Kathleen asked Jennifer Polivka, Nike

AddedThursday, February 1, 2018 at 4:38 PM

How do I combine engineering and fashion and work my way up in the industry?

Currently, I am a junior mechanical engineering student and am working towards finding a job/internship/co-op dealing with fashion design. I want to apply my engineering and creative design skills and I believe Nike would be a great place to pitch some of my ideas. In the past, I have taken a fashion and design class, material science class, and am currently in a material selection course which directly relate to working in this industry but I also know how to relate my thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and many other classes to this industry. I realize many people are trying to land a job at this company, so I was wondering if you have any advice for someone trying to work their way up in the industry.
  • Answered Friday, February 9, 2018 at 1:54 PM
    I would say: Keep looking for those internships and co-ops!  Work experience, even if it's peripheral from the fashion design + engineering that you are talking about, is worthwhile.  The past work experiences that my peers and I have had is SUPER broad -- medical devices, electronics, construction equipment, you name it.  It's all been helpful towards understanding how design of product (especially public facing, mass-market items) is related to sound engineering decisions.  So don't narrow your search too much too soon!