Fashion Career Exploration

STEP 2: INDUSTRY RESEARCH (team)

Activity 1: Create a Class Wiki

Have you seen the movie "The Devil Wears Prada"?  If so, you definitely know there are important additional factors to consider beyond brand or product when thinking about pursuing employment at a company! The class will work in teams to research specific topics and ultimately build a class Wiki in three parts. By working with your classmates to build this database, you will be able to exchange ideas as well as pool together a larger repository of information than you could create on your own.

Part 1 - Find Your Team:
Team details can be located in the Blackboard Discussion Board post for Team Industry Research. Each team will be responsible for building the below two Wiki pages:

Team 1:
~ Positions (ex: Buyer)
~ Product Classifications (ex: Sweaters)
    http://stylecareers.com/

Team 2:
~ Typical Business Models (ex: Department Store)
~ Product Categories (ex: Women’s)
    https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-retail-2892238

Team 3:
~ Location (ex: Columbus)
~ Company Culture (ex: family owned) 
    https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-tell-if-a-companys-culture-is-right-for-you

Team 4:
~ Anticipated Job Responsibilities (ex: attend garment fittings)
~ Markets/Price Points (ex: Designer)
    http://www.apparelsearch.com/terms/a/apparel_industry_price_point_definitions.html

Part 2 – Research:
Begin by reviewing the resources indicated with the topics and as listed below. You may also utilize your academic experience, personal work/internship history, advice from colleagues and industry contacts, Internet research, etc. Be creative!

Part 3 – Create Wiki:

Visit the class Wiki and create a page for each of your topics (2 pages per team). On the page, list each item, and include a brief definition/description, and give an example when relevant or useful.   Examples of page structure attached below.

General Resources:

LinkedIn online social network for business professionals

TheMuse comprehensive career advice website

Glassdoor anonymous employee reviews of companies, salaries, etc.