AiMag: When did you graduate High School? Emily: In June 2009 AiMag: How did you choose what career you wanted to be apart in? Emily: I have had dreams of working in the field of fashion since I can remember. During high school I changed my mind to psychology but after taking AP Psych and visiting some schools, I realized that wasn’t the field for me. There really was not much questioning that fashion was what I wanted to pursue especially after psychology was out of the pictures. I fell in love with Chicago and the fashion there. My senior year I applied to and was accepted to the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. What previous schools have you attended? Saint Peter’s grade school in Kirkwood, John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Manchester, and I spent two years at The Illinois Insitute of Art-Chicago. How did you pick The Art Institute? I originally choose the Art Institute location in Chicago after hearing about it my senior year. The school seemed like a good fit for me and everyone I spoke with over the phone was really helpful. A big part in my decision to go to the school was also the location. Moving to Chicago and studying fashion had always been a dream of mine that I wanted to fulfill. What did you expect to get out of going there? A great education in Fashion Marketing and Management. A firm understanding of the field in order to posses the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed. An experience living among thousands of other people all expressing themselves in their own unique way. Positive impact on my education and understanding due to living in a city full of fashion. How did you end up at Ai STL? I decided to come back home when the new school opened. The financial burden of living in the city alone with the constant cold was getting to me. I am glad I made the decision to go there and come back. I would not be who I am today. What were some overall challenges attending you previous schools verses Ai STL? At the previous Ai assignments were much lengthier, I remember having to go to the Kinkos in the school and print out a 20 page booklet made in InDesign for a class. However, I don’t know that that was a challenge. If anything the assignments at that
school prepared me for life and taught me a great amount. The biggest challenge for me was facing the cold weather. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? I am extremely pro active when it comes to things I am passionate about. I have an open mind and a readiness to work with others. I pay attention great attention to detail and I am generally a positive person. On the other hand, I can be a procrastinator and forgetful. I often have trouble waking up to alarms‌ (laughs). Do you have a career goal(s) in mind? And how do you plan to get there? I want to work with Fair Trade artisans and organizations. I am currently volunteering at The Bridge Fair Trade Market on Main Street (in St. Charles, MO). Next quarter I’ll start interning there. I want to make a difference; I believe that making the world a better place is just as great of a passion to me as fashion is. I am going to continue to keep networking, interning, and taking advantage of opportunities to meet my dreams. What advice would you give a future Ai student, or college student? Going to class is a smart thing to do (laughs) and it really does affect your grade. Make sure you really want to get into your field and have the dedication. Be passionate. Believe in yourself and follow the steps towards your happiness rather than someone else’s/