Student work experience programs in fashion merchandising

The purpose of this study was to survey colleges and universities in the United States in regard to their Student Work Experience in fashion merchandising. A questionnaire was developed by the researcher and sent to 178 colleges and universities selected because of class offerings in fashion merchandising.

Responses from the ninety-four schools which offered a Student Work Experience in conjunction with their fashion merchandising program, were tabulated. Frequency distributions and percentages were used to describe the data.

The data were discussed according to (1) General Information on the Student Work Experience, (2) The Responsibilities of the Student Participating in the Student Work Experience, (3) The Role of the Teacher/ Coordinator of the Student Work Experience, and (4) The Role of the Store Participating in the Student Work Experience, The varied responses received from the schools indicated that Student Work Experiences in fashion merchandising differ among the colleges and universities in the United States. Various academic requirements were listed for participation in and completion of the Student Work Experience. The educational background and non-teaching retailing experience varied widely among the teacher/ coordinators of the Student Work Experience. Several types of stores were cited as being participants in the Student Work Experience.