Alumni Spotlight Series: Ava Schumacher

Introducing the Alumni Spotlight Series

The Retailing & Consumer Science program is launching its new Alumni Spotlight Series, a twice-monthly feature highlighting graduates who are making an impact across the retail and consumer industry. Through short Q&As, alumni reflect on their career paths, the skills shaping their success, and insights for current students preparing to enter the field.

The series begins with 2023 graduate Ava Schumacher, who has quickly built a career with The RealReal. After spending a year and a half as a Business Development Representative, Schumacher now serves as a Luxury Consignment Executive (Account Manager) in Denver and is set to transition to the Phoenix market this May.

See her insights below to learn more about her career journey.

Name: Ava Schumacher

Year Graduated: 2023

Looking back on your career after completing your Retailing and Consumer Science degree, what experiences or skills made the biggest difference in helping you succeed in the retail or consumer industry?

The experiences that made the biggest impact on my success were those outside of the classroom. One of the strengths of the Retailing and Consumer Science program is how intentionally it connects students to real-world opportunities. Through organizations like NSFRA, as well as experiences like the New York City trip—where we met with major retail brands and saw firsthand what careers in the industry look like—I gained early exposure to the professional landscape.

Additionally, being involved in SAB and participating in Retail Fuse helped me develop confidence within a business setting.

These experiences allowed me to better understand the industry firsthand, build connections, and enter the job market with a stronger sense of where I wanted to be in a few years.

How do you see the retail and consumer industry evolving over the next 5–10 years, and what skills should students develop now to stay competitive?

The retail and consumer industry is always evolving. I think right now AI and consumer intelligence are at the forefront.

Companies are investing in advanced data analytics and internal AI tools to better understand their customers. I’ve already seen this transformation firsthand at The RealReal over the past year and a half, where technology has significantly influenced how we work and make decisions.

To stay competitive, students should prioritize the understanding of technology and be open to learning new tools and systems.

Adaptability is key—the more comfortable you are with evolving technology, the more valuable you will be in the industry. Change is the only constant in terms of technology!
 

If you were a student in the Retailing and Consumer Science program today, what would you focus on doing differently to prepare for your career?

If I were a student today, I would place a greater emphasis on sustainability-focused coursework.

Sustainability has become a major priority in the retail industry, especially given the environmental impact of fashion.

Understanding sustainable practices, ethical sourcing, and circular business models is increasingly important, and it’s an area that will only continue to grow in relevance. The circular business model of consignment is what lead me to The RealReal in the first place.

Building knowledge in this space will make you more competitive as a candidate & get you thinking about the future of retail and where the industry is headed.