Erica Ecker

"Starting off going to FIDM, I didn't even know that a position like this existed in the industry!" says Nellie Knerr, Allocation Analyst for alternative-culture chain Hot Topic. What's an Allocation Analyst? Well, as Nellie tells it, "I work with the buying team on how much of a style to order -- how many units, what sizes -- and then when the order arrives at our warehouse, I help allocate it to stores." She continues, "Every store is different, based on geography. A customer profile of someone in the Midwest is different from Florida." Allocators make sure a store isn't understocked or overstocked. Being an Allocation Analyst with Hot Topic is extra-interesting because fresh, super-trendy merchandise arrives at the warehouse daily, and Nellie, whose department is women's novelty tees, is in constant communication by e-mail and phone with any Hot Topic employee in the country who wants to give her feedback or ideas for new tees. She also gets to help plan what's going to be in stores next season. "That's really cool, being able to shape what the store will be able to offer to the customer."

Fashion was not Nellie's initial plan. A Pennsylvania native, she attended Penn State University where she earned a B.A. in Classical Studies. She was all set to go to Brooklyn Law School, but she deferred admission for a year to think about whether she wanted to be a lawyer. Nellie knew she was interested in fashion, but she also felt she wasn't meant to be a designer. "When I started investigating fashion institutes, FIDM came up as one of the best," she remembers. A friend of the family who'd been involved in the fashion industry explained to her that the majority of the fashion business is based on the west coast, and that "where it all happens is in the L.A area." Plus, "I always wanted to see what it would be like to live in California!"

When she came to California, and FIDM, Nellie found it to be an excellent learning environment. She chose to major in Merchandise Marketing. "I really valued the instructors, and the fact that they are successful in the industry," she says. "You can pick their brains and find out what the industry is really like and what skills will make you successful." Her education proved to be full of practical knowledge. "Everything that I learned I use on a daily basis in my career. There's no filler!"

Nellie came to Hot Topic right after FIDM, but she had her selection of choices. "Right after graduating I went on a series of job interviews with three different companies, and I was offered jobs with all three companies!" But for her it was an easy decision. "I just fell in love with Hot Topic! The type of product we carry and the customer we reach is unique," she says of the chain's unconventional, "underground" appeal.

Nellie found FIDM's Career Center ready, willing, and able to give her career a boost. "The Career Center was so dedicated! They helped me perfect my resume. They have so many connections in the Southern California area." Nellie especially cites the help of Career Center head Kathy Bailon in getting her career off to a stellar start. "She took the time to get to know me. She went and contacted Hot Topic and said, 'You need to interview her!' She helped me get my foot in the door."

It's OK if you don't know exactly what you want to do," advises Nellie, who came to FIDM wanting to be a Buyer. "I totally switched gears during my time at FIDM." She remembers how she found her career calling. "You'll have that one teacher or one class where it'll all just make sense and you'll know!" Nellie recommends working in retail, at least part-time, while you're in school. "I didn't want to work in the field. I didn't want to be a store manager. I wanted to work in the headquarters," she mock-moans, remembering her initial point of view. "But you learn so much working in a store about customer service, about sizes, about colors -- so much that lends itself to being a Buyer or an Analyst." And, it translated to resume-building experience! While attending FIDM, Nellie spent time at Gap working as a Sales Supervisor. "It was highly looked upon by all three companies that I interviewed with," declares Nellie.

And since getting the job at Hot Topic, Nellie has really made her mark. Every year, the company has a meeting where all the store managers in the country fly to Los Angeles, and they hold an awards show called the Skullies. For her outstanding performance in her job, Nellie won a Customer Service award at last year's show. "It was really exciting to have over a thousand people clapping and cheering as you get up on stage!" she enthuses.

Now, working her way up at Hot Topic and vying to again win the Customer Service award is what's on Nellie's agenda. Meanwhile, she jokes with her boss that she's got an eye on his job! "I truly feel that I'm on the career path that I was meant to be on," says the girl who was all set to be a lawyer. It sounds like fashion was the right fit after all!

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication