Catie Barrett

Class of 2025 | Fashion Merchandising

 

Internship Placement: Store Merchandising and Management Intern, Dillard’s Corporate, Fort Worth, Texas

My time at OSU and within the Department of Design & Merchandising was filled with great opportunities and valuable learning experiences that have helped shape my career path.
Through my pre-internship course during my junior year, I discovered that I wanted to work in a corporate environment. I signed up for a mock interview with Dillard’s, through the course, which led to a formal interview process and ultimately an offer for a store merchandising and management internship. That experience as an intern opened the door to my current role as an Assistant Buyer for the e-commerce division at Dillard’s in Fort Worth, Texas. I truly believe I would not be where I am today without the guidance, support, and opportunities provided by my professors and the Design & Merchandising Department at OSU. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I gained during my time within the Design & Merchandising department and continue to stay loyal & true! Go Pokes!

 

 

Abby Burnham

Class of 2025 | Fashion Merchandising

 

Internship Placement: Cotton On Group, Geelong, Australia

I had the unique opportunity to work with Cotton On Group, a global fashion retailer based in Australia. During my time with Cotton On, I was able to gain industry insights by observing and working hands-on with members from multiple teams. Whether it was sitting in trend meetings brainstorming key trends for the seasons or working hands-on with the visual merchandising teams, I was able to gain a well-rounded perspective on the fashion industry and all the work that goes into the products being sold. What I enjoyed most about my internship was discovering the wide range of career opportunities within the fashion industry and hearing about the incredible growth and journeys of individuals at Cotton On, both within the company and in the industry as a whole. This opportunity with Cotton On has strengthened my skills, broadened my understanding of the industry, and inspired me to keep on pursuing my career in the fashion industry with confidence and excitement!

 

 

Hollin Level

Class of 2025 | Fashion Merchandising

 

Internship Placement: Assistant Buyer Intern, Kohl’s Corporate, Milwaukee, WI

I was placed on the fashion bedding team in the home department and I gained hands-on experience with the buying process, from analyzing trends and sales data to collaborating with merchandising, planning, and product development teams. It was really interesting to actually see lessons I had learned in the classroom come to life this summer through processes like navigating tariffs and the production and marketing processes. I also had opportunities to grow through professional development sessions and volunteering. Overall, it was a really rewarding experience that strengthened my analytical and collaboration skills while giving me a broader perspective on the retail industry.

 

 

 

Georgia Matthews

Class of 2026 | Fashion Merchandising

 

Internship Placement: Merchandising Intern, Ann Taylor Corporate, New York, NY

My internship at Ann Taylor’s corporate office in New York City was an incredible and insightful experience that allowed me to take on many of the same tasks as an Assistant Merchant and work closely with senior merchandisers. One of my favorite experiences was assisting with Category Reviews, where I helped fit models and present future assortments to leadership, seeing how each detail was perfected to align with Ann Taylor’s customer. This experience gave me a clear vision of my future career path and confirmed my passion for merchandising. My coursework in Fashion Merchandising at Oklahoma State prepared me well with the technical, communication, and collaboration skills I used daily, and I’m incredibly grateful for how this internship helped me grow both professionally and personally.