Intern's Insights
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Practice Makes Perfect…or at Least it Makes More Sense
by Mallory Foushee

“Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me,
and I'll understand.”

That old Native American belief is exactly the reason North Carolina State University and The College of Textiles encourage students to take on summer internships and jobs. Experience is everything and it can set people apart when it is time to apply for permanent jobs. This summer I have had the opportunity to work with The Hosiery Association during an eight week internship and I have to say the experience was invaluable. It was also a great chance for me to actually put to practical use the $40,000 education my parents have been paying for over the last three years.

I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the happenings within the hosiery world and it was great to be involved with an industry that is changing so much. A lot of companies seem to be embracing the changing time and making the most of new opportunities. New technology and innovative products in addition to more fashionable and trendy products are positive changes which are paving the way to a bright future for the industry. It is great to see companies taking initiative and thinking outside of the box. Perhaps one of the most important goals companies should have is removing the stereotypical image of hosiery from the minds of consumers. Legwear is no longer simply for church and the office; it is rapidly becoming just as trendy and popular as luxury denim and designer handbags. One of the first projects I did this summer involved viewing THA’s images from Fashion Week 2007 in New York City and I noticed there was a great deal of legwear featured in the collections. Nearly every trend forecast projects that legwear will play an important role in fashion next season. I also had the chance to visit the Hosiery Technology Center and see first hand some of the innovation that is being put into new products. I have to say I was very impressed at all of the research and development that goes into a sock. Many people believe this product to be a commodity but I have to say they are dead wrong. Today socks can fight odor, help with circulation, keep feet dryer and much more. This advancing technology absolutely shows a strong incentive to remain successful and differentiate products from foreign imports. In class we often discuss what companies are doing or should do to compete against imported products and this is a real life example of an industry fighting back.

When I begin classes in a few weeks it will be my last fall semester at North Carolina State University. It is a little sad how fast the last three years have flown by but I know that when I walk across the stage in May I will be ready to face the “real world,” well equipped with a first class education and even some industry experience

Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your organization for the summer! It has truly been a wonderful experience.