GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
What is it?:
Apparel design in the real-world is very much dependent on company, brand, city, environment, politics, trends, supply chain, and many other factors. Until students gain real-world experience through interaction with these elements, they will not fully discover their journey as someone in the apparel design field.
Students can gain real-world experience through field trips and internships.
- Engagement in real-world situations
- Navitagion of challenges
- Development of self-efficacy and self-discovery
Apparel design in the real-world is very much dependent on company, brand, city, environment, politics, trends, supply chain, and many other factors. Until students gain real-world experience through interaction with these elements, they will not fully discover their journey as someone in the apparel design field.
Students can gain real-world experience through field trips and internships.
Field TripsField trips can be used to:
Field trips may sound like something that is reserved for elementary school learners, however, college students may benefit from getting outside the classroom and engaging with the apparel design field on a local or national level. Field trip example: Local businesses Many states that house universities with fashion programs also house local apparel design companies. In Colorado, apparel design students may benefit from a field trip to a custom gown design atelier, a multi-million-dollar brand, and an outdoor brand. Furthermore, students may enjoy field trips to museums to see traveling collections such as Christian Dior at the Denver Museum in 2019. Field trip example: New York City Apparel design programs commonly offer options for students to participate in instructor-led field trips to New York City. These field trips offer students an opportunity to experience NYC prior to deciding to move there for an internship or career. Furthermore, instructor and alumni connections may allow for tour of certain industry businesses. These types of tours allow students to gather real-world experience of the environments that they might decide to work in. |
InternshipsInternships can be used to:
Many apparel design programs require that students hold at least one internship role. Some students will work in many internship roles during their education. Internships are the best way for apparel design students to apply what they have learned in a professional setting. Often students will learn new skills, new behaviors, and new things about themselves in internship roles. Internship example: Local or remote experience Apparel design students can gain invaluable experience through local or remote internships. These types of internships do not require students to manage moving to a large city, but still allow students to gain invaluable applied knowledge. Depending on where the student is located, there may be several or few opportunities. Students who intern at small, developing companies/brands may help with growth and thus put themselves in a position for hire post-graduation. Internship example: Remote experience Apparel design students will often seek out internships in New York City or Los Angeles, or even international fashion hubs like Paris or Milan. Similar to a field trip, these experiences allow students to experience the environments of fashion hubs prior to deciding on a career in a large city. Unlike field trips, remote internship experiences can be a time of major self-discovery for students via embarking on a new way of living, a new city, and a new way of applying their knowledge. Internships in large cities, for large companies, can often be intimidating. Overcoming this hurdle can be very beneficial for students as they embark on their careers in fashion or apparel. As students engage in internships, they should reflect on their experiences using writing, drawing, pictures, or videos. Some of the tips from the video below may help them in this practice. |
References:
CSUNFacDev. (2015, May 4). College Field Trips: Connecting the Classroom with Communities [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5cq0SQyRHU
Davis, J. R., & Arend, B. (2013). Facilitating seven ways of learning: a resource for more purposeful, effective, and enjoyable college teaching (1st ed.). Stylus.
Howcast. (2012, September 16). What’s in the Garment District? | NYC Fashion [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WA9ZMgVFzk
kentuckianaworks. (2015, April 6). Why Are Internships So Important? - Version F [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEDR6Jg2Pls
University of York Careers and Placements. (2019, October 11). How To Reflect On Work Experience || Career Tips Series [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6dgF5hE764
CSUNFacDev. (2015, May 4). College Field Trips: Connecting the Classroom with Communities [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5cq0SQyRHU
Davis, J. R., & Arend, B. (2013). Facilitating seven ways of learning: a resource for more purposeful, effective, and enjoyable college teaching (1st ed.). Stylus.
Howcast. (2012, September 16). What’s in the Garment District? | NYC Fashion [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WA9ZMgVFzk
kentuckianaworks. (2015, April 6). Why Are Internships So Important? - Version F [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEDR6Jg2Pls
University of York Careers and Placements. (2019, October 11). How To Reflect On Work Experience || Career Tips Series [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6dgF5hE764