I am planning on getting a Bachelors in Fashion Design, but was wondering if I could get apportunities at other various jobs with that?
For example if I were to have my bachelors in fashion would that only entitled me to jobs at farshion/garment making or could I have more options/choices on what I would like to based my work and skills at? #fashion #fashion-design #career
3 answers
Kelly Michelle’s Answer
Hi there!
So I have a fashion merchandising degree from the University of North Texas (Go mean green!)
It depends if you want to be true to a designer or if you want to be more on the business and merchandising side of fashion.
Both are fantastic options.
So, the break down more of what I do, I visually design the stores, analytics and marketing are more the career directions you can go with fashion merchandising.
With design you are more restricted to careers in product development, design and textiles. Your courses will be more centered around those focuses, however everything varies per company a bit.
It is heavily suggested that you are mastered in adobe photoshop and suite overall as that is expected from designers that I worked with.
UNT has a fantastic fashion merchandising program that is one of the top in the nation with design not far behind. https://art.unt.edu/design/fashion-design
Kelly Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Emilia J.’s Answer
Hi Eimee,
This is a great question!
I obtained my Bachelors in Fashion Design and I worked in Merchandising and Product Development. As Kelly Michelle mentioned, each company is different. I got into Merchandising in one company because they saw it as an asset that I hold a degree in Fashion Design - I knew what details can "make or break" a design and one of our roles was to design a small collection of clothes which suited to a particular market place.
With designing, it is not just about drawing together beautiful clothes. You work with people, you learn how to negotiate with them and learn how to adapt to certain changes in the market. These interpersonal skills are incredibly valuable for many other jobs outside of fashion. If you ever feel like you are going through a career change (small or big), you can build your resume to showcase the skillsets you have obtained that will benefit your next potential employer!
Another option is to go back to school. I was in the industry for seven years when I realized I wanted to pursue a career in teaching fashion! I researched and managed to ind a great graduate program that allowed me to utilise what I learned in my career and develop it towards my next career goal!
Aurora Meneghello wrote a great article on Glassdoor.com on career changes. It shows how we can make successful career changes in life, even though we majored in something different.
The main thing is, follow your gut! If you really want to pursue Fashion Design, go for it! You may end up building a great career from it. If you feel strongly towards another career path, you will definitely find a way to pursue it!
Jeanette Roch
Jeanette’s Answer
Hello Eimee. I am not in the fashion design field but I do have some thoughts which were confirmed by a brief internet search. Here are possible career choices/opportunities: fashion designer, retail buyer,
retail manager, retail merchandiser, stylist, textile designer, visual merchandiser. You might want to consider taking some business courses in case you decide to start your own fashion design firm or start a business as a stylist. This seems like a good website that discusses career options: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-fashion-degree.
Jeanette recommends the following next steps: