Alec Sanchez Garcia

Major: Fashion Design and Merchandising
Minor/option/emphasis: Hospitality Management
Company/Organization: MUQIN
Destination: Randall, Iowa
Timeframe: Spring 2023
Advisor/Coordinator Email: sbennett@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

Create and design digital content including images, graphics, and promotional materials for social media platforms. Manage social media activities by posting updates, creating polls, and hosting Q&A sessions to increase audience engagement. Monitor and analyze audience interaction to identify trends and improve content strategy. Network and build relationships with individuals, partners, and community members to grow the brand’s presence. Collaborate with team members to plan content calendars and ensure consistent messaging across platforms. Track engagement metrics to help measure performance and report on weekly or monthly outcomes. Support brand outreach initiatives through online and in-person engagement when needed.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship was being able to genuinely connect with others — from my mentor to cross-team partners. Building those relationships helped me collaborate more effectively and learn faster. I also became much more confident in my technical skills, especially when taking on projects independently and presenting my work.”

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons I learned during my internship was the importance of strong communication. Asking questions early, sharing progress updates, and being open to feedback helped me understand how to work effectively with different personalities and teams. I also learned how to be adaptable — projects changed quickly, and being able to shift my focus while staying organized taught me how to manage my time in a real professional environment. Another major lesson was building confidence in my own abilities. By taking initiative instead of waiting for direction, I proved to myself that I could handle responsibilities independently. Overall, I learned how to balance collaboration, professionalism, and self-motivation, which has prepared me for future roles in the industry

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students in this major is to stay curious and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. The fashion industry moves fast, and the more you’re willing to ask questions, seek feedback, and try new things, the more confident you’ll become. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—volunteer for projects, network with professionals, and build relationships with your classmates and professors. These connections often turn into internships, mentorships, and even job opportunities. Most importantly, stay organized and manage your time well. Classes, projects, and internships can overlap, but learning how to balance everything now will prepare you for real industry pressure. The more proactive and involved you are, the more you’ll gain from this major.

Career Connections