Dressing for Success

Landing a coveted internship usually involves hours of researching, networking, and résumé polishing, scouring websites and setting Google alerts. Curtis Aiken’s (AS22) approach was quite different: In spring 2022, he simply walked in the door of Delaware Sen. Chris Coons’ office and asked for one.

Aiken’s initiative was evident well before this bold move, and it continues today; he is the founder of startup company QuickDress, a style and fashion app, and also works as an exam proctor at UD.

Accepted to the UD Associate in Arts Program (AAP) in 2018 and planning an eventual marketing major, Aiken sought the advice of Dover academic advisor Melvin Mendoza to ensure he was on the right track. “Because of our conversation, [I saw that] majoring in communication was a possibility, especially when I took more of those classes than my required marketing classes,” he said. “In my second year, I officially switched to the media communication pathway.”

Aiken saw the value in taking initiative socially, as well, seeking out clubs to join and events to attend in Newark while still a student at the Dover campus. Although it was sometimes difficult to build relationships in Newark, he said, it was well worth the time and effort.

“My advice to current or future AAP students is to put in the work to meet people at the Newark campus so it can go smoothly as possible when it's time to transition,” he said.

After transitioning to Newark for his junior year, Aiken learned about Horn Entrepreneurship’s Summer Founders program. Aiken took the simmering idea he had been working on and crafted his pitch for QuickDress, a smartphone app that helps consumers inventory their own clothing, develop new outfits, and find new fashion choices—all from within the app.

Aiken was thrilled when his pitch for QuickDress was selected as Best Creative Startup during Horn Entrepreneurship's Pitch Party, where students share their concepts with their peers and a panel of alumni judges. While the app is still in development, he said, “When completed, [QuickDress] will help consumers find an outfit and help retailers direct market to consumers to increase sales.”​

While one might think that this would be plenty to keep him busy, Aiken still felt he could achieve more. “I was almost a year out from graduating and I wanted to do something ambitious,” he said. “I was driving down the road one day and saw that Senator Chris Coons had an office near where I lived, so I walked in to ask about any upcoming opportunities.”

Upon learning about two communications internships available within Sen. Coons’ team, he applied and was selected as a press intern. Aiken spent his summer traveling throughout the state to press and political events with senators Coons and Tom Carper.

Aiken is grateful for both the communications and political experience it gave him, he said. “During this internship my communication skills learned at UD were strengthened,” he said. “It also increased my political awareness about issues that directly affect Delaware.”

Looking back at his time at the AAP and the University, he has advice for AAP students who will be making the transition to Newark to complete their four-year degree.

“AAP is a tight-knit and diverse group, and many students feel overwhelmed and alone [after moving to Newark]. Please step out of your comfort zone — you would be surprised at how many of your fellow peers feel the same way,” he said. “Four years goes by fast! Enjoy yourself.”

Article by Erin Tanner

Photos courtesy of Curtis Aiken​