Lauren Cohen: From Campus Manager to a Full-Timer at Fresh Prints
What career opportunities are available after working as a Campus Manager at Fresh Prints?
That’s something college students often wonder when thinking about what to do after college and how this experience can lead to good careers. Who better to answer that than a former CM turned full-time Business Development Manager (BDM) at Fresh Prints?
Meet Lauren Cohen
Lauren, our former Campus Manager at the University of Florida, studied Business Administration. So if you’re currently searching for business degree jobs or wondering about new graduate opportunities, this is a story you won’t want to miss!
She was the recruitment chair for her sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, when her president mentioned they were considering Fresh Prints for their merch needs. Lauren remembered receiving a CM invitation from us on LinkedIn a few weeks earlier (truly m2b).
Having grown up surrounded by the apparel industry, with her mom’s side of the family working in clothing and fabrics, Lauren was familiar with the environment. So, when the opportunity came up, Lauren gave it a shot.
She made $40,000 in sales during her first semester, and over time, Lauren realized she wasn’t just good at it—she genuinely loved the work, and it showed!
She was awesome, so we knew we had to keep working with her! We offered her a business development internship, and now she’s a full-time Business Development Manager, helping our CMs crush it!
Connecting with People
As a CM and recruitment chair in her sorority, Lauren learned how to ask the right questions to understand people's intentions, which is important when navigating new graduate opportunities. With her training from Fresh Prints, she learned how to build stronger connections and understand what people want. It’s not all garments and designs talk; it’s also about making everyone feel good about their shared goals as a chapter.
She also pointed out how important self-reflection was in her role. Lauren said, “I learned I don’t know everything, and asking for advice is totally okay. Being self-aware and learning from my mistakes has helped me connect better with others, whether it’s with clients or teammates.”
Learn more about what being a Campus Manager at Fresh Prints is like.
Leveraging Her CM Role After College
One of the biggest lessons Lauren learned was how important it is to back up your success with numbers, especially when considering new graduate jobs. “When you’re job hunting, it’s not enough to just say you’re good at something,” she said. “You’ve got to show it with actual numbers, otherwise, it’s all BS.” As a CM, she drove sales, and she highlighted her achievements in her job interviews.
For example, Lauren pointed out that she brought over $100,000 in sales during one semester. Employers want numbers and data in your CV, so that kind of number immediately grabbed the attention of recruiters. Proving her success with solid metrics helped her stand out and gave her an edge in the ever-competitive job market.
Opportunities That Followed Her Time as a Campus Manager
Lauren attended a career fair, where she received sales-related job offers. "I didn’t even know I wanted to go into sales until I saw it all over my resume," she said. The recruiters were super impressed with her experience as a CM and wanted to talk to her more.
One of her job fair tips? Yap about your student opportunities or student career! Reflect on the extracurriculars you were involved in and how you made an impact. Extracurricular activities give you something interesting to talk about in job interviews.
She had a few options, including roles at Hershey and a wine and spirits company. But when it came down to it, she prioritized flexibility, location, work-life balance, and growth—not just how to get a high-paying job. “I wanted a job where my growth was based on my own success and results, not because someone else left,” she explained. That’s what drew her to Fresh Prints, where she knew her contributions would be directly tied to her growth in the company.
P.S. This could be you IRL as a Campus Manager.
Lauren’s Special Message to You: Success Comes From Being Relentlessly Persistent
When she started her role, she knew she wasn’t supposed to know everything right away. But she knew being open to learning and growing was a must.
Lauren stressed the importance of being determined to learn. You don’t have to be perfect. Focus on showing your effort and hitting your goals, and both recruiters and your team will take notice. In her case, we sure did notice and offered her an opportunity to work with us further.
She says her time as a CM helped her learn how to use constructive feedback to improve. That mindset has been huge for her as a BDM, where being open to learning and staying adaptable is key to succeeding long-term.
Lauren’s story shows that being a Campus Manager sets you up for success in so many areas, both during and after college. One of the biggest takeaways from the role is learning how to build strong connections with people—something you'll need no matter where your career takes you. Lauren is a perfect example of this. She’s grown with Fresh Prints and now, as a BDM, she’s helping guide CMs who were once in her shoes to find their success in student opportunities.
If you’re thinking, “Hmm, I want to build a career like that!” now’s the perfect time to start your journey. Apply to become a Campus Manager.
P.S. There are plenty of paths you can take with your CM experience. Check out how Carson went from Campus Manager to Entrepreneur, Lexi to an EY Consultant, and Valerie to an Assistant Merchandise Planner at Abercrombie & Fitch!