{"id":17917,"date":"2021-12-03T07:50:28","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T12:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=17917"},"modified":"2024-07-19T13:33:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T17:33:40","slug":"wilson-college-experience-makes-students-dream-job-at-gap-inc-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2021\/12\/wilson-college-experience-makes-students-dream-job-at-gap-inc-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilson College Experience Makes Student’s Dream Job at Gap Inc. Reality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

By Sarah Stone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driven. That may be the best word to describe graduating senior Hannah Stoltz. By the time she entered high school, Stoltz had decided she wanted to work in the fashion industry. By the time she started her senior year at the Wilson College of Textiles, she\u2019d already secured a position at her dream company, Gap Inc. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGap\u2019s whole portfolio of brands has been with me through every stage of life, whether that was Old Navy back-to-school shopping, or the iconic Gap denim jeans, or working out in Athleta apparel, or going to Banana Republic and buying an outfit for your first job,\u201d the <\/span>fashion and textile management<\/span><\/a> student says. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next month, this North Carolina native will head to New York City to begin her role as an assistant merchandiser for Gap Women. In August, she\u2019ll move to San Francisco for Gap Inc.’s Rotational Management Program (RMP). While attending what\u2019s referred to as the \u201cHarvard of retail,\u201d she\u2019ll receive training and earn experience in each facet of the retail industry and all of Gap\u2019s brands. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says the Wilson College of Textiles provided her with the knowledge, experience and connections to launch her career at one of the world\u2019s most recognized brands, plus memories to hold on to for a lifetime. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wilson for life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Stoltz, studying anywhere but the Wilson College of Textiles was out of the question. She planned to work in fashion, she loved NC State and she says she knew the Wilson College had an impressive program. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eager to experience the college early, Stoltz attended the <\/span>Summer Textile Exploration Program<\/span><\/a> (STEP) the summer before her senior year of high school. Initially, she had dreams of studying fashion design, but by the end of the week, she had discovered the fashion and textile management program and knew it was the perfect fit for her. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI saw that opportunity and I fell in love with it,\u201d she remembers. \u201cSo when I got in, it was a no-brainer.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From her first semester on campus, Stoltz found classes that engaged her as well as a mentor that inspired her. She tried to learn all she could from <\/span>Associate Professor Delisia Matthews<\/span><\/a>\u2019 industry experience and research. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe’s very inspiring. I remember sitting in her class and thinking, \u2018Oh my gosh. What she did in the industry is something I could do one day,\u2019\u201d Stoltz, who chose a concentration in <\/span>brand management and marketing<\/span><\/a>, says. \u201cShe was always the person I could depend on and ask for advice or to look over resumes or projects.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask Stoltz what she\u2019ll miss the most about NC State and she\u2019ll answer quickly and confidently: the people.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFriends, faculty, everyone here is very supportive,\u201d she says. \u201cThe connections you make are so valuable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also cherishes both the community she\u2019s built and the leadership skills she\u2019s gained through her time with NC State Student Government. Stoltz represented the college\u2019s interests as a senator and then as a member of the executive cabinet. She and her brother even ran for student body president and vice president together. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hannah
Hannah Stoltz attends an NC State Student Government meeting.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThat was something I never imagined doing,\u201d she says. \u201cPushing myself to do all of these things that I never would\u2019ve imagined doing before NC State has really built my confidence and has empowered me to be ready for life after college.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making memories and connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of Stoltz\u2019s favorite memories outside of the classroom also advanced her career.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She counts her participation in the <\/span>National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation\u2019s Student Program<\/span><\/a> as the most impactful experience of her college career. The Wilson College nominated Stoltz as a Rising Star Scholar and gave her a scholarship to participate in the three-day-long conference in New York City.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was able to meet so many different retail executives and have interviews with them one-on-one and go to company headquarters,\u201d she says. “It was the most amazing experience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hannah
Hannah Stoltz made valuable connections during the National Retail Federation Foundation’s Student Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This time at the NRF also played a crucial role in Stoltz\u2019s post-graduation plans. It\u2019s where she connected with Gap Inc. executives and became inspired to apply for an <\/span>internship position<\/span><\/a>, which then led to a spot in its RMP. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nine-month-long program introduces entry-level employees to each of the company\u2019s departments before placing them in a full-time position. Ultimately, it aims to develop Gap\u2019s next leaders. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA lot of people who have gone through RMP are now senior executives with the company,\u201d Stoltz says. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s eager to help the company move fashion forward — for everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe way the entire company values sustainability, gender equality and diversity, they’re doing amazing things. And I think that’s the biggest thing for me,\u201d Stoltz says. \u201cI want to make sure I have a purpose and make a difference in this world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n