| The vibrant, ever-changing fashion industry is | | | | merchandise manager who carries the weight," |
| always looking for brilliant minds with an idea of | | | | Marvin Traub, a retail consultant, told the New |
| what comes next in design and merchandising. | | | | York Times. "He has an eye to the numbers." |
| Could you be that visionary voice? What does the | | | | While a degree or certificate in fashion |
| future hold for jobs in the fashion industry? | | | | merchandising may not be required for all careers, |
| Check out some of the top fashion industry jobs, | | | | it can help to have the technical knowledge you |
| and learn what you can do to work your way | | | | can pair with you existing passion. |
| into one of these exciting careers. | | | | Merchandising Salary Points. Wholesale and retail |
| Fashion & Retail Management | | | | buyers earned $53,580 in 2007, the BLS reports. |
| If you love fashion and you've always wanted to | | | | That same year, purchasing managers across all |
| own your own business, a degree in retail | | | | industries earned mean annual wages of $90,430. |
| management could be right up your alley. You | | | | While that figure goes well beyond the fashion |
| already know what shoes to pair with that little | | | | industry, it should give you an idea of the kind of |
| black dress for the perfect night out, but you | | | | salary a skilled manager in the field might expect. |
| need to learn the details of management as it | | | | Fashion Designers |
| relates to fashion. Courses in fashion sales, retail | | | | When you first think of jobs in the fashion |
| history, and more can give you the experience | | | | industry, you might picture famous fashion |
| you need to enter the field with confidence. | | | | designers like Donatella Versace or Michael Kors. |
| Management Salary Points. In 2007, retail sales | | | | While it's true that most work can be found in |
| managers and supervisors saw mean annual | | | | fashion hubs California and New York, designers |
| earnings of $39,210, according to the Bureau of | | | | typically work all over the country, running small |
| Labor Statistics (BLS). Management positions at | | | | businesses and boutiques. Whether you're |
| high-end boutiques and specialty stores might earn | | | | dreaming of small-town success or a big-city |
| more, depending on location and experience. | | | | dream, training in fashion design can get you |
| Fashion Merchandising Careers | | | | there. |
| If you stand behind your brand, you have to be | | | | Fashion Design Salary Points. Fashion designers |
| able to sell it. Fashion merchandising is an umbrella | | | | saw mean annual wages of $71,170 in 2007, |
| term that covers a range of careers, including: | | | | according to the BLS. Most designers worked in |
| • Merchandise managers | | | | New York or California, cementing the notion that |
| • Fashion buyers | | | | your best chances for employment are on the |
| • Fashion marketers | | | | opposite coasts. |
| • Fashion sales | | | | While competition is keen for many careers and |
| Even those who specialize in creating window | | | | no degree can guarantee a job, graduates of |
| dressings for department stores fall under the | | | | fashion schools are still finding a viable job market. |
| category of fashion merchandising. | | | | Research fashion schools to get a better idea of |
| Fashion merchandise managers see a lot of use in | | | | your potential future. |
| today's fashion economy. "Today it's the | | | | |