As a senior fashion merchandising major who is exploring career opportunities after graduation, I was excited to attend the 2026 Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Academy Pathway Program with my classmates in Professor Sheng Lu’s FASH455: Global Apparel and Textile Trade and Sourcing class on March 10. Thanks to a strong partnership between UD’s fashion department and WITA, this virtual event brought together over a dozen high-level speakers with extensive experience in the textile and apparel sector, such as the vice president of trade at the global company Tapestry, the president of the U.S. Fashion Industry Association and the textile division chief of the U.S. International Trade Commission.
While fashion majors are often expected to pursue roles as designers or buyers, the actual job opportunities available to us are much broader. At the WITA event, I was intrigued to learn about promising career paths in textile and apparel trade, sourcing, supply chain, trade policy, compliance and sustainability. I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers’ diverse yet equally inspiring career stories, their candid accounts of career development and the latest industry trends they shared.
Even more exciting, I had the unique opportunity to co-moderate the panel discussion on “Careers in Fashion, Trade & Policy” at the WITA event with Professor Lu. I was able to question three distinguished speakers, including the vice president of Tapestry, the senior vice president of the American Textile Company and the former director of the Office of Textiles and Apparel at the U.S. Commerce Department.
This experience was truly memorable and somewhat intimidating because of the high-ranking speakers and more than 100 online attendees. As this was my first time serving as a moderator, Professor Lu’s detailed guidance and encouragement on the scene helped ease my nerves. I was also relieved that all the panelists were incredibly supportive and friendly, making for a fantastic experience rich in knowledge sharing. Once the discussion began, the conversation flowed more naturally than I had expected. As one panelist advised during the session, career growth rarely happens by waiting, and we must be willing to step up and seize the opportunities before us.
At the same time, several moments exceeded my expectations during the event, such as a timely discussion of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs. The panelist reminded us that AI cannot replace human analysis and decision-making. Skills such as critical thinking, interpersonal communication, creativity and problem-solving could become even more valuable in the AI era. Thankfully, these are exactly what FASH455 and many other UD courses prepare us to do.
Another key takeaway from the WITA event was the importance of collaboration. Several panelists highlighted that success in fashion is rarely achieved alone. Instead, it always requires teamwork and support from others. Stephen Lamar, president & CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and one of the event’s keynote speakers, put it best: Work your network, collaborate with those around you, pay it forward and always be ready to help others.
Participating in the WITA Academy has been one of my most rewarding experiences in FASH455, as it bridges classroom learning with real-world career development. The fashion department at UD continues to excel in providing our students with opportunities to engage meaningfully with industry professionals, preparing us to step confidently into the field.
To see the full review as it was written on University of Delaware CAS NEWS, click here.