CV

 

 Melissa Anne Aitken

2nd year (BA) Interior Architecture student – Portsmouth University

2 years Retail experience

Education

2015-2019 The University of Portsmouth. Portsmouth
BA (HON) Interior Architecture and Design

I currently have a place at the University of Portsmouth which started September 2015. I chose to apply for this course as I have a love of art and design and enjoy combining this passion with designing interiors. I feel Interior is the best way to combine my skill of drawing and art with the computing and technical skills needed for interior design

First year: Averaged at 2:2

Second year skills learnt so far:

  • Better time management.
  • Improving technical drawing skills
  • learning to present work more professionally and clearly.

 

2013-2015 Nescot college, Epsom

Art and design (BETEC) – Merit Pass Pass

 

2008-2013 Cheam High School, North Cheam
Grades B to D in 11 GCSES including Maths, English and Additional Science.

Work Experience

Image result for gantI currently work in the high-end brand Gant as a part-time key holder in Gunwharf Quays, alongside my university studies.

Job roles-

  • Dressing the manikin’s in the shop window and rearranging the shop floor bays to make it aesthetically appealing to customers.
  • Completing paperwork such as; footfall & conversion sheet, budget sheet and trade report.
  • Face to face interaction with customers, putting my product and brand knowledge to good use.
  • putting transactions through the tills and often doing over the phone transactions.
  •  Opening, closing manage the store and the staff in collaboration with other members of management.
  • Occasionally traveling to other stores who are low on staff and need support.

Skills achieved

I feel during my years working in retail have grown as a person and am much more confident within myself and in approaching and talking to others. I believe i can now confidently work in a group with people of all ages, whether I am leading the team or taking instructions from others, retail has taught me how to get a good balance of the two. Having to rearrange the shop floor and dressing the manikin’s has given me the skills to think about what is relevant at that time and what will appeal to customers. For example; The way a manikin is dressed should relate to which season it is or what season is coming up soon. The shop floor should be laid out with the best sellers centred at the front and with clothing relevant to what people will be shopping for at that time of the year.

Image result for house of fraser

Image result for skopesImage result for dune london

 

I worked for 13 months in House of Fraser, 3 months in a mens suit company called Skopes and 10 months for Dune London shoe company.  Working here taught me to always go the extra mile, to put the customer first and present yourself well. Managing a shop floor independently has given me the ability to be able to approach customers with confidence but I am also not afraid to ask colleagues questions on anything I am unsure of.