Jen Stoike '06
鈥淣etwork, network, network!"
Jen left Intertek to work for True Religion, where she implemented and directed regulatory compliance and social auditing program for the brand. After two years, she was recruited by her current employer, Personal Creations/FTD. This position involves managing risk mitigation during the product development stage, and ensuring all products meet government regulations for health and safety. She also monitors factories in the company鈥檚 supply chain to be sure they follow ethical and socially responsible standards set by Personal Creations.
About her job, Jen says 鈥淩egulatory testing, product compliance, social auditing, and risk mitigation have become my true passion. It sounds clich茅, but coming to work isn鈥檛 work at all because it鈥檚 what I love to do.鈥 She enjoys her work in part because the regulatory landscape is continuously changing not only within the US but on a global scale. She explains, 鈥淚 enjoy staying on top of all the newness and no two days are alike for me. Another amazing benefit is that I get to travel internationally to visit our supplier factories 3-4 times a year.鈥
Jen鈥檚 advice to fashion majors is to 鈥渘etwork, network, network! If you are truly looking to move forward with a national retailer and/or brand, networking is key. Also, never be afraid to start at the bottom- if you want something you will persevere through the obstacles to follow your dreams and reach your goals. Always remember your dreams and goals are attainable- you just have to put in the work to reach them.