So you wanna be the next Editor of Vogue, the Creative Director for Elle, or the Fashion Stylist for Chanel? Well, you may land your dream job sooner than you think.
Pursuing a career in fashion definitely comes with challenges, but overcoming these difficulties will make your work days extremely rewarding. Even if you’re required to take five different buses to make it to a trade show, or are forced to pull an all-nighter to edit photos, your passion for fashion will make it all worth it! Many people who currently work in the fashion industry have participated in prestigious fashion programs all over the world. However, there are individuals that have made it to the top of the industry solely because of their motivation and determination.
Sooooo…. turns out that you don’t even have to hold a fashion degree to work in the industry!
I’m currently in my third year at Queen’s University. Although I’m grateful to attend such an amazing institution, I often question whether I made the right choice by coming to Queen’s. It’s tricky because Queen’s doesn’t offer any fashion courses, which is truly where my passion lies. I have come to the realization over the past three years that I can still pursue a fashion career after graduating from Queen’s, even without having a degree in fashion.
Want to work in fashion while still studying? Here’s how:
- Participate in Summer Programs and Apply for Fashion Internships
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Do you think you’re too young to apply for ‘real’ jobs? The truth is, it is never too early to apply. Plenty of Summer fashion programs look for driven and hardworking individuals who are eager to step foot into the industry. When looking for an internship, if you come across a paid one, that’s a bonus! Even though unpaid internships will not give you extra spending money, they’re TOTALLY worth it. If you prove to your employer that you mean business, they could give you an opportunity to work at their company or will help you find a job in the future. Also, you will make a name for yourself, which isn’t so bad either;)
- Network and Make Connections
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Always talk to your friends and family members about who they know and if they have a connection to what you’re interested in. Sometimes it’s not about what you know, but who you know. In high school, I was lucky to have the experience to shadow the creative team at Flare Magazine in Toronto. I was able to have this opportunity, as my friend had a family member with a connection to the magazine. Another way to network, is to look on Facebook and find future fashion events in your city. There are tons of meet-ups for future creators and professionals, where you can speak to others and make long-lasting connections. Ask questions, and be curious. It never hurts.
- Start Your Own Business
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Come up with a business plan and think of a specific service or product that you believe a certain demographic would find useful. One example is customized university clothing which has been hot these past few years. At many university campuses, students revamp some of the older styles, and sell new and improved clothes out of their house or online. It’s a great way to make a few extra bucks and to start a business which could turn into a career.
- Instagram Is Your Friend
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Post pics… lots of them. Create a separate Instagram account and designate it as your go-to place to post fashion or business ideas. You can post pics of your outfits of the day, your fav fashion quotes, or your favourite products. Creating this separate account from your personal account will help you feel at ease as you will not feel like you are spamming your followers with daily pics about fashion. The people who should follow your fashion account should be individuals who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself.
- Start a Fashion Blog or YouTube Channel
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At the beginning, this can feel super embarrassing because it will feel unnatural and awkward. Most of the famous fashionistas on YouTube right now admit that they felt embarrassed at first and were scared of their peers finding out about their videos. Get over that fear, sis! It will be totally worth it once you have thousands of subscribers.
XO. Julia.