-the-door opportunities.
“Merchandising” is a loosely defined position in a wide and diverse industry. A merchant’s job can entail different responsibilities at different companies, depending on the product, the size of the company and the decision making hierarchy. Some merchandising positions are more analytical (e.g. control buyers), some are more creative (e.g. product development), some encompass working closely with suppliers (e.g. sourcing) and some lean toward the marketing side of the business. From the looks of UA’s curriculum you’d get a good exposure to different aspects of the industry.
I agree with @my2caligirls that a graduate degree may not be immediately necessary. Work for a while as a merchant and see what type of product and organization appeals to you. If you do get a master’s you might want to broaden your scope to general business management, or narrow it to a specific field of merchandising.
At LSU you have to do an intern in order to graduate but that is in the summer. I do plan to double major in merchandising and business. I’m so torn between these schools it’s absolutely insane! Thanks for the advice though!