Expert: Sue Kayton - 6/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am very confused about were to go and what to study in college. I have always been interested in fashion, and i've been leaning towards a degree of fashion merchandising managment. But, I do very well in school, and i am very good with math and art. I am just afraid that i would be throwing all this away to risk a job in the fashion industry. But, I am very passionate about what I want to do. I just want to be successful. I am interested in the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons New School for Design, both in New York City. I guess I would just like to hear an opinion from an experienced person.

ANSWER: You didn't say what year you are in school, so I don't know how soon you have to make a decision.  Before kids sign up for a super-specialized school such as Parsons (design), or MIT (engineering), Culinary Academy (cooking) or West Point (Army), I always strongly recommend that they spend at least one month interning, working in that field.  Make sure you like it before you commit.

If you haven't already done an internship, find someone working in the design or fashion field that you can intern for, or at least shadow for a few days.  Read some books written by fashionistas or designers to learn more about what they do in the real world, in real jobs.  The real world is very different from The Devil Wears Prada.

If the fashion idea doesn't work out, you can always transfer to a more traditional school.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Come this fall, I will be a junior in high school. I would love to shadow or intern an experienced person in the fashion industry, but i don't know where or how i could contact them. I live in the Chicago area. How would i find an oppurtunity like that?

Answer
If your high school has a vocational or college counselor, or teaches fashion, ask him/her.  Otherwise locate a local community college that offers such classes.  Contact the instructor or, better yet, take the introductory class over the summer.  Almost all community colleges will let rising juniors take classes, and they are cheap.  If they won't let you take it for credit, ask the instructor via email if they will let you sit in the class and listen.

Chicago is a huge city.  I bet if you do some googling or ask around among your parents, and friends' parents, you'll find someone who knows someone who knows someone in the industry.

In 30 seconds googling, I found these places, but obviously don't know anything about their quality.

http://www.colum.edu/academics/Art_and_Design/Programs/fashion/index.php

http://www.saic.edu/

http://www.iadtchicago.edu/

http://www.iadtchicago.edu/p_fashion.asp

http://www.online-education.net/fashion-design/chicago.html

http://www.chicagofashionresource.com/industry/education/fashion-organizations-s

If you find a business, offer to work for a week or a month for free to get experience - you'll be surprised how many will say "yes".