By STEFANIE HILL

Staff Writer

A group of merchandising students went on a field-study trip April 24 through 30 to New York City to learn the ins and outs of retailing and merchandising.

The trip was part of Merchandising and Consumer Studies 498: Field Studies Tour and was sponsored by the School of Human Ecology.

The itinerary consisted of appointments with different industry representatives.

Dr. Linda Sivils, coordinator for the trip and an associate professor of merchandising and consumer affairs, said the students got a behind-the-scenes look at the facets of New York's largest industry.

"We also went sight-seeing and saw two Broadway plays," Sivils said. "We had the chance to meet Donald Trump and a Rockette."

Lindsay Parker, a junior merchandising and consumer affairs major, said the trip gave her an idea of what job she can go into.

"It showed me where my major can take me," Parker said. "I also realize what it takes to get to the top."

Some of the industries the group visited were The Fashion Center, Sorbara Furs Inc., the New York Stock Exchange and U.N.I.T.E., which is a labor union that helps get rid of sweat shops.

The group also met the Color Association, a panel of eight to 12 industry professionals that predicts the colors for the next season.

"It was neat to find out what colors the association chooses two years in advance," Janna Lee, a senior merchandising and consumer affairs major, said.

Parker said meeting all the different industry representatives gave them network opportunities in many different fields.

"There was a very wide range of things we saw that we can do," Parker said.

"I learned the basic steps to go by to be successful."

Lauren Evangelista, a junior merchandising and consumer affairs major, agreed the trip helped the students develop contacts.

"This trip was a really good experience," Evangelista said. "It helped introduce us to merchandising and consumer affairs."

Sivils said the group was able to see how furs were made.

"They showed us how they sewed the furs together, and we also were able to see all the new wild colors they are coming out with," Sivils said.

Lee said this trip gave her the chance to see how a clothing line really works.

"Living in a small town, you don't see everything that goes into a clothing line," Lee said.

"Visiting New York really helped me appreciate all that goes into fashion."