On September 30, Sacred Heart University students studying Fashion Merchandising and Marketing (FMM) visited the Vineyard Vines Headquarters located in Stamford, Conn. The students learned about internship and employment opportunities available after they complete their undergraduate education.
The trip was planned in partnership with Sacred Heart’s Fashion Club and instructors from the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology (WCBT). Their itinerary included 30 minute meetings with various professionals holding positions in the Vineyard Vines company.
The students met with Heather Heaney, the Vice President of Merchandising, Mike Heaney, the Senior Director of Men’s Merchandising, and Kristy Launer, the Senior Director of Outlet Merchandising. They also had the chance to speak with Jamie Romaniello, the Director of Digital Marketing.
Fashion students and faculty at Vineyard Vines Headquarters in Stamford on Sept. 24.
Instagram, @sacredheartfashion
According to the brand’s website, Vineyard Vines launched in 1998, when founders Shep and Ian Murray created the American apparel and accessory company. With their first product being neckties sold out of a Jeep on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, the brand eventually developed into a preppy fashion line with clothing for men, women, and children.
Junior FMM student Anna Wilde said the trip allowed her to gain knowledge about not just Vineyard Vines as a brand, but the process and skills that go into working for an apparel company.
“We learned a lot about how things are mechanized in their stores. It clarified what each job position does, which made it more helpful to me to see what I’d be interested in moving forward in my future career,” said Wilde.
Jessica Romano is a senior double-majoring in FMM and Finance. As President of the Fashion Club, she helped coordinate the trip. Romano said it is important to provide students with networking opportunities when studying in the field of FMM.
“Dr. [David] Loranger and I worked together on organizing trips for the Fashion Club to help students network,” Romano said. “We were able to connect with Sacred Heart alumna Regan Rappoccio, who is now an HR manager at Vineyard Vines. That’s how this trip came about.”
Romano also highlighted the value of the trip for undergraduates who are still exploring potential career paths.
“It was important for juniors and seniors to see internship opportunities, but for freshmen and sophomores as well, it was a chance to learn about career options and locations where they could potentially work,” said Romano.
“Vineyard Vines is one of the closest retail corporate headquarters to Sacred Heart, and many alumni work there, so it’s important for students to see that connection and build relationships for the future,” she said.
Dr. David Loranger, assistant professor in the FMM program at Sacred Heart explained the value of the experience from a professor’s perspective. Loranger said that the university has an Advisory Alumni Board that includes members like Rappoccio, who serve as valuable networking resources for students.
“Every major in the Jack Welch College of Business has an Advisory Alumni Board,” said Loranger. “Students are encouraged to reach out to them for networking, internships, and other opportunities. When students meet people who work in these roles and hear their stories, it humanizes them. They can start to see themselves in those jobs.”
By searching for “Advisory Alumni Board” at www.sacredheart.edu, students in the WCBT, and all other SHU colleges, can discover the advisory alumni board for each program offered by the university.
For more opportunities to further careers post-graduation, contact the Center for Career & Professional Development online at https://www.sacredheart.edu/offices–departments-directory/center-for-career–professional-development/.
