RESUME

Samantha Strandberg

Fashion Business

Education

2015-2019

Columbia College Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business, Minor in Design Management

Activities and Societies: NSCS: 2016-present, Dean's List: 2016-present, Trustee Award: 2016-2019, Honors Program, Columbia College Chicago's National Retail Federation Student Association Chapter: 2015-present

Managerial Experience

Jul 2018-present

The Buckle, Inc.

Assistant Manager

  • Lead a team including a sales team of 12 and two support staff consistently exceeding sales goals by 2% monthly.
  • Ensure adherence to corporate standards through team member delegation resulting in ownership and pride of store.

Aug 2016 - Jan 2018

Village of Bensenville

Manager of Aquatics

  • Analyzes data from managerial work done through Excel, such as cash flow and demographics of customers resulting in creation of new marketing campaigns
  • Demonstrates knowledge of procedures and processes of CPR and AED certifications for a team of 15
  • Takes the initiative and adapting to life or death situations

Retail Experience

Jan 2018 - Jul 2018

Nordstrom

Retail Sales Specialist for POV

  • Consistent engagement with customer establishing wants and needs by listening and questioning for clarity.
  • Sharing ongoing research of product knowledge and fashion trends resulting in average SPH of 300.

Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

LOFT Ann Inc.

Experienced Sales Associate

  • Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast- paced and deadline-oriented environment
  • Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple assignments/follow through on assignment
  • Prepared and coordinated inventory needs by classification

Design and Visual Experience

Jan 2017 - May 2017

Bloomingdale’s

Visual Merchandising Student Assistant

  • Analyzed store environments and the role of visual merchandising through interior and exterior displays
  • Hands on creation of visual displays increasing UPT by 2.5
  • Ability to communicate at all levels, including presentation and summary skills

Aug 2012 - present

Freelance Textile and Graphic Design

Greater Chicagoland Area

  • Strong analytical skills with demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking ability developing 5-star reviews with each garment made.
  • Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, adhering to tight deadlines resulting in customer referrals

Work Experience

Feb 2016 - May 2017

Full-Time Nanny

Freelance

  • Increases fun with activities which promotes language progression skills
  • Engages with children on an individual basis to adapt to physical, emotional and social development needs
  • Coordinates behavioral system and implements effective disciplinary action

May 2013 - Sep 2015

Bensenville Park District

Head Lifeguard

  • Works as a team player to guarantee patrons safety
  • Displays enthusiastic and proactive approach to concerns of patrons

Volunteer Experience

Nov 2018 - present

Project Style, NFP

Project Style Mentor

  • Project Style’s mission is to educate at-risk youth on the connection between self-esteem and the way we dress, with the goal to increase confidence, self-worth, and academic success rates.

May 2017 - present

My Favorite Outfit, NFP

Student Ambassador

  • "My Favorite Outfit’s (MFO) mission is to use fashion to empower at-risk youth to succeed in middle and high school, college, and beyond. Our two programs, Pop-Up Workshop and Fashion 101, use fashion to address the needs of at-risk youth in crucial life stages".

Sep 2016 - present

Columbia College Chicago Fashion Asscociation

Member

  • Columbia College Fashion Association (CCFA) is the student-run fashion organization on campus. We aim to bring together the student body through networking events, group bonding events, and putting on events that expand out into helping the community.

Aug 2015 - present

Columbia College Chicago’s National Retail Federation Student Association Chapter

Member

  • The NRF Student Association Chapter of Columbia College Chicago will provide students with a variety of opportunities from learning about the diverse career paths in the retail industry to employment/educational opportunities.
  • NRFSA members will be able to connect with their peers at Columbia, as well as nationally with other NRFSA chapters.

Recommendations

Kimberly Bush

Village of Bensenville

I am very pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Samantha Strandberg. As the Aquatics Department Manager at the Water's Edge Aquatic Center, I have worked alonside Samantha for the past five years. Not only has she been a key player on our team, but she has also become a supervisor, demonstrating the skills and leadership qualities that would make her an invaluable addition to your team.

While Samantha has found success at the Water's Edge Aquatic Center, helping increase our daily patronage traffic over her time here, she is looking to streamline her skills as a leader within the fashion industry. Our small, specialized location does not have the opportunities for leadership for which Samantha is qualified. Samantha is poised to step into any role, with the potential to reach for the sky.

Samantha can plan, create, and markert our facility and build a safe, pleasant atmosphere for all patrons and employees. She is excellent with her safety skills and problem solving. She has used her skill knowledge to help patrons, as well as, ensure that all lifeguards are secure in those skills. She has her finger on the pulse of the staff and patrons, and provides a facility that is both useful and safe for our patrons.

In addition to her professional qualifications, Samantha has personal qualitites that make her well-suited to leadership. She has naturally fallen into the role of "customer service" that many patrons go to with questions. She is not afraid to take risks and often suggests new directions to explore. Samantha was instrumental in introducing our platform for our daily checklists and job duties. She is committed to quality, growth, and progress, and she inspires team members to strive for the same. In short, Samantha is a person with vision.

On a personal note, Samanatha has become a close friend over our years of working together. She organized social events for the team and facilitated team cohesion by creating a "Guard of the Month" program, which raised moral greatly. Samantha's fun and friendly personality are just icing on the cake of her many other qualifications.

Samantha receives my highest recommendation for any position she seeks. She is a go-getter, and will succeed in any direction she chooses. Please feel free to contact me for any further information. Thanks very much for your time.


Kathleen Formas

Ann Taylor Loft

It is a great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Samantha Strandberg. I have known Samantha from 01/2016 to 02/2018 when she worked Ann Taylor Loft, Streets of Woodfield as a Retail Sales Associate. She is a reliable employee and is willing to take the extra mile to help me when I have to make goal.

Samantha had proved to adapt quickly to work environments and company standards and stand out among her colleagues. As a sales associate, she has worked with some of our regular clients with helping them with picking out the right outfit for the special occasion. She is committed to her work and would deliver positively at the end of her swift.

Working under pressure is an attribute most common with Samantha. When things need to be done, she is just the perfect fit for the job.

I would recommend Samantha for the position in your organization, as she would be a breakthrough for any organization.

I can be reached at any time through my phone number and/or email address if you seek any further clarifications on Samantha's strength.