Representing a brand, representing herself

Some students have jobs at the bookstore, waiting tables or swiping NYU ID cards at Palladium gym. They might get discounts on NYU sweatshirts, the occasional free meal and easy access to the elliptical.

But CAS senior Nisa Nejadi's job has a different sort of reward: She makes her classmates happy by giving them promotional fashion swag.

Nejadi is a brand representative for BCBGeneration. Because of NYU's non-traditional campus, it can be difficult for brand reps here to set up on campus. Instead, Nejadi developed partnerships with organizations such as the Fashion Business Association and various sororities. She can give away promotional items to people in those groups.

"The relationship is mutually beneficial," she said. "I get to promote the brand while these organizations get cool giveaways."

On a higher level, Nejadi promotes the brand at events in stores such as Macy's and Lord & Taylor. Although Nejadi worked in a lot of retail stores before and held other internships, this is her first position in a specifically fashion-related position. She had several offers from fashion companies that were looking for campus brand representatives, but Nejadi had the most interest in BCBGeneration.

"I was really excited to work with a brand that I loved and would have no trouble representing," she said. "It is so much more rewarding and authentic when you care about your work and the company behind it."

Apart from her personal interest in BCBGeneration's style, Nejadi enjoys what the brand stands for. Joyce Azria, daughter of Max Azria and creative director of the brand, said her mission is "for each woman to fall in love with herself and her distinctive qualities through an exploration of style."

During Fashion's Night Out — a huge fashion event in the fall — Nejadi said she met Ms. Azria.

"She has such positive attitude and genuine kindness and is passionate about the brand," Nejadi said. She also noted that Azria already knew her name without an introduction.

Nejadi has not had an internship in fashion, but this experience changed her perspective completely. She's proof that it's never too late to change your post-college aspirations.

"The program has been a great introduction to the marketing world and I would love to explore possibilities in this field further," she said. As an economics and business studies major, Nejadi originally thought she would follow a more traditional business track.

Even if it will be difficult to make the switch to marketing, Nejadi knows it will be better than wasting her time in a profession she has no interest in.

"It's never too late to find what you truly care about and do it," she said.

Anna Podkovyrova is a staff writer.