<p>Hi guys, I could use a lot of advice here especially from you business/fashion related people. </p>
<p>A little background: I'm currently a third year undergraduate student in a prominent biomedical engineering program. I've done well in high school and have a strong science family background so I thought what the heck I'll do engineering to make some good money...except now I'm in my major classes and I'm being bored to death and cannot stand the idea of doing any of this for a living. I've always been a very visual person and really liked the fashion/retail world (I loved making collages out of fashion magazines and putting together looks even when I was a little kid living in a very poor rural town). I work part time in retail and I honestly don't mind getting worked to the ground doing visuals and organizing stock room than sitting at the table cranking out differential equations. I do a little ebay selling on the side and its something I really enjoy as people seem to enjoy my selection of clothings (second hand, picked up for cheap at sales, etc). </p>
<p>Basically, I want to become that person who can speak the language of business as well as fashion (I don't want to be a pure designer or a pure finance/accounting person but I would not mind studying both to gain that skillset). So I've been dreaming of a career as a fashion buyer (now I KNOW it is a highly sought after job and very competitive but it doesn't make me want it any less) because its a job that combines business sense and fashion sense. I could use a lot of information from people who are already in the field or those headed into the field. My questions are:</p>
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<li><p>what do you guys think of engineering degrees? (I know its completely irrelevant to what I want to do) Is it looked down upon because engineers/scientists are usually very sloppily dressed and have little fashion sense? Say you're a recruiter/interviewer, does that show up as strange/fishy for you?</p></li>
<li><p>What would be your recommendation for someone like me? I have no connections that I could use right now sadly because I'm not in the business school or any merchandising/marketing program. I'm thinking of a business minor, would that mean anything? Any advice on breaking into the field?</p></li>
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<p>ANY ADVICE OR OPINION is appreciated. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!</p>
<p>I would see if you can try to switch to industrial engineering. It is the best business oriented degree. Its like SCM, but the engineering side of it. Even if you don’t like it, the degree might help you get into the industry you are trying to go into. Even if you don’t like it, I would finish the degree since you’re already into you’re third year so you might as well.</p>
<p>In all honesty, I think you should stick with your biomedical engineering degree and graduate with it. Find a job in that field while looking for part time fashion jobs. Fashion industry jobs are probably hard to come by, and the last thing you want is to be unemployed sitting on your ass all day trying to find a ****ing job.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, are you interested in money the most? How much do fashion buyers make anyhow</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice you guys, industrial does sound interesting I’ll look into it and see if its an option for me. </p>
<p>As for money, obviously I want to have a secure job with steady income but at this point I really want a job/career that I can be happy with at the end of the day and not feel like “oh crap have to go in again tomorrow!” which is how I’m feeling right now with my engineering stuff. So if that means working 50+ hours in fashion earning 40,000 then I’ll gladly take that over working 40 hours and earning 60,000 in engineering. Realistically, the bioe degree doesn’t really get you much money out of graduation anyway, consider you probably get trained into an ee or cheme in your new job earning a lot less than a real cheme/ee.</p>
<p>Fashion buyers can make anywhere from 40,000 to like 80,000+ depending on your level of experience and which company you work for. The job is highly competitive though because its like the next best thing to be a fashion designer. My dream is to develop a brand/concept of my own one day but for now realistically speaking since I’m so business-oriented when it comes to clothes, I’m better off as a buyer than a designer.</p>
<p>Hi Pussnboots, I just read your post and it has been 2 years since you post this.</p>
<p>I am in a similar situation like you were. I have graduated as environmental engineer. I chose this major because my father ask me to do it. Now I have worked for more than 1 year as an environmental engineer and I feel stuck. I can do it, but I can’t love it. Just like you, I love fashion, I always had an interest in this field but I never be an intern in a fashion industry like you because maybe I was too afraid to try.</p>
<p>I may don’t know but I want to take the risk. I want to work in a place I love. How about you? Have you worked in this field? Or did you choose to stay as an engineer?
Is that possible for me if I want to take master degree related to fashion? Will it be a waste of time?</p>
<p>I am sorry if I ask to much. If you don’t mind will you kindly give me any advice?</p>
<p>As an x-buyer at Nordstrom…there is no greater job in the world! Try looking into FIDM’s post grad degrees, they have great industry connections that come with the program.</p>
I’m in a similar situation, but I’m still in high school so I guess I have time. Is it really that hard to enter the industry? Like I get that it’s hard to be a fashion designer, but with lots of work and dedication, it should be possible to create a name for yourself right? I don’t really know anyone in the fashion industry, and I can’t find many firsthand accounts online, so any help is appreciated.
MODERATOR’S NOTE @lifeisweird You should start a new discussion; hijacking a post is rude to the original poster, plus this thread is 3 years old. Closing.