Sydney West

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Sustainability and Teamwork

Industry Interest

In high school, I interned with a sustainable fashion company, and my love of sewing quickly became a fascination with the fashion industry (and its climate-related shortfalls). At WashU, I’ve had the chance to further my knowledge of sustainable fashion by working with Pareto, an apparel company two Olin graduates founded on a fully traceable, “farm-to-closet” supply chain.

I sometimes wonder if I can pursue an industry that causes such harm. This is also what drives me to continue. Without people in the industry who are committed to considering all stakeholders (consumers, producers and the planet), there will not be any improvements.

Why Olin?

I didn’t see myself fitting into the stereotypical cut-throat business school environment, so I was apprehensive. When I visited Olin, all those fears instantly melted as I toured Bauer Hall with two of the warmest people I had ever met. Each student that I asked to describe Olin used the same word: collaborative. Collaboration is deeply woven into Olin Business School.

Favorite Class

I was a bit nervous to take Professor Eleanor Williams’s Consumer Behavior class but was nevertheless very excited. Ultimately, those 80-minute classes became the best part of my week. In each class, we explored a new aspect of human psychology and then ideated as a class on a range of examples within consumers’ lives.

We also worked in teams to partner with local St. Louis nonprofits facing certain business issues. My team’s client was launching a new website and hoping to encourage visitors to take certain actions. Using consumer behavior principles learned in class, we were tasked with developing solutions.

Each student that I asked to describe Olin used the same word: collaborative. Collaboration is deeply woven into Olin Business School.