Curtice Y'Vonne Barrow is a finance major at Austin Peay State University who aims to become a fashion buyer or merchandiser. Her short-term goal is to intern at a fashion retail company. She has outlined a job search plan targeting retail, customer service, and administrative roles. She has decided to pursue an Assistant Merchant in Training position at Charming Charlie and outlines her qualifications for the role. Her networking plan involves contacting three contacts, including her finance professor and a boutique owner, to help reach her career goals. She provides a detailed timeline of her plans from Fall 2016 through Summer 2017, which includes applying for jobs, maintaining contacts, graduating, and hopefully starting an Assistant Merchant role.

1. Networking and Job Search Plan
Professional Development Seminar

2. Introduction
 Curtice Y’Vonne Barrow
 Austin Peay State University
 Finance Major
 Long-Term Career Goal
 To become a Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser
 Short-Term Career Goal
 To intern for a fashion retail company
 Reasons why you should hire me
 I’m a relator, a high achiever, constant learner, I
think and plan strategically, and I am futuristic
– I foresee optimism in what is to be

3. Job Search
Pathway to Short-Term Career Goal
 Job Types
 Retail
 Customer Service
 Administrative
 Courses
 Finance
 Retail Management
 Marketing
Three Job Postings
 Financial Analyst Information
 Charlotte Russe
 Merchandiser Planner
 New York & Company
 Assistant Merchant in Training
 Charming Charlie

4. Which job posting have
you decided to pursue?
I decided to pursue…
Charming Charlie’s
Assistant Merchant
in Training

6. Charming Charlie
Educational Requirements
 Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent experience
 (No particular field of study mentioned)
Skills Required
 1-3 Years relevant experience
 Customer service oriented
 Strong mathematical capabilities
 Passion to understand and predict fashion and product
trends
 Effective follow up skills
 Effective oral and written communication skills
 Excellent organization and reasoning skills
 Acute attention to detail
 Keen ability to thrive in a fast paced, multi-tasking
environment
 Advanced proficiency in MS Office: Excel, Word
= Requirements met
= Requirement not met
*I have not applied for opportunity because I am waiting until I get closer to
graduation

7. Networking
Networking
Circle
Dr. Michael
Phillips
Ms. Shonda
B.
Ms.
Danielle
Glazier

8. Contact 1
 Dr. Michael Phillips
 Knowledgeable in Finance and has large circle of connections
 Finance professor at Austin Peay State University
 Request – Ask if he knows anyone within this career field and if he would kindly introduce me
 Setting up an appointment to stop by his office, discuss my future while drinking coffee
 phillipsm@apsu.edu

9. Contact 2
 Ms. Shonda B.
 Owner of Accessorize Your Life Boutique in Clarksville, TN
 Former hairstylist
 Request – to shadow her while she selects inventory for her boutique
 Contact her via phone, prior to visiting her boutique
 (855) 272-6817 or (931) 802-6550
 DM via Instagram (@alyboutique)

10. Contact 3
 Ms. Danielle Glazier
 Senior Buyer/Merchandising Manager of jewelry and watches at Charming Charlie located in
Houston, Texas
 Connected on LinkedIn
 Request – phone or online interview to get to know her and how she got to her current position
 Send message via LinkedIn or email
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-glazier-4324106
 (551) 206-4900
 DGlazier234@gmail.com

11. Timeline: Fall 2016
 August 22, 2016 – Road to graduation begins
 September 5, 2016 – Launch my online blog called “Commerce Closet: Where Finance Meets
Fashion”
 September 5, 2016 – contact networking circle to set up appointments and interviews
 October 9-11, 2016 – meet with networking circle
 November 11, 2016 – Go shopping in Charming Charlie, Veterans Day Sale!
 November 29-Dec 1, 2016 – Prepare for final exams
 December 2-8, 2016 – Take final exams
 The remaining month of December, attend career and networking fairs where Charming Charlie or
similar companies will be represented

12. Timeline: Spring 2017
 January 17, 2017 – Classes begin “still on the road to graduation”
 February 12, 2017 – Apply for any open Assistant Merchant in Training positions
 February 22, 2017 – Verify I have applied for May 2017 graduation
 March 5-11, 2017 – if any interviews have been scheduled, travel and attend them
 March 25, 2017 – check status of positions applied for
 March 31, 2017 – contact networking circle to inform them how I’m doing
 April 2, 2017 – spend a day praying I land a position as an Assistant Merchant in training
 April 5, 2017 – attend Nashville area career and networking fair
 April 14, 2017 – Shop at Charming Charlie, “I’m sure there is some kind of sale”
 April 25-27, 2017 – prepare for final exams
 April 28-May 4, 2017 – take final exams
 May 5, 2017 – graduate from APSU with a degree in Finance

13. Timeline: Post Graduation
 Summer 2017 – I hope to be leaving Clarksville, TN to pursue my short-term career goal becoming
an Assistant Merchant in Training for Charming Charlie

14. Thank You!
Dr. Damron,
Thank you for offering this course to the College of
Business students of Austin Peay State University.
Because of this course, you have helped each of us gain
a better understanding of our talents and strengths and
how we can apply them to our everyday life. It will truly
be beneficial! Once again, thank you!
Curtice Y’Vonne Barrow