Implementing best practices with training and support

I've had the honor and pleasure to teach fashion business (marketing and merchandising) courses for a number of years. 

​I've not only taught fashion classes such as product development, retail buying, and merchandising...I also oversaw a staff of more than 27 full-time and part-time faculty and managed the academic growth of more than 600 students during my tenure as an academic director at the Art Institute of California-San Diego.

I say all of this to say that I don't just enjoy helping to people realize their dreams or goals in life, but that I "love" being a part of a person's positive change...academically or professionally. 

Therefore, when the chance came to interview as a CAD Support Specialist for Gerber Technology I was excited and determined to ace this opportunity.   

My thoughts were...this position was tailored-made for me as "now" here was a job which would allow me to employ both my teaching and apparel skills. 

​I couldn't wait for my demo interview...there was just one or two tiny hitches....

As I've outlined in my portfolio, my expertise is in product development and production.  Let's just say from my prior industry experience, I am most comfortable managing line sheets than a cutter's must or updating PLM rather than modifying a pattern in PDS.

....And this dream job opportunity required me to be able to give a pattern design demonstration using a CAD software...oh boy.

No problem...as I've outlined in my resume, "accepts responsibility and will execute" and so now it was time for me to figure out how I was going to successfully execute this demo.

I did not have access to AccuMark or any other apparel CAD software, but I did know, from my research, that I could use Adobe Illustrator to create a pattern and so that's what I did. 

I taught myself how to a.) use Adobe Illustrator for  patternmaking and b.) how to make a front bodice pattern.  In addition, I created a powerpoint presentation (see below) to reinforce the information I presented in the demonstration.

---

Digital Patternmaking
File Size:	1146 kb
File Type:	pptx

Download File

---

---

---

​I loved the challenge and through grit and grace, was able to impress the hiring team enough to be offered the position and have enjoyed working and learning with Gerber's customers. 

I have not only learned how to use AccuMark Pattern Design, in addition, I train customers with marker making, nesting, and 3D...and continue to hone my skills with alterations, made-to-measure, and our planning software, as well as, Yunique PLM.
​

This position has yielded me the opportunity to train and consult with a wealth of apparel customers insuring that each customer finishes a training or sales demonstration with not only the mechanics of the software, but also with the best practices and strategies needed to effectively adopt and implement the software from either an individual or organization perspective.

---

If you are interested in more information about Gerber Technology's CAD or PLM software then be sure to visit their website or take a moment to watch the video below.