2. Preparing for Fashion Careers
Chapter 13
Preparing for Fashion Careers
Career Options
Education and Training

3. Chapter Objectives Identify the personal traits valued by employers.
Identify the personal skills valued by employers.
Describe four areas of employment in the fashion industry.
Discuss the education options for fashion careers.
Describe ways to gain experience in the fashion industry prior to employment.

4. Career Foundations
Some jobs in fashion require a high degree of artistic creativity and originality, while others require business know-how and management skills.
Knowledge of the basics of marketing is important for all jobs in the fashion industry.
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5. Personal Traits
Having the right personal traits can make the difference between not getting a job or getting a job—and keeping it.
trait a distinguishing feature or characteristic of a personality
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6. Top-Ten Personality Traits
Personal Traits
Top-Ten Personality Traits
Enthusiasm 1
Positive Attitude 6
Maturity 2
Productivity 7
Self-Discipline 3
Reliability 8
Dependability 4
Punctuality 9
Initiative 5
Independence 10
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7. Personal Skills
Personal skills can be learned and developed with education and training.
skill the ability to competently perform a specific task
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8. Personal Skills
Interpersonal skills include the ability to work with others and be responsible, trustworthy, honest, and loyal.
interpersonal skills skills involving the ability to identify and understand the personal traits of others, including values, ethics, and attitudes
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9. Personal Skills
Key areas of communication include reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
communication the process of giving and exchanging information, ideas, and feelings
These skills can be developed and practiced.
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10. Personal Skills
Most work in the fashion industry is done in team situations.
team a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal
Teamwork is the process of achieving the goals of the team.
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11. Personal Skills
A person with leadership skills is a person who inspires, motivates, and influences others.
leadership the process of motivating and guiding one or more individuals, a group, a business, or an organization to reach objectives
Fashion marketers depend on leaders to develop new ideas and designs as well as strategies for marketing.
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12. Types of Jobs in Fashion
Career opportunities in fashion exist in each of the four segments of the fashion industry—textiles, fashion promotion, design and manufacturing, and retailing.
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13. Types of Jobs in Fashion
Textiles
Research Scientist
Textile Colorist
Textile Designer/ Artist
Converter
Plant Engineer
Marketing Analyst
Production Supervisor
Sales Representative
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14. Types of Jobs in Fashion
Fashion Promotion
Art Director (Designer)
Advertising Director
Graphic Designer
Fashion Copywriter
Fashion Illustrator
Fashion Photographer
Fashion Model
Public Relations Agent
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15. Design and Manufacturing
Types of Jobs in Fashion
Design and Manufacturing
Designer
Patternmaker
Sample Maker
Cutter
Production Manager
Sales
Supply-Chain Manager
Market- Research Analyst
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16. Types of Jobs in Fashion
Retail
Buyer
Merchandise Planner/ Allocator
Associate Buyer
Merchandise Coordinator
Trend Researcher
Store Manager
Human Resources
Manager
Sales Associate
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17. Types of Jobs in Fashion
Entrepreneurial-minded people have started their own businesses in fashion as store owners, consultants, tailors and dressmakers, or import/export specialists.
The opportunities are unlimited for individuals who develop skills through education and training.
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18. Fashion Monster
Operating an e-tail business on an electronic channel—the Web—can be costly, due to design, delivery, returns, and operating expenses.
Though Many larger dot-com companies crashed in the 1990’s, small stores like Harris Cyclery of West Newton, Massachusetts, actually increase sales using a basic Web site. Today, a third of Harris’s bicycle business rides in on the Web to get hard-to-find parts and personal service.
Describe an e-business’s home page to your class after viewing one through marketingseries.glencoe.com.
The first place job seekers look for job openings is usually not the classified ads in the newspapers, but online at job Web sites.
Sites such as Monster, Yahoo! HotJobs, and Craigslist allow job seekers to sift through opportunities. In 2004, Monster led the online job industry by offering postings in 27 U.S. markets.
For more information, go to marketingseries.glencoe.com.
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19. What are at least three personal traits valued by employers?
13.1 1.
What are at least three personal traits valued by employers?
