Just Accepted Merchandise Product Development Student Advocates on College Campuses

Lauren Bryeans

Age: 25

Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Major: Merchandise Product Development

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Spring 2012

Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers

Tell us a bit about yourself. After attending De Anza College in Northern California and playing soccer there, I tried a few things. I studied and lived in Paris, came back and worked at Nordstrom’s, and did some modeling. At Nordstrom’s, I was inspired by working with brand-named products in the Men’s Department.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I currently work for a non-profit called No Woman Left Behind campaign. Our focus is on bystander intervention and sexual assault awareness prevention. In March of 2007, me and my soccer teammates were attending a party when we witnessed what we believed was a sexual assault on a young woman. The three of us intervened and took the victim to a hospital. Since then, we have been sharing our story at colleges and universities across the country. I love this campaign with everything in me, and I believe in the message that it sends; whether it's a sister, a friend, or a complete stranger, step in and make a difference!

Who was your Admissions Advisor? Cathy Chambers

Why FIDM? While I love making a difference in the college communities I visit as a speaker with No Woman Left Behind, I now want to find something that lets me separate out those emotions. Also, I look forward to seeing the industry from the other side of the lens from my modeling career.

What are your career goals? I hope to become a technical designer.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? My major will give me an opportunity to learn both the technical and business sides of the industry. I expect to learn everything I need to help me achieve my goals at fashion merchandising college.