How different would your first day of college have been if you walked into the classroom to see former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Amy Astley, waiting there in all her glory to greet you? Umm yeah, I definitely want to request a re-do.
However, I recently became #blessed by participating in an online certificate program with Parsons School of Design and Teen Vogue that lowkey sets you up to enter the fashion industry right now. Even better? The first thing you see is Amy Astley personally welcoming you.
This is no normal fashion class, ladies. Prepare to have your little Gucci-loving minds blown.
How the course works
If your dream is to enter the world of fashion after college, or you’re just interested in re-shaping your personal aesthetic, you need this.
After enrolling in the program—which costs $549 for the full ‘semester’—I got to participate in six courses that taught everything, like how to jump-start my career from industry essentials to fashion marketing and PR skills. In total, the course is designed to take 42 hours, so depending on how motivated you are, you could theoretically finish this in a week. If you’re an average, lazy person though, you’re allowed up to a year to finish the program.
Each course has sections that features lessons about very specific subjects (everything from white dresses to runway looks) and assignments you turn in to be reviewed and evaluated. I learned through video lectures from Parson’s faculty and supplementary reading from Teen Vogue. Getting to watch a lecture from my faves like Rebecca Minkoff and Francesca Sammaritano pretty much ruined my gen ed bio lab for the rest of the year.
Even though this is probably making you jump up and down screaming (I did too!), earning this certificate is still work. You don’t get to lazily stroll into this competitive industry without putting in the time and legitimate effort the certificate program demands. I spent hours making Pinterest boards, exploring the boutiques in town, reflecting on collections and taking photos of myself like I was a Teen Vogue cover star. No matter how fun those assignments sound, it’s not always a breeze. The more effort you put in, the bigger the reward will feel, I promise.
How the course is going to help you
Maybe you’re someone who has always had a passion for style and wants to enter the fashion industry, but you have no idea how. You’ve had your fingers crossed that someone would notice your style blog. Your only dream is to move to New York City and become a designer. Parsons and Teen Vogue can definitely make all these things happen!
Earning a “Certificate in Fashion Industry Essentials” made my resume competitive AF. I can say goodbye to worrying about getting a summer internship, and say hello to unlimited options. Once you know the workings of the industry, you’ll be in.
One of the most invaluable parts of this course for me was learning how to use social media to build my fashion community. Knowing how to market myself made me feel like I was defining trends instead of following them, and the world was totally ready to see my full fashionista self. The networking options that come your way will also be beneficial, and I connected with other college women who I’ll probably be working with side-by-side later in my career.
Even if you aren’t sure what area of the industry you want to go in to, this crash-course will cover everything so you can pin down your goals and focus only on doing what you love. Everything about this course will lay down the foundation for your future.
I want to be a digital magazine editor, and even though fashion isn’t part of my personal goals, the supplementary knowledge from this certificate has left me prepared to work at a fashion magazine and made me more focused on developing my personal brand to portray myself in the best way.
It’s time for you get started on this, and I can’t wait to hear how this program helps you, too.