Attending a fashion school is one way to prepare for a career in the fashion industry. Whether pursuing a career in fashion design or fashion merchandising, choosing a fashion school can be a challenging task. There are many highly regarded fashion schools and some that are not as highly regarded. In order to separate the two there are some things prospective students should consider. Among the considerations are the fashion school's job placement history, cost, required internships, experience of instructors, relationship with the fashion industry and proximity to fashion markets.
Breaking Into the Fashion Industry
Students should consider the job placement history and statistics of their considered school as well as job placement assistance. Schools such as LIM College and Fashion Institute of Technology have job placement offices that assist students and alumni in attaining jobs in the fashion industry. The LIM College website lists job placement statistics. Job placement offices also host career fairs and have listings of open positions within the fashion industry.
The fashion industry is very competitive and industry experience is important. Many fashion schools have mandatory internships that prepare students for fashion careers. Many fashion colleges have programs where students are required to intern and receive credit for working in the industry. Experience is important in the competitive fashion industry and internships are one way to get experience. Internship requirements and institutional internship programs are valuable for competing in the job market.
Considering the Fashion School's Cost and Faculty Experience
Students should take into account the average starting salary for entry-level positions within their field in the industry. Students should evaluate the cost of attendance at their chosen fashion school against their expected starting salary and long-term income potential. Entry-level positions in the fashion industry are generally not high paying and it may take years of hard work to land a significant salary. Many students take on significant student loan debt to complete their fashion studies and therefore students should consider total cost of education and debt load.
Many professors at fashion schools are former industry professionals with years of experience in the field. Students learn the business directly from those employed in the field. Most fashion school professors also have masters degrees or doctorates in the subject matter they teach. This is especially true in the general education courses such as English and Math. For industry specific courses such as Visual Merchandising or History of Fashion, faculty is most likely to have industry experience instead of advanced degrees.
The Fashion School's Relationship to the Fashion Industry
Another consideration is whether the chosen fashion school has established relationships with the industry. Many fashion schools have industry connections. High ranked fashion industry executives sit on the boards of fashion colleges and alumni contribute to the schools. This is an advantage that fashion schools have in contrast to a college or university that does not focus on fashion studies.
Proximity to the fashion industry is an important consideration for prospective fashion students. Schools located in garment centers such as New York and Los Angeles have an advantage over other fashion schools due to their proximity to the industry. Field trips, industry guest speakers and a wealth of internships are just a few of the advantages of fashion schools in New York and Los Angeles. Attending fashion school in close proximity to a garment center also gives students the opportunity to volunteer at trade shows and fashion weeks since many designers and fashion companies look to fashion schools for volunteers.
An education in fashion can be a valuable investment for prospective fashion industry professionals. The above considerations will ensure that a prospective fashion student chooses a fashion college that best prepares them for a career in the fashion industry.
Breaking Into the Fashion Industry
Students should consider the job placement history and statistics of their considered school as well as job placement assistance. Schools such as LIM College and Fashion Institute of Technology have job placement offices that assist students and alumni in attaining jobs in the fashion industry. The LIM College website lists job placement statistics. Job placement offices also host career fairs and have listings of open positions within the fashion industry.
The fashion industry is very competitive and industry experience is important. Many fashion schools have mandatory internships that prepare students for fashion careers. Many fashion colleges have programs where students are required to intern and receive credit for working in the industry. Experience is important in the competitive fashion industry and internships are one way to get experience. Internship requirements and institutional internship programs are valuable for competing in the job market.
Considering the Fashion School's Cost and Faculty Experience
Students should take into account the average starting salary for entry-level positions within their field in the industry. Students should evaluate the cost of attendance at their chosen fashion school against their expected starting salary and long-term income potential. Entry-level positions in the fashion industry are generally not high paying and it may take years of hard work to land a significant salary. Many students take on significant student loan debt to complete their fashion studies and therefore students should consider total cost of education and debt load.
Many professors at fashion schools are former industry professionals with years of experience in the field. Students learn the business directly from those employed in the field. Most fashion school professors also have masters degrees or doctorates in the subject matter they teach. This is especially true in the general education courses such as English and Math. For industry specific courses such as Visual Merchandising or History of Fashion, faculty is most likely to have industry experience instead of advanced degrees.
The Fashion School's Relationship to the Fashion Industry
Another consideration is whether the chosen fashion school has established relationships with the industry. Many fashion schools have industry connections. High ranked fashion industry executives sit on the boards of fashion colleges and alumni contribute to the schools. This is an advantage that fashion schools have in contrast to a college or university that does not focus on fashion studies.
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Proximity to the fashion industry is an important consideration for prospective fashion students. Schools located in garment centers such as New York and Los Angeles have an advantage over other fashion schools due to their proximity to the industry. Field trips, industry guest speakers and a wealth of internships are just a few of the advantages of fashion schools in New York and Los Angeles. Attending fashion school in close proximity to a garment center also gives students the opportunity to volunteer at trade shows and fashion weeks since many designers and fashion companies look to fashion schools for volunteers.
An education in fashion can be a valuable investment for prospective fashion industry professionals. The above considerations will ensure that a prospective fashion student chooses a fashion college that best prepares them for a career in the fashion industry.