Career – CollegeFashionista

3 Fashion Career Myths You’ve Got All Wrong

Those of us seeking a career in fashion are often met with criticism about our decided path of life. Parents, mentors, and friends give us their bits of wisdom hoping to deter us from a career many people view as too risky. They have the best intention for us, but they have some of their facts wrong. Below, I cover three of these fashion career myths and the truths that bust them.

PHOTO: Layne Miller

1—The fashion industry is full of shallow people.

This isn’t necessarily true. While there may be some shallow people in this career field, it isn’t different from any other industries. Some people may be in it for shallow reasons, but most people want to make a difference in the field. There are a lot of ethical issues in fashion that still need to be worked on, and many people going into the fashion industry today have goals to change some of those issues. People are focused now more than ever on creating environmentally friendly clothing, changing the working conditions of the manufacturers, and diversifying those who participate in the industry.

2—You have to go to a fashion school to be successful in fashion.

On the contrary, all you have to do to be successful in fashion is have a passion for it and the drive to never give up. Plenty of big-name designers never went to fashion school and in fact majored in something entirely different. Refinery 29 did a short listicle of designers who did not attend fashion school. Some of those designers include Kate Spade, Giorgio Armani, and Chiara Ferragni.

PHOTO: Amber Sudra

3—It is hard to make a living in fashion.

Isn’t that true of every industry right now? The job market is competitive no matter what industry you are entering so you may as well enter a career field worth being competitive in. Besides, the likelihood of making a living in the fashion industry isn’t really as bad as it seems. In 2016, Fashionista surveyed their readers to find out how much they make on average based on their position. They surveyed people who worked at companies like Prada to people who worked at companies like Macy’s and H&M. Overall, the average salaries wouldn’t leave you living paycheck-to-paycheck, even with NYC’s ridiculous cost of living.

What are some career myths you have encountered? Let us know in the comments below!

Additional photo by Kenia Viezcas.

5 Ways to Ensure You Are Work-Ready

Sitting on the couch, flipping through the latest Vogue, and sipping on tea seems most pleasant for a lifetime ahead. But, there comes a point in life when reality sets in stone and things get oh-so-serious. September is a month of reflection and transition. Reflecting on the joys of summertime but pondering in thought about your career. Well, if you’re sitting there twiddling your thumbs and worried about how to tackle this next chapter of your life, here are five of the best ways to ensure you’re work-ready and be more than ready to apply, interview, and succeed with confidence!

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Appearance is everything

An initial impression is everything. The way you present yourself will show a lot to your employer. Be sure you know what the dress code is and whether it’s smart casual or professional attire. A statement piece for every wardrobe is a tuxedo blazer. You can pair this with anything, whether it’s with a pair of jeans and boots or with a pair of tailored slim pants, a classic heel, and a white shirt with a collar.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

2—Have your résumé up to scratch

A professional résumé is essential. This is what you will give the employer when applying for the job, so an engaging summary, proof of expertise, education highlights, and relevant past experience must be listed on your résumé. A cover letter is always a great thing to have as well, so you can target the job and employer in a very specific way, outlining that the job is attractive to you and why. Get creative and stand out. Remember to tailor each cover letter to the specific job you are applying for.

3—Organization is key

The key to staying organized is having a good diary or planner. Whether you’re old school or tech-savvy, this should be your go-to bible. Make checklists, write down what you need to do for the week, and take note of important dates, ideas, and thoughts. This will guarantee that you will not miss or forget a thing.

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

4—Don’t forget about time management

Plan wisely before any interview. Plan your outfits, your work schedule, your departure times, and your alarms. Having a good grasp of time will help you make conscious choices, enabling you to work smarter even when time is tight and the pressure is high. Have a watch on every day. Not only can you look stylish with a rad watch, but you will never be late.

5—Be prepared for anything

In any interview, questions are going to be posed to you, so you may as well be one step ahead of the team. Research, read, repeat. It’s so important to be confident in your answers, and, above all, be you.

Comment below any helpful ways to get ready for your next career move, whether it be a dream internship or job aspiration. What is an essential way for you to be work-ready?

4 Essential Work Pieces Every College Student Should Have

Summer, you will sincerely be missed—but now it’s time to take on new adventures. As we continue to settle into our fall semester of school, time management can become quite difficult, especially if you landed your dream job or internship. Finding the perfect work wardrobe should not be an additional stress to your schedule. Here are four essential work pieces every Fashionista should have.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Kitten heels

High heels are practical for special occasions, like dates and weddings, but not for the office. Spare yourself the pain and discomfort from wearing high heels and buy kitten heels instead. These shoes have thin, low heels and come in handy if your job or internship requires you to run several errands throughout the day. While you are shopping for kitten heels, try on each style, and see which fit is best for you. If your foot is slender, I suggest searching for kitten heels that have straps. Straps provide extra comfort and help prevent your feet from slipping out of your shoes. Pair these heels with a pencil skirt or a pair of slacks, and you’re set for a chic and comfortable day in the office.

