From Auburn to Beauty Aisles: How Elizabeth Massa Found Her Spark in Merchandising
For Elizabeth Massa, a 2021 Apparel Merchandising graduate with a Business minor, the path to success in the beauty industry began during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. Graduating in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic made job hunting difficult, but a stroke of good fortune and preparation helped her get her start. When a recruiter reached out to her on LinkedIn about a position with skincare brand Kat Burki, she jumped at the opportunity. That first role became the foundation for what’s now a thriving career in the beauty and retail space.
After gaining valuable experience at Kat Burki, Elizabeth joined Williams Sonoma, where she built on her merchandising and brand management skills. Today, she works as an Assistant Manager of Sales Administration at NEST New York, supporting the sales and marketing teams to keep daily operations running smoothly. From managing orders and tracking shipments to coordinating product launches and maintaining product data, her work plays a key role in bringing NEST’s products to life.
One of her favorite parts of the job is seeing the tangible results of her hard work. “It’s really rewarding to see products I’ve helped launch out in the world, whether that’s on a store shelf or in someone’s home,” she says. “It makes everything come full circle.”
Breaking into the New York City job market, however, came with its challenges. Moving from Auburn to one of the most competitive cities in the world was a big adjustment. The pace was faster, the expectations higher, and the competition was fierce. Elizabeth credits her success to persistence, networking, and the willingness to ask for help when she needed it. She believes staying proactive and building strong connections were key to establishing herself in the industry.
Looking back, Elizabeth says Auburn played a huge role in shaping her career. The faculty in the Apparel Merchandising and Design program made a lasting impact, not only by teaching practical skills but also by providing personal support. “The professors really cared about us and wanted us to succeed,” she recalls. “They were always willing to stay late or explain things more in-depth, that kind of encouragement meant a lot.”
Now several years into her career, Elizabeth has learned what it takes to succeed in the professional world and what she values in others. When it comes to working with or recruiting new talent, she looks for people who are curious, dependable, and eager to learn. “You can teach skills,” she says, “but you can’t teach attitude. It’s all about being proactive, positive, and a good communicator.”
Her advice for students and young professionals is simple but powerful: don’t be afraid to reach out. Networking and asking questions can open doors you didn’t even know existed. “People are usually more willing to help than you think,” she says. “Use LinkedIn to your advantage and connect with everyone you can, even your professors.”
From growing up in Alabama to making her mark in New York’s competitive beauty industry, Elizabeth Massa has built a career rooted in hard work, creativity, and collaboration. Her journey is a testament to what happens when Auburn determination meets big-city ambition.
War Eagle!
