Author Archives: Samantha

Commuting Tips

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Hi everyone!

As a commuter student for the past 3 years, I’ve found ways to make the trip as efficient as possible! While I do miss walking across the street to class (FIT’s freshman dorms are as close as you can get), having my own place has been great. Here are some tips for making the best of your commute.

Rent a locker

Especially when you have loads of supplies for pattern making classes or whatever else you might need, having a locker is really great. Bring a padlock to your department’s secretary and fill out the form, $10 for one semester and $20 for both! I loved having a locker sophomore year, when I had loads of supplies I didn’t want to take back and forth or forget.

Podcasts and Audio Books

I’ve always been a big fan of podcasts, and they are a great way to entertain yourself on a long train ride. Find ones on topics you’re covering in class, or use them to stay up to date on the news and world events before class. Similarly, you can get audiobook versions of most books out today. While you might not be able to listen to your textbooks, readings for your liberal arts classes might be available.

Write essays on your phone

My number 1 tip – typing up work on your phone. Sounds silly, but sometimes for short answer questions on Blackboard or similar short form writing answers it is an easy way to use that time spent on the subway or train. I usually email myself any prompts I need to write, and reply to the email on my phone with my answer. Sometimes I’ll write essays at the laundromat this way. After finishing the rough draft on my phone, I email it to myself to proof read and post on my computer.

Check the night train schedules

FIT offers night classes, some which end at 9:20 or as late as 10:20pm. The MTA sometimes does night work, which means your train access might be limited! Days I have night classes I try to do a quick scan to see if my train might be out of service when I get out of class, or when the last train will depart. This way I can figure out how I’m getting home!

Commuting hasn’t always been fun (especially after a long day) but the benefits for me have outweighed the time spent on the train.

What do you do during your commute? Leave comment below!
Sam

Reducing Your Waste

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Hi everyone,

Inspired by the recent climate marches around the world? Here are some ways you can start to make a change! Little acts add up.

Buffalo Exchange on 26th between 7th and 6th & Crossroads.

Going to fashion school, your tastes might change a bit faster than you would expect! Instead of shopping brand new (and paying up) try selling your clothes at places like Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads. They have an option to get store credit in exchange for your items, so you can pick out new pieces while recycling your old ones into a more circular system.

Grocery bags

Plastic or paper, the best is reusable! I swear by my reusable shopping bags, mostly because I like being able to carry them on my shoulder. However if I do end up needing paper or plastic, I try to make sure they get a second life – paper bags make great receptacles for your recycling, and plastic bags make great mini trash bags.

Bring your Tupperware to restaurants

Sounds like overkill but you can help reduce food waste and carry out cartons. Part of being a college student is pinching your pennies, and tonight’s leftovers can be tomorrows lunch! Brining your own containers can come in handy.

Mend it!

Clothes ripped? Bored of your plain tees? You’re in the right place! So many FIT students are talented at sewing and DIYs- see if a friend who can sew will help fix (in exchange for a help with something they need, or pay them in food!). Learning to mend your own stuff is easier than ever with YouTube as well. Learn a new skill and save a garment from the waste stream.

Bring your coffee from home

Starbucks is great every once and a while but the waste does add up – both environmentally and monetarily. Try making coffee at home- I love cold brew and find making it at home tastes just as good as bought. I have cut out spending on take out coffee, and that’s a lot of plastic gone with that transition! You can also bring a reusable cup at most coffee shops.

Don’t beat yourself up

While making an effort to be more green is fantastic, there is always pressure to do everything perfect. Even small choices like taking the subway instead of Uber helps. The important thing is to do what you can with what you have. Reuse what you can, reduce what you can, but enjoy life without the guilt of being perfectly eco!

Sustainability and Ethics Minor

Want to learn even more about protecting the plant? Consider working towards a minor in it at FIT. I took “Psychology for Sustainability” and thought it was a great way to learn more about the mindset behind making conscious choices. Other interesting classes are natural dyeing and sustainable packaging design.  Learn more by clicking here.

What are your favorite eco-friendly swaps? Let me know!
Sam

Career Services Job Bank at FIT

Hi everyone!

Last week I blogged about working a part time job as a way to gain invaluable experience while an FIT student. While finding a job might be daunting, FIT offers a fantastic job bank where you can look for industry related jobs!

I find this really helpful as my major Production Management can sometimes be confused for event production or music or construction. The FIT job bank lets you sort by major, or other similar key words so you can find something similar to what you are interested in.

FIT students are in demand around NYC, especially for retail jobs and other part time work. We have a good reputation and it helps when it comes time to apply to jobs. A lot of the time, you’ll even be working with other FIT students at your job, and can meet people in other majors and departments at the school this way.

My experience with the career bank has been great – I found a part time job I spent a year working that I really enjoyed. It also was a great learning experience, as I got to work at a small business and see how their processes worked.

The career services are available to all FIT students, past and present. You’ll always have the FIT services backing you, wether you’re just starting out or a few years into your career.

Learn more at this link!

What are your career goals? Let me know!
Sam

 

Part Time Jobs

Hi everyone!

Now that you’ve settled into school some, you might be considering getting a part time job! I’m a big advocate for working , whether it be a side hustle or folding clothes at the local retail shops. Not only can you learn a few skills, but seemingly small jobs can lead to big things!

Freshman year when I started at FIT I applied to work for Madewell as a sales associate. I ended up working there for a little over a year, and met some really cool people, some of whom I still keep in touch with today! The hours worked around my class schedule, and it was walking distance from my dorm. Earning money was a big help in NYC, where everything costs so much compared to living at home in the suburbs. But more than that, it helped serve as another educational experience and resume builder- all while getting paid.

Understanding retail has really helped in my schoolwork and internships- I am wary of feathers (they always seem to fall off in the stock room) and I got to see which styles got consistently passed up due to fit issues. Little things like these have helped a lot when working on development of garments.

More than that, I had the pleasure of interning at Madewell corporate offices this summer. My year spent at the store definitely gave me a leg up in the applications process, and was incredibly useful working on the production and development as I already had some product knowledge.

As one of my internship class professors at FIT told me, the opposite of networking is not working! If you have the time, I would really recommend a part-time job.  FIT has services for students to find internships and jobs – out Career and Internship Services office is available to current students and alumni!

Where do you want to work? Let me know!
Sam

“What do you want to do after school?”

After sitting through my first week of classes this year, the professors always seem to ask us “what do you want to do after school?” While this question also exists outside of the classroom, I think it’s especially important in school. Trying to decide what to do with your career and life can be incredibly challenging – and chances are you won’t figure it out for a long time. I know I change my mind all the time. But I think one of the best things you can do for yourself – and for your professors – is to have an answer for when they ask you what you want to do.

FIT professors are really passionate about helping you find your place in the industry, and part of that is them knowing what you’re interested in. They might have connections and know of internships that could give you insight into what you’re wanting to learn more about. When you answer this question, you aren’t signing a contract – you’re free to change your mind. The important thing is to stay curious and stay working towards a goal, even if that goal shifts.

I have been in class with essentially the same people for 3 years straight. And nearly every semester, they have to answer the question “what do you want to do after FIT?” I cannot think of a single student who has kept the same answer since freshman year. I know my answer has changed. College is a chance to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, about the industry you want to work in, about the work you might have to do. There’s nothing special about being stagnant in your aspirations – adapting and changing is part of growth!

So have an answer for the question – even if you’re unsure it’s really what you want to do. You can change your mind at any time.

What do you want to do after FIT? Leave a comment below!
Sam