2—Pencil skirts

Pencil skirts are fabulous pieces to have because they offer a wide range of possibilities for your work wardrobe. Colored pencil skirts add a great pop of color to your outfits; however, make sure you buy at least one black pencil skirt. Black pencil skirts offer more wardrobe possibilities and will help you save time. Another great thing about pencil skirts is that they can be styled into casual outfits after work. Swap your blouse and kitten heels with a T-shirt and some Converse, and you’re ready to go have lunch with your friends.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

3—Blazers

Since blazers are so versatile, they make great basic work pieces. They can help you create tons of cute outfits while also saving money. You should buy at least one black blazer, and don’t forget to make sure it is the same shade of black as your pencil skirt.

4—Button-down shirts

Last but not least are button-down shirts. Button-down shirts are classic pieces that pair perfectly with fitted pencil skirts or sleek work pants. Select an array of colored shirts, and have fun creating endless amounts of outfits. You can tuck in your button-down shirts for a more polished look or leave them out for a casual work day outfit.

What are your essential work pieces? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

Additional photo by Lex Kelly.

Why Interning in a New City Alone Is So Important

Every college student knows the stressful feeling of searching for a summer internship. From revamping your resume to perfecting your cover letter, to finding a listing for a potential employer that you like, the entire process requires hard work, determination, and a ton of faith in yourself.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

Then, you finally get an interview which leads to the wonderful moment when you open the email that has a job offer in it. However, now you have to figure out housing and roommates if your internship is somewhere other than your hometown.

Working in the journalism industry, especially in the fashion or beauty side, it is more likely than not that your internship won’t be right next door to your university or hometown.

This exact process is what happened to me this summer and, fortunately, I was able to spend my summer interning about 500 miles away in New York City. However, I moved there and started working at my internship, despite only knowing two other people in the entire city.

Besides moving to college two years ago, I had never really left home without a family member or friend by my side, so starting over in the biggest city in America for a summer was something that terrified and excited me since I confirmed my trip February of last year.

I can’t say it wasn’t hard or that I didn’t get lonely at times, but I can say the creativity, the fast paced work life, the scenery, and the incredible amount of opportunity in New York overshadowed a lot of the little bad moments with a ton of experiences that have shaped who I am today.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

One of my favorite aspects was seeing the incredible fashion, obviously. The trendy summer slides, statement earrings, off-the-shoulder tops, and everything in between made it hard for me to think about returning to normal suburban life.

Going into this internship, I wanted to reassure myself that living in New York City was the path I wanted to go down post-graduation. So I made a conscious effort to push my own social boundaries and talk to other interns and experience the city itself, whether it was with one of the two people I knew or alone.

This mindset allowed me to really dive into my internship and focus on being the best public relations intern I could be. It was really interesting how much work excited me and how little distractions I had when all that was required of me was going to work and experiencing New York.

Overall, I left New York knowing that the work culture there was exactly what I wanted, that the city was what made me feel so inspired, and that public relations fascinated me. Having the opportunity to experience New York in this way made me understand how important it is for a young professional to push themselves outside of their comfort zone, and take the opportunities that force them to grow and gain confidence.

Have you had a life-changing experience like this? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Additional photo by Jordyn Wissert.

How My Agenda Saved My Semester

The new school year is approaching! For us college Fashionistas, that means a new semester with a busy schedule of what seems like endless due dates, events, and meetings. An agenda is essential to having a successful year. If you’re new to the college scene or just need a little extra help with staying on top of things, I’m here for you.

Agendas are becoming more and more popular for students. Everywhere I go, it seems that I’m always finding several types of agendas that are cute and would work for me. Since high school, I’ve been using a planner that became essential to staying on top of all my assignments. My go-to agenda was as a jumbo-sized book that had several lines for each day so I could keep track of every single class assignment, project, or test. When I got to college, I realized that I needed a planner that would cover much more than that.

This past year, I switched to an agenda that fit my personal needs and style. My favorite agenda has a full calendar each month as well as a day-to-day section. It also fits in my purse! I section off each day according to morning, afternoon, and evening. I also color-code by assignments, social/family plans, sorority obligations, and appointments. It took me awhile to transition my organization style from high school to college. Once I found the perfect planner for me, my grades improved! I’ve figured out what works best for me, so getting through the semester has been much easier.

When looking for your next agenda, it’s important to find a layout that will work for your organizing style! Think about your day-to-day activities. Are you a busy bee that likes to make an hourly schedule? Maybe you’re more laid-back and just need to write down a few important dates. These are the factors to think about before you make your big purchase! If you’re really into the planning lifestyle, adding a few organizational accessories and decorations can make the planning process a bit more fun! Keeping up with an agenda may seem tedious to some, but it has been a lifesaver for my busy schedule more times than I can count!

How do you stay organized? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Stay Creative and Motivated in the Summer

Often the sleepy days of summer can mean endless Netflix binging and hours at a job that most likely wasn’t your first choice. If you’re like me and many of my friends, the perfect, inspiring, résumé-building internship did not exactly fall into your lap. The summertime can feel lethargic and discouraging as you leave four months of rigorous and passion-filled college hustle for days spent doing any number of odd jobs from waitressing to retail. As an English major in search of creative and career fulfillment, these are some of the ways I’ve found to keep myself creative and forward-looking, even in the suburban heat of mid-July.

1―Read. Specifically Big Magic by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert. This is one of those books that you read and are instantly convinced that everyone and their mother needs to read it right now. All of the sudden you have six copies sitting on your desk ready for grad parties, retirements, and even birthdays. Maybe that’s just me. While admittedly cheesy at times, and falling into my oft avoided genre of “self-help” Big Magic explores the creative process and how we can bring it back into our lives be it as a writer, photographer, or painter. Big Magic got me back into thinking about how I write and create and even had me brainstorming on the sales floor. Even if you can’t be at school, you can still be learning and indulging in a little self-education.

2―Exercise. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not exactly the poster child for fitness, but this summer I committed with one of my best friends to train for a 5k in August. While I still groan every time my alarm goes off at 6:10 A.M., deciding to run with a friend not only keeps us both accountable but also gets our brains going for the day, talking out our ideas and plans as we glide through neighborhoods and let the endorphins flow. Running is my activity of choice as it does not really require any equipment and is a great way to take in the quiet nature of the early mornings.

3―Make a Vision Board. This is one of those “successful millennial” things I’ve been avoiding for a long time, but after some careful Pinterest research, I sprawled out on my bedroom floor surrounded by magazines and got to work visualizing my future, an exceptionally daunting task. But ultimately, assembling my life on a cork board was as freeing as I could pin my dreams of law school right next to an image of what I imagine to be the Editor-in-Chief’s office at Vogue. Visually laying out my goals helped me to re-center and remember what it was that I wanted and what I needed to do to get it. Decoupaged in vibrant colors and bold type, the future didn’t look all that scary. In fact, it looked quite bright.

How are you staying creative this summer? Let me know in the comments below.

How Career Networking Can Help You Get Your Foot in the Door

Getting your foot in the door for the dream job you want can be extremely difficult. However, there is one thing that can help accomplish this goal. It’s called networking. I am sure you have heard many people tell you to “network,” and it sounds like a broken record. However, it cannot be emphasized enough. Knowing people and having connections is essential. No matter what industry you are going into, I can almost guarantee that these tips will help you network for your future career.

1—Be involved. Being involved on campus opens doors, so immerse yourself in as many activities as possible, and join a club (or two). Fill your planner with dates of events put on by these organizations. Attend these events and see what you can learn from them. A lot of organizations bring in guest speakers, so listen to what they have to say and bring a cute notebook, some pens, and take notes on their advice.

2—Get a LinkedIn. Seriously, make an account. One tip I have is to keep a USB drive of the work that you have done so you can show off everything that you’ve accomplished. Now go and show off the awesome things you have done!

3—Actually use LinkedIn. It’s one thing to make a LinkedIn, but it is another to use it. Establish connections with anyone and everyone you know. The more connections you have on LinkedIn, the more likely an employer is to have a connection to you. Do not be afraid to use this platform to connect with those in your dream job. You could even message them and say that you are a current student and are wondering how they got to their position in their career. People love talking about themselves, so do not be afraid to ask. The worst they could do is not respond!

4—Be polite to everyone you meet. Be polite to everyone when you are networking to get that dream job. You never know who you meet, or who they might know. They just might know the CEO of the company where you have been dreaming of working for years. Plus, you never know who could be around while you are living life. So, always be polite.

5—Believe in yourself. You have accomplishments, you are smart, you are beautiful inside and out, and, most importantly, you got this, you just have to work for it. If you have confidence in yourself working hard for your dreams will be more meaningful. Trust your instincts and believe in yourself. Keep your chin up or the crown slips. Believe in yourself. If you’re reading this, know that I believe in you!

What other tips do you have for career networking? Be sure to comment your tips below!

Workplace Fashion for Any 20-Something

If you are in your 20s, you know that adhering to a dress code in the workplace is difficult when you are also trying to stay on trend. It is important to be aware of the dress code of any job, but it is especially imperative for a 20-something who has just entered the first step of their career.

I work in a corporate office of a fashion retail company, therefore trends are important. However, there are some looks that are just simply not office-appropriate. But, have no fear, there are many stylish and trendy outfits that do make the professional cut! Below are my three office-wear staples that have been tried and true for yours truly.

