Rachel Monfre, a Gallatin junior studying business decision-making and consumer behavior, is always on the run. From attending Pi Phi chapter meetings and interning in the direct marketing department at J. Crew to serving as a Rent the Runway campus representative, the Boca Raton native uses every one of her New York minutes. And the contents of her bag prove it.
Corkscrew thumb drive
“This is literally my favorite thing,” Monfre said. “It is actually a sponsored thumb drive I got when I was working at my old PR internship at Sally Fisher.”
What looks like a corkscrew from a bottle of wine is actually a viaswine.com corkscrew thumb drive that contains Monfre’s web design project. Last semester, she built a website for her mother’s non-profit thrift store in Florida.
“Building the site made me feel like a hired web designer,” Monfre said with a smile.
Rent the Runway
$20 gift card
Monfre has served as an NYU Rent the Runway campus representative since the fall 2012 semester and is always prepared to hand out Rent the Runway swag, such as gift cards or sets of nail polish. For Monfre, a former Teen Vogue intern, the campus representative position was a perfect fit because of her outgoing nature and love for fashion.
Last semester, Monfre planned a Rent the Runway trunk show with the NYU campus team. The event was timed to coincide with sorority semi-formals and formals. She plans to hold another event this semester where girls can try on dresses at the trunk show.
Disposable camera
One weekend in the spring of 2012, Monfre studied abroad at NYU Florence and had the opportunity to visit Croatia.
“I was traveling by myself, and I had an amazing time at Krka National Park,” Monfre said. “It is so incredibly beautiful, and I would love to go back.”
Monfre’s disposable camera replaced her digital camera that weekend, since her digital camera broke right before she left for her trip. It contains the still undeveloped photos from her visit , which she carries with the intention of one day developing. For now, the camera has found a home inside her bag.
Pi Phi Pin
A small cube case with a Pi Phi pin could easily be overlooked next to the larger contents of Monfre’s bag. But Monfre has been a member of Pi Phi for three years and, like her sorority sisters, must wear the pin with business casual attire at weekly chapter meetings and other ceremonies.
“We wear the pin to gain points every semester, but it is nice to wear the pin because it makes you feel connected to the sorority, like you are part of something,” Monfre said. “Plus, it’s a fun conversation starter.”
Sarah Kamenetz is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected]