Fashion and Retail Careers

The fashion and retail industries are associated with the creation, design, promotion and distribution of apparel and other merchandise to the general public. According to Vault, “New York City is often seen as the heart of the U.S. fashion and apparel industry, and nearly 40 percent of all salaried fashion designers are employed there…Executive offices of apparel manufacturers usually are located in the same states as the factories, but nearly every important apparel manufacturer has a sales office in New York City.”

Companies in the fashion industry usually hire on an “as needed” basis. But many major companies offer rotational and internship programs that will allow you to develop the skills and exposure necessary to start a career.

Information Gathering

If you are interested in fashion or retail, you should follow that industry closely. Read trade magazines Read trade magazines like Women’s Wear Daily and newsletters, like Vogue Business newsletters, and . Join relevant email lists. Follow industry insiders on social media. Research the types of positions that are available in those fields. Check out Fashion United’s comprehensive overview of job titles and descriptions. Vault, available free to Georgetown students, is a good place to start your search. Specifically, the Vault blog has various “day-in-the-life” accounts of fashion buyers, inventory planners and product managers. Company websites, O*NET, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook are equally helpful resources.

Select Resources

National Retail Federation (NRF) — NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association and an excellent place to look for jobs.
Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) — Often called the fashion bible, WWD is a leading authority for news and trends in the worlds of fashion, beauty and retail.
StyleCareers – Online since 2001, StyleCareers.com is the largest, fashion-only job listing site on the Internet.
Business of Fashion (BoF) — BoF is a daily resource for industry insiders that bridges the gap between fashion as a business and fashion as a creative industry.
Fashionista — Fashionista publishes results from their annual fashion industry salary survey and is a source of fashion news, criticism and career advice.
Style Portfolio —The premier online portfolio resource for the fashion-related industries

Making Connections

Go to employer information sessions, industry events—on and off-campus—and connect with the local chapter of popular professional organizations. Professional associations host a variety of professional development, educational and networking events. If the cost of membership is prohibitive, contact leadership and ask if there are sliding scale prices for students. Volunteering for a conference, educational, or social event is another great way to connect with leaders in the industry.

Develop a LinkedIn profile that communicates your personal and professional brand. Joining groups related to your industry is a great way to meet new people, find mentors, contacts, and ask questions. Reach out to alumni through Hoya Gateway and the alumni section of Georgetown’s LinkedIn page. The Cawley website provides helpful guidelines on networking and informational interviewing.

Making Connections at Georgetown

Joining a school club is a good way to learn more about the industry, develop your skills, and get hands-on experience. Check out The Georgetown Retail & Luxury Association if you are interested in corporate positions or publications like The Georgetown Voice or The Hoya if you are interested in writing about the industry.

On and off-campus jobs are another excellent way to build skills valued by employers. Working a retail job for a brand you love shows the employer you know the customer and the product. It also gives you an opportunity to build skills in merchandising and styling, sales and marketing.

Preparing Your Application Materials

To better understand what skills to highlight on your resume, check out internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions in fashion. Employer websites are great places to research industry opportunities.

Your resume should be one page, and your cover letter should be thoughtful and concise. See our resume formatting guide for more tips and advice.

Applying

Internships enable you to gain valuable professional experience prior to graduation.

If you are having a difficult time finding a full-time job after graduation you may want to consider a post-graduation internship or fellowship, which is common in these industries, and often leads to full-time employment.

In terms of salary, Fashionista conducts annual salary surveys. Also check out the Cawley website to find additional salary resources.

Select Job Sites

  • Business of Fashion: Job board of BoF,  platform that provides news, analysis, career postings, and advice on the global fashion and beauty industries.
  • Fashion Jobs: Job board of Fashion Network USA.
  • Retail Crossing: RetailCrossing is a retail job board that connects small and large retailers with job seekers around the country.
  • StyleCareers: Online since 2001, StyleCareers.com is the largest, fashion-only job listing site on the Internet.

Employers programs popular with Georgetown students

You can also check out the National Retail Federation’s Top 100 Retailers 2024 List and Fashion United’s Top 200 Fashion Companies in the World — Public and Private for career opportunities.