Textile Designer attends WithIt Conference

Textile Design senior Sabrina Pinello was selected to attend the 2019 WithIt Conference held in Alexandria Virginia.  We interviewed Sabrina to learn more about the amazing experience.  Please see the below interview and images.  Congratulations to Sabrina for her selection for this honor!

      What is WithIt?  WithIt is made up of all women in the home furnishings industry, whether that be those on the business/financial side of the company, the designers themselves, and the lawyers. WithIt is an amazing organization that supports female students, employers, employees, and business owners in the home furnishings industry. It grants marvelous support, inspiration and motivation to others in this business, not to mention an outstanding networking resource! 

Sabrina working on an inspiration board during a Vision Spark, pre-conference workshop

How were you selected for this scholarship?  I was chosen based off of my grade point average, SAT scores, a statement of my personal goals, involvement in extracurricular activities/community, leadership positions, three letters of recommendation and a brief essay. The essay entailed why I felt I was a candidate and how I would contribute to the home furnishings industry.  

Sabrina's inspiration board

         

         What were the conference highlights?  For me, there were many highlights of this conference because the takeaways from it are something a price tag can't match. The amount of networking I got to do, the people I got to meet, speak with, and exchange business cards with, were amazing and a moment to not be forgotten. Additionally, being able to hear some very empowered women speak upon a variety of topics was so inspirational and educational. I’ve made some very valuable friendships, connections and memories. 

      Any words of advice for other students?  If there is something I could share with other students interested in being a candidate for the home furnishings industry or to potential scholarship recipients, it would be to go for it. I never thought such an opportunity would come my way, never mind igniting the dream! WithIt is the organization to be connected with and allow those dreams to bloom to realities!