Minneapolis Career Fair - October 2006
(as almost always, photography by Dr.
Mitchell D. Strauss)
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The possibility for this trip
emerged when Amy Heinick requested funding from the College of Social and
Behavior Sciences to fill a bus and attend the career fair in Minneapolis.
The decision to fund a bus full of students for a (long) day trip was
supported by Dean Julia Wallace.
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The day began for most attendees
around 3:00 am so that they could arrive at the bus debarkation point for a
4:30 am departure. Obviously, this was a major commitment on the part of the
students to get to the career fair which began at 8:30 am that morning.
Below you can see some photographs of the bus trip so early that morning.
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Whether sleeping or awake, the
students made the best of their time during the four hour trip:
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Never ruffled, Dr. Strauss looks
fine in camel hair at 5:00 am and students help each other make last minute
preparations before arrival at the fair:
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Looking professional the students make it
to the career fair right on time. After registration and breakfast the
students heard a presentation from Michael Alexin, Senior Vice President of
Target's Product Design and Development Division. Since our UNI program has
a key focus on product design and development, this was an exceptionally
important and exciting presentation. Mr. Alexin focused on the importance of
innovation, imagination and creativity as the lifeblood of a viable
organization. One of Dr. Strauss' favorite quotes from Mr. Alexin was "Art
is for the artist, but design is for the customer!" A central key for
effective product development!
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| The morning presentations were excellent. We heard
presentations about the product develop process from another pair of lead
Target product developers. In addition, the students heard a presentation
comparing and contrasting the old and new models for buyers in the textile
and apparel industry.
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| The luncheon banquet included a lecture on how best
to take advantage of career networking opportunities:
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| During the afternoon session, the students had an
opportunity to visit small group sessions with industry leaders and to have
their resumes reviewed:
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| And of course, one of the highlights of any visit to
a large urban center is an opportunity for fabric sourcing on the way home.
We are sure to see these fabrics again on the runway of our Spring Design
Show! Here the students descend upon S.R. Harris Fabric Outlet:
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| And finally, a couple of wrap-up trip highlights.
Below you can see that UNI Senior Laurie Hinz (second from right) astonishes
students from the University of Minnesota with the quality of her portfolio
and Dr. Strauss finds common ancestral roots with fabric czar Sidney Harris.
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