This summer, Choice Fashion & Media is hosting two University of Richmond undergraduate students for “A Day in the Life” of fashion and media recruiters. These Richmond business students will gain exclusive insight into our staffing agency and learn what its like to live and work in the Greatest City in the World. We asked our Spider Shadows to introduce themselves in a creative and professional way.
Meet Dillon:
“How did an Island boy from Hawaii end up studying business in Richmond, Virginia?” This is the question I am always asked when introducing myself to anyone. As a people-oriented and outgoing individual, I smile and am happy to share my story.
As a “Peace Corps Baby” who was raised on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, I was born with an innate curiosity to explore opportunities and a passionate drive to pursue personal growth. In high school I was content. I started working as a surf instructor in Waikiki, a dream job for many, but for me, it was the only job I had ever known. Throughout my life, I have traveled throughout various regions of South America, Asia, and Africa, but have never truly lived away from home for more than 2 months.
After graduating high school, I decided it was time to leave paradise and explore what opportunities waited beyond the horizon. I began studying Business Administration at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, the University of Richmond. Initially, adapting to a distinct Eastern lifestyle proved challenging, but over time I learned to adapt and expanded my appreciation for various ways of thinking.
Only by finding the balance between maintaining my identity and assimilating to a foreign environment, did I finally rise to the challenge. Unique in this new and ambitious work culture, I soon realized that I am not the typical East Coast Business student. I discovered that I wouldn’t be satisfied with a standard office job, regardless of how many figures it provided my bank account. In order to find happiness, I needed to find work that fosters creative thinking and values circumspect perspectives.
This internal need for an organization that harnesses the strengths of their employees and appreciates creative thinking led me to cross paths with the Fashion & Media Team at Choice Associates. This summer, I was fortunate to receive an opportunity to spend a day in hectic New York City and tour the inner-workings of Choice Associates. Not only have I forged professional bonds with the hospitable Fashion & Media Team in this short time, but I plan to continue working as one of their Campus Representative in the future.
Meet Haley:
Hi all! I’m Haley, a rising sophomore at the University of Richmond. To introduce myself a bit, I am a native New Yorker, growing up just 35 minutes outside NYC. I was raised by my native New Yorker father and Irish immigrant mother, and grew up with my older sister and younger brother. As a first generation college student, I am trying to figure out what exactly my future has in store for me.
Since childhood, I have always been interested in the glitz and the glam of New York City. Some of my earliest memories from my childhood include being the family stylist, from pairing my mother’s outfits with her shoes, to doing my sister’s hair and makeup before venturing into the city for the day.
Fast forward a few years, I realized the unique, prestigious, and tight-knit community that the University of Richmond provides was perfect for me.
I committed to the University of Richmond last spring and immediately joined several organizations that are meaningful to me. Some of these include Best Buddies, BARK, and Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Because I had the opportunity to explore and study different fields throughout my first year at Richmond, I have fortunately been able to narrow down my interests. My interests in fashion, beauty, and working with people have led me to intend on majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, along with a minor in Education and Society.
While engaging with peers in my sorority, I constantly saw and overheard seniors struggling and racing to find jobs post-graduation. Knowing I would eventually be in this predicament, I set out to see what opportunities and resources were available to me. Through Richmond’s Career Services, I was able to discover the great shadowing opportunity here at Choice Fashion & Media.
When I applied to shadow Marissa and her team at Choice Associates, I honestly did not know what to expect or what I would be doing, but I did know that Marissa and I shared several similar interests: fashion, beauty, and helping others succeed.
