Dress Up Your Talents To Land a Fashion Post

Dress Up Your Talents To Land a Fashion PostDress Up Your Talents To Land a Fashion PostQuestion I am a third-year undergraduate student who plans to work in the business side of the fashion industry. I have contacted a number of large fashion retailers and have been turned down for internships because I am bedrngnis in a fashion-marketing, co-op or internship program because my school doesnt offer them. How can I gain experience in this field? Sarah, MontrealSarah You are faced with the challenge of demonstrating an area of specialization/product knowledge in your case, fashion to complement your business focus.Based on the feedback, you are right to assume that you have to acquire some direct experience to gain entry to this field. Because the traditional routes of a fashion-related major or a co-op are blocked for you, seek out more imaginative approaches to making contacts and learning the fashion side of the business. Attend fashion events or become a student member of a prof essional fashion association, for example, where you can hang out with fashion-industry pros and pick up on the nuances of the industry. If you are competing for positions with fashion majors, it is wise to incorporate some of the relevant academic coursework into your portfolio. Check online or write to fashion-marketing programs for their curriculum, and arrange to take one class, even if it is Internet-based, so you can highlight fashion coursework on your resume. Although your school doesnt offer a formal internship program, see if you can convince a local merchant to take you on as an intern. If large fashion retailers are putting up roadblocks, approach a smaller concern in the industry from a different angle. I recall one student who succeeded in setting up an internship with a local milliner in her tiny boutique shop. She had a fabulous experience, not only becoming part of the retail scene, but making fashion contacts and getting an inside look at hat design.