What are four types of personal skills employers seek in potential employees?
What are the four key areas of communication? 2.
Quick Check Answers
Answers may include: enthusiasm, maturity, self-discipline, dependability, initiative, positive attitude, productivity, reliability, punctuality, and independence.
(1) interpersonal skills, (2) communication skills, (3) team-building skills, and (4) leadership skills
reading, writing, listening, and speaking 3.
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20. Sources of Skills and Knowledge
You can discover your career direction by determining your skills and interests, but education and training will give you the advantage in fashion.
There are a variety of educational resources available.
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21. Sources of Skills and Knowledge
Computer-related training and technical expertise is important when working in any of the fashion industry segments.
Microsoft® Excel
Adobe® Photoshop or Illustrator
Painting/ Drawing
Photography
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22. Specialized and trade colleges
Education
Fashion is a fusion of art, engineering, science, business, and technology.
Students can acquire skills and knowledge through:
High school programs
Community colleges
Specialized and trade colleges
Universities
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23. Education
Non-traditional forms of education can supplement fashion education.
Read articles
Go to museums
Talk to people in the industry
Take art classes
Travel
Learn another language
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24. Education
Pursuing a career in the fashion industry can begin in high school.
Develop written and verbal skills through language arts.
Learn problem-solving through math.
Learn analytical skills in science.
Learn computer skills.
Learn business skills in marketing courses.
Take specialized courses in retailing or fashion marketing.
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25. Post-Secondary Education
Many schools offer degree programs that specialize in fashion merchandising and design.
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26. Post-Secondary Education
You can earn an associate degree in areas such as fashion merchandising, visual communications, and fashion design.
associate degree a college degree recognizing two years of coursework at a community college, specialized college, or trade school
Another option is a certificate program.
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27. Post-Secondary Education
To earn a bachelor’s degree, many colleges or universities require that students take academic courses.
bachelor’s degree a college degree recognizing four of more years of undergraduate coursework at a college or university
Some community colleges offer dual admissions with four-year universities.
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28. Post-Secondary Education
Consider these questions when selecting an educational program:
What schools offer a program for the career you have chosen?
How long does the program last?
What is the cost and is financial assistance available?
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29. Post-Secondary Education8.
Stay Informed 1.
Evaluate 7.
Present Yourself 2.
Research
Career Planning Steps 6.
Network 3.
Choose 5.
Experience 4.
Educate and Train
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30. Gaining Experience
Working in the fashion industry while still in high school or college can be a valuable learning experience.
Part-time work experience teaches you about a career firsthand while you earn money.
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31. Gaining Experience
An internship in the fashion business is a great way to gain experience and exposure to the industry.
internship a temporary paid or unpaid position giving students direct work experience and exposure to various aspects of a career
An internship can be paid or non-paid.
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32. Gaining Experience
Job shadowing can provide valuable resources and contacts for your job search.
job shadowing an activity in which a person follows a worker on the job to learn about the job and the workplace
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33. Gaining Experience Many schools provide work-study programs.
In a work-study program, students go to class part-time and then work at related jobs part-time.
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34. Gaining Experience Advantages of work-study programs are:
Students can be trained.
Students gain experience and compensation.
Students gain course credit.
Students gain a greater understanding of how the different jobs within the industry are interrelated.
Students may become eligible for an apprenticeship or other training program.
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35. Trade and Student Organizations
Trade associations serve the business community, and student associations such as DECA can offer a multitude of opportunities.
DECA helps students build and utilize leadership and teamwork skills through chapter activities that serve the members, school, and community.
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36. What are the benefits of an internship?
13.2 1.
What are three ways students can gain experience in the fashion industry?
What are the benefits of an internship?
How can student organizations such as DECA help students prepare for a career? 2.
Quick Check Answers
Possible answers include internships, job shadowing, work-study programs, and participating in trade and student organizations. Answers may vary.
Internships provide experience in the working world, allow you to improve job-search and interviewing skills, provide opportunities for networking, and allow you to develop and impressive résumé.
DECA helps students build and utilize leadership and teamwork skills. The development of social and interpersonal skills as well as career exploration and participation in competitive events are also benefits. 3.
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