Hunter Thomas

     The Apparel Textiles and Merchandising program at CWU provided me with  asolid foundation in the fashion industry by combining business, marketing, and fashion related courses. By pursuing a fashion merchandising program, I have gained a deeper understanding of the fashion industry, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a fashion industry professional. The program focuses heavily on business and marketing skills, including retail management, marketing, sales, and finance. These classes have provided for me a solid understanding of the business side of the industry. The program also tasked students with work on group projects and presentations, which helped to develop communication and collaboration skills. I was also able to put time into my design and craftsmanship skills. I specifically worked towards storytelling through my designs. The ATM program allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the industry, develop business and marketing skills, and build communication and collaboration skills, all to be better prepared to tackle the challenges of a fast-paced and ever-changing industry.