NEWS
NORMAN, Okla. – As hundreds of thousands attended New York Fashion Week this past September, Anna Tidmore experienced the buzz from behind the scenes. The Abilene, Texas native spent the week working in a showroom with a sales agency, connecting designers with wholesale buyers and gaining firsthand experience with merchandising.
Tidmore’s internship highlighted her unique journey at the University of Oklahoma. Though she’s long had both a passion for fashion and a math-oriented mind, she was unsure of how to pursue her interests in college. Tidmore decided to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, unsure whether it would stick, but the Price College of Business turned out to be the right fit.
“It’s a great balance for me and the way my brain functions,” Tidmore. “I’ve always been really good with math, but I’ve also always looked for a creative outlet, and it’s been a great combination of the two."
Tidmore used to consider a career in fashion unlikely because of its highly competitive atmosphere. Still, she decided to take a chance on it while at OU. She knew she had to reach for the opportunity rather than never try. “Whether you fail or succeed, both will allow you to learn more about yourself and what works for you,” she said.
With that determination, Tidmore landed her internship with the AR Agency — which represents resort wear designers — and took part in New York Fashion Week. The opportunity went so well that she was invited to attend Paris Fashion Week just days later. She said both events were not only unforgettable but also related to her coursework.
“I’m taking a supply chain class right now, and I’ve been able to apply my knowledge in that class into these experiences in New York and Paris,” Tidmore said.
At OU, Tidmore has participated in Price’s JCPenney Leadership Program, which she said has helped prepare her for the corporate world and connected her with other driven business students. As part of the program, she became a board fellow with Among Friends, a Norman nonprofit that offers community for adults with disabilities.
She now serves as the board’s secretary and has learned about more than just how a small nonprofit operates.
“They've taught me about the importance of grace, being thankful for the little things in life, and just enjoying the moments that we have with the people that we love,” Tidmore said
As Tidmore moves forward with lifelong OU connections, including her sorority sisters at Alpha Gamma Delta, she’s using her early graduation to take time and consider what her future should look like – whether back in New York City, abroad, or elsewhere. She credits the Price College of Business for helping her get to this point.
“I’ve had several professors who I’ve absolutely loved,” Tidmore said. “The community within Price is strong. I’ve met amazing friends and mentors and have learned so much.”
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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