Exploring Underrepresented Majors in CNS: A Look at Textiles and Apparel with Evelyn Nguyen

Written by juslyn dhingra and Evelyn nguyen

The College of Natural Sciences is home to a variety of majors, many of which don’t always receive the spotlight they deserve. In this article series, we dive into the experiences of students from underrepresented majors or unique tracks, shedding light on their unique perspectives, academic challenges, and contributions. Today, we’re featuring Evelyn Nguyen, a Textiles & Apparel major who aims to become an anesthesiologist assistant. Evelyn shares her journey with Textiles & Apparel, and advice for others interested in this field.

Meet Evelyn Nguyen

Evelyn, a Textiles & Apparel major from McKinney, TX, has her sights set on a career as an anesthesiologist assistant. While that may seem unrelated to her current field of study, Evelyn feels that her major allows her to explore the intersection of healthcare and fashion. When she first applied to CNS, Evelyn hadn’t even heard of the Textiles and Apparel major. “I didn’t know this major existed when I applied,” she admits, emphasizing that this is a common sentiment among her peers. She expanded that had this major been more widely known, she feels that her friends would recognize its importance in pre-health paths, such as seeing the intersectionality between science and design.

Underrepresented and Underfunded

The Textiles & Apparel major faces unique and widely unknown challenges, especially in terms of funding and visibility. Evelyn explains that while there is support for students, she feels that there could be more direct funding for this major. “There’s a lot of hoops and obstacles we need to go through,” she notes, highlighting the difficulties of advocating for a program that is still not widely known.

One of Nguyen’s projects from her Visual Merchandise class

A Day in the Life

For Evelyn, her typical day involves spending time in and around the Gearing building (GEA), where most of her classes take place. Right now, her classes are focused on textiles, which means she’s often in lectures. These lectures vary from notes to industry guest speakers who provide real-world perspectives on textile work. When asked about her time in design-focused courses, Evelyn fondly recalls long hours spent in the sewing lab, where she perfected skills for her major.

Campus Involvement and Community

Evelyn’s interests in Textiles & Apparel extend beyond the classroom, as seen through her involvement in student orgs like Hook’ed and the UT National Retail Foundation. These groups allow her to connect with other students who share her passion for the retail and fashion industries. She’s found that these orgs give her a network and support system that’s even more valuable in her underrepresented field.

Advice for Future Textiles and Apparel Students

Evelyn encourages others considering the major to explore its interdisciplinary nature, emphasizing that T&A is about more than just fashion. “There’s a lot of science involved,” she explains, pointing to the flexibility within the major’s tracks. Students can study everything from clothing construction to product development, gaining knowledge in both the creative and business aspects of the retail industry. For those outside the major, Evelyn’s advice is to appreciate its uniqueness and diversity, stating that, “It’s a great major if you’re looking for interdisciplinary studies.”

By spotlighting students like Evelyn, we hope to raise awareness about the diverse paths within CNS.