Product Coordinator / Merchandiser at Bioworld Merchandising
What does “a day in the life of” you look like?
A day in my life is managing all development samples sent from the factory. I work closely with the factories and out team in cost inquiries, tracking of physical and photographed samples. For the Atlanta and Vegas markets I request the merchandise from all the divisions of the company to be merchandised at the shows. I create mockup samples for buyers through Illustrator and craft them in a blank style. I also coordinate product marketing presentations with the Philippines team.
What do you enjoy most about your job or field?
What I enjoy most about my job is how immersive it is in pop culture, like getting to see the merchandise that will be offered to retail in an upcoming Marvel movie. I have always been very focused and driven by the Entertainment industry so being a part of the creative development process that brings the merchandise of everyone’s favorite characters into stores is very cool!!
How did education at Wade College help prepare you for what you are doing today?
My education at Wade College gave me a lens into a world and industry I didn’t know was possible. Coming from an immigrant family, the pressure is silently there to make sure the sacrifice my parents made weren’t in vain. At first, I tried to go into a field that would be conventional, but it wasn’t working for me. Once I learned about Wade and the possibilities that I could get in the fashion industry were overwhelmingly reassuring. It gave me the drive to not settle for something “normal”. Hearing my professors’ success stories within the industry made me realize that it really could be possible, all I had to do was dive in.
What advice do you have for students interested in your field?
Be a sponge at every job you have, learn from your coworkers but also have an interest to learn beyond your role and department. Not everyone has the privilege to take on internships when you have to also work full time during school. So, don’t feel pressure that you have to volunteer at all the events or get internship one after the other to feel seen within the industry. You have to do what works best for you. But as time goes on and you continue to have your drive and dreams, everything will fall into place. I am not a believer in many things and was a skeptic at “manifesting’ but it really does work. It just might take a little longer than you hoped for.
What has your career path been like so far? How did you end up where you are?
My career on the yellow brick road has been bumpy and rough. I started at 19 working retail for a couple years, through that time I felt stuck and the work that I was doing wasn’t fulfilling. Long story short, after many submissions I landed in ecommerce where I stayed for 2 years, moved up within the company and took on various roles, which led me to figure out that anything can be learned on the job. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I wanted to grow which opened the door for me to succeed beyond what I thought I could grasp. That brings me where I am now. Through my years as an adult, I figured out that everyone learns on the job, which makes me less intimate as I take on higher roles. And how did I end up where I am now? I had to train myself to not let the imposter syndrome keep me down or stuck in “safe” roles. I gave it a shot, and it all fell into place.
What opportunities, decisions, or events shaped your professional life?
One of the best decisions was leaving my small town as soon as I graduated high school. My teen self understood that the person I wanted to be one day, whatever that might be couldn’t grow more there. The opportunities I was able to land as an intern in between both the Film and Fashion industry taught me that there is so much space one person can cover. I didn’t have to limit myself to just one specialty. Professionally, I have tried my best so far to challenge myself in fields I want to gain knowledge and skills from.
What are a few of your proudest accomplishments?
Successfully negotiated my salary on my first try: I had to watch many videos and TikToks on how to do this because it was something I was always so anxious and nervous to discuss
Working in my current company: I’ve been following this company for a few years ever since Ms. Magee brought it up during one of our sessions where we would get together and discuss my future options. Bioworld is everything up my alley in Entertainment, Film, Music, Gaming and Pop Culture. Like I stated before, watching the product come to life after watching it through all the development stages starting with just a concept design is incredible.
Where can we find you online?
IG: DalenaSalinasMusy
Anything else you’d like to share?
On the days when everything feels very overwhelming and hard, go ahead and listen to Britney Spears’ discography.