The Outfit Saver: The Blazer

Everyone should own a blazer, period. It is a foolproof staple to any wardrobe! Most options depend on personal preference, as any blazer coincides with a workplace dress code. Try a structured blazer with slight shoulder pads for a more formal look. For a casual look, opt for an oversized boyfriend blazer in a crêpe fabric.

The Perfect Skirt

I am all for wearing pants, trousers, jeans—you name it! But, choosing the right skirt for a professional setting is where most go wrong. The ideal workplace skirt should be a fabric that fits you but is not too tight (you do not want to risk a rip or split!). You may opt for a skirt that falls below the knee; however, if you are looking for a skirt that falls above the knee, always aim for about two to three inches above the knee. (Note: You do not always have to wear a pencil skirt, switch it up and try the one linked above!)

Comfortable Shoes

Shoes can make or break an outfit. When I hear “work shoes,” I think sensible. Your shoes should be as comfortable as possible, especially for an eight hour work day! If you commute and have a long route before arriving at work, wear shoes you can easily walk around in such as sneakers, oxfords, or flats. Bring a pair of shoes of your choice to change into upon arrival. When it comes to heels, they should be no higher than about 3 inches for most occupations, although some jobs are more flexible. I recommend platforms for any job because of the pressure being exhausted on your feet throughout the day. If you are unsure about how to match your shoe to your outfit, grab a neutral or go for a pop of color!

A blazer, the right skirt, and chic shoes are guaranteed to make you shine in any workplace! There is always room to explore no matter what job you have or job you are working towards. Use these three pieces as a guide to creating your very own, unique office style. Although workplaces have dress codes, you are still an individual and can always express that with each outfit you slay!

What are your office wardrobe must-haves? Comment below!

3 Cool Ways to Wear Embroidery for the Working Girl

If you’re like me and every other working girl in America, choosing between work outfits and trendy summer styles can be hard. Although, life can be a little easier and a lot more stylish when using these tips for styling embroidery. There is a fine line between having a “young style,” and straight up dressing unprofessionally. Hopefully this article will give you some insight on how to rock summer trends and dress like a boss!

1—Business casual. A pair of lightly embroidered jeans is great for a casual Friday in the office. If you’re going to dress casually, it is better to show a little skin. A white button-down dress shirt or a ruffled blouse would pair perfectly with an embroidered pair of jeans. A detailed pair of pants gives the illusion of being more formal than they actually are, while still maintaining the comfort and style of a pair of jeans.

2—Formal. The best way to incorporate embroidery into a formal summer work ensemble is to pair a casual piece with a formal piece. This embroidered blouse matches perfectly with this formal blazer. To stay cool in this brutal summer heat, a breathable cotton blazer is the way to go.

Some accessories that accent embroidery are color blocked purses or shiny shades. When styling your summer work outfits remember to think of the whole picture. Do not focus on just one statement article of clothing, each piece that you’re wearing should play off of the others and highlight a different part of the outfit.

3—Informal. If you’re attending a company barbecue or going to a retreat team-building exercise, shorts or a skirt will be appropriate. To look presentable pair silk or cotton shorts with an upscale blouse. The best way to wear embroidery with shorts is on your feet! These loafers will take you straight from summer into fall because they match with everything.

How do you style your favorite embroidered pieces? Let us know in the comments below!

Why Courage and Your Career Go Hand in Hand

Not every career path is a clear one. If yours isn’t, that’s okay. (No, really, it’s okay.) The reality of it is most, if not all of us will travel down several paths until finally stumbling onto the one we were destined to be on. What matters most is finding the strength—the courage—to switch paths.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to trust yourself. In other words, if you’re in an environment that doesn’t feel right to you, don’t ignore that feeling! Take mental notes on everything you do. Learn more about what you like. Discover what you love. Recognize things that inspire you and things that you’d prefer to avoid. Any experience, no matter how big or small, is what you make of it.

But here’s the catch. Any experience, no matter how much you love it or how much you tolerate it, isn’t worth it if it means putting yourself last. If you feel, even for the smallest of moments, that you’re no longer gaining anything from the experience, dig deeper and figure out why. Consider this: one door closes, another door opens. I want to reassure you that walking away from one experience does not make you a quitter, nor does it mean you won’t find another. In this transition lies an underlying sense of freedom. Now you can pursue an area you want to develop more or an area you’ve never considered! Here is your chance to take a risk. (If it makes you happier or moves you further down the path of your dreams, I say go for it.)

All things considered, it’ll take some time—and that’s okay. It’ll take a lot of work, but that’s okay. Finding the courage to step away from something you love to pursue something new or more meaningful is an amazing strength and accomplishment. Whatever you do, remember to put yourself first and keep your head held high. You got this.

How does your career (or your dream career) inspire you? Share your stories with us on social media by tagging @Cfashionista.

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