This week’s campus celebrity is senior Mariah Jones. She is an ambitious, hard worker who has a passion for fashion. She’s originally from Homewood, Illinois and is the president of the student organization Fashion Management Club (how fun!). She lets us in on what it’s truly like to be the heart and soul of an important campus group.
What’s your major?
I’m a Journalism major, Business minor, have a Leadership Certificate and going for my Entrepreneurial Certificate. (WHEW!)
What’s it like being president of a Student Org?
Being president of a student org is actually really stressful. There is so much to do and plan all the time; it feels like it consumes up most of my time. But it’s very rewarding once it’s all done and planned out because you can see what you put into action. As stressful as it is, it’s still very fun because you are getting good leadership experience, and you can kind of do what you want with it. Since this is a fashion club, I like to do more fun things with it than a typical business org. A typical day for me as president would be responding to emails, creating things for exec to do in their roles, making schedules, looking up new ideas and speakers for our meetings and so much more.
What’s your favorite part about being president of FMC?
My favorite part about being president would have to be seeing the organization grow and working with different people around the community and seeing how they are trying to bring more fashion to the state of Iowa and being able to be a part of that.
What’s the biggest change you’re trying to implement for FMC as their president?
The biggest change I am trying to bring to FMC would be to do more fun things during meetings rather than always bringing in speakers, which is very beneficial, but it can get repetitive, so I’m trying to bring in new ideas.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned through being prez of FMC?
The most important thing I have learned about being president is you can’t do it alone. If I didn’t have my exec team, I don’t know what I would do. I would be beyond stressed.
What’s your dream job?
My dream job is to work in PR and events for a fashion company. I would love to move to Chicago or London and pursue that dream.
What got you interested in fashion?
For as long as I can remember I’ve been interested in fashion. Through dressing up as a little girl, to reading all the teen magazines in junior high and high school, to now being president of a fashion club. It’s always sparked my interest, and there’s not a day that goes by I’m not checking up on fashion and what’s going on around me.
What’s your ideal outfit?
My ideal outfit is leggings, a big, comfy, cute sweater and some boots. Now that the weather is getting colder, I am so excited that it’s finally sweater and boot season. I have a very simple style and don’t get too crazy with my outfits.
Fashion advice for any struggling college students out there?
My fashion advice for struggling college students would be to define your fashion style and make a budget. Rather than going for big name brands (even though it’s very tempting), go for the unnamed brands and look out for discounts. Also, make sure you have the basics in your wardrobe because you can always dress those up or down, no matter where you’re going.
Thanks, Mariah. Keep being an awesome girl boss!