IS THERE A CAREER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY FOR YOU?

by Patricia O'Connor, President/Founder of Fashion Careers of California College

A great variety of careers can be summed up in one word- Fashion! Many people think of it mainly in terms of the people they see most often - the sales staff. That staff is a vital part of the business, but many different talents back up every sale made across the counter. The process of fashion, from concept to consumer, involves thousands of career opportunities and requires a diversity of skills, interests and educational backgrounds.

The designing and manufacturing of fashion apparel provides opportunities for creative individuals. This particular segment of the fashion industry is growing rapidly in southern California, with great strides being made in the San Diego area. The apparel business is an increasingly important part of the San Diego economy. The need for designers, designer assistants, sample makers, pattern makers, production managers and manufacturer representatives is growing. “I get calls on a regular basis for graduates who have the technical and creative skills to fill these positions,” admits Doreen Sladavic, Placement Director of Fashion Careers of California College, San Diego’s locally based fashion merchandising and fashion design college.

Advertising and promoting fashion involves getting the news out about what’s in and what’s “hot” in fashion. Just open any fashion magazine to understand the scope of this field and the money spent to promote fashion and all its related industries, like the cosmetics industry, which spends millions of dollars advertising its products. Fashion writers, stylists, photographers, fashion directors and marketing and promotional positions are all part of this huge segment of the fashion industry.

At the merchandising and retail level are many highly paid executives: store owners and managers as well as regional, divisional, and department managers, buyers, and their assistants. Buyers travel a great deal to the fashion centers of the United States: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Dallas. Major buyers travel to European fashion centers such as Paris and Milan. This work is appealing and very rewarding to the person who likes the competition and the responsibilities that go with a buying position. For the creative person, a career in visual merchandising, store design, or store merchandising may be the ticket to success and job satisfaction.

In the fashion industry, it is hard to mention any special interest or talent that cannot find a rewarding place. Each day is different, presenting new people and new merchandise. Promotions are faster than in other fields for two reasons. First, the fashion business requires more executives than do most other businesses. Second, effectiveness (or the lack of it) is immediately apparent and is rewarded with advancement for the person who shows potential in this field.

A brief word about the kind of preparation you need for a career in the fashion industry. The majority of employers agree that a college education is an asset. Few high school graduates understand the business fully enough or have the maturity to advance rapidly. The best advice is to get as much college education as you can, especially one that focuses on the industry.

FCCC is an accredited college located in San Diego. The college has been educating and training students for the past 21 years.