Developing a Professional is an Art

Jeanette Waterman School of the Arts Career

Consultant

Meet your career consultant

• Jeanette Waterman– Master of Science

– Counselor Education: College Counseling– Emphasis on Career Advising– Over six years of training in the field of career advising

Meet your career consultant

• How can you reach me?– The classroom– Email: ejwaterman@vcu.edu– Facebook: Ram Careers– AIM: VCU UCC– Website: www.jeanetteknowsjobs.com– Phone: 828-4846

How can you and the UCC help?

• Defining your career and future – Choosing a graduate program– Choosing a career path

• Networking and Job Search

• Developing your professional image– Resume, cover letter, and portfolio

reviews – Interview skills

Defining your Career and Future

Criteria for choosing a graduate program:

• Accreditation• Admissions

standards• Career assistance• Cost/financial aid• Culture• Degrees offered• Faculty• Focus of program• Location

• Multiculturalism of campus/program

• Physical facilities • Reputation/ranking• Resources • Size • State regulations• Surrounding

community

Choosing a career path

• Most common career paths for Fashion Design and Merchandising alumni

 Buyers and Purchasers Industrial Designers

Product Developer Magazine ColumnistFashion Designers Theatre, Film, and TV Technicians Imaging Assistants   Fashion Coordinator/Forecaster Market Research Trainee Assistant Buyer Advertising/Sales

Are these your only options?

NO!

Want to look for more options?

• There are several different ways for you to conduct your research. However, here are a few links to help you get started in the process. They are based on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). This resource was designed to answer the question of "What do they do?“

• CHECK THEM OUT!• O*Net Online:

http://online.onetcenter.org/• CareerInfoNet:

http://www.careerinfonet.org/Occupations/select_occupation.as

Networking and Job Search

Where are the employers?

• VCU Fashion Design graduates now hold positions as designers, patternmakers, and product developers in companies such as Nike, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Norton McNaughton, Eddie Bauer, Perry Ellis and A/X Armani Exchange.

• VCU Fashion Merchandising graduates have achieved significant positions such as Marketing Editor: Mademoiselle, Fashion Director: Vibe, Rolling Stone, Fashion Forecaster: Cotton Incorporated, President: Todd Oldham Jeans, Product Development Specialist: The Gap, Anne Taylor, Banana Republic, and Armani Exchange, Buyer/Allocator: Nordstroms, Calvin Klein, Footstar, Hecht's, S & KMenswear, & Circuit City, and Director of Visual Merchandising: Hecht's Any other ideas from the class?

So how do you reach them?

• Job search databases (RamsRecruiting)– Complete the registration form to sign up– Job postings– Interviews

• Network, network, network!!!– Speaker series– Festivals– Shows– Professors– Alumni

Helpful resources for networking

• Fashion Careers http://www.fashion-careers.com

• Fashion Industry Information Services http://www.infomat.com/publications/infpu0001578.html

• Style Careers – http://www.stylecareers.com/– www.fashionstudents.ning.com

• School of the Arts Opportunities Site http://prudenceknows.info

• Fashion Net http://www.fashion.net/ /

National and International Resources

• Check out our Career Library– America’s Top Rated Cities

• RamsRecruiting– International Opportunities feature

Developing your Professional

Image

How to be ready as a professional

– Resume writing

– Cover letters

– Portfolio development

– Interview skills

VCU Fashion Design 907 Floyd Ave # 143 Richmond, VA 23284 careers@vcu.edu

______________________________________________________________________________________________EDUCATIONMay 2007 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS• Researched trends, design bodies, sketch flats, organize swatches, trims and samples. • Developed design and pattern through techniques, construct and fit garments. • Rendered in mediums of marker, colored pencils, gouache and water color; created concept boards for design presentations.• Proficient in U4IA, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft word and Microsoft Excel.• Communicated with merchandisers and manufacturers, worked with sample room and production departments.• Sourced prints, trims and fabrics.• Prepared, compiled and distributed product packages for factories and buyer meetings.

INTERNSHIPSJune 2006-August 2006 Stylin’ Virginia Beach, VA• Organized swatches, trims and samples.• Analyzed the fit and quality of the garments.

June 2005-August 2005 Diva Denim Virginia Beach, VA• Sketched flats and spec garments.• Created design boards for the 2006 collection.• Assisted with designing garments for 2006.

RELATED EXPERIENCE• Acted as Dresser for Defining Style Fashion Show in Spring 2006.• Participated in production and jury committee for “Elements” fashion show for Spring 2005.

VCU Fashion Merchandiser 907 Floyd Ave # 143 Richmond, VA 23284 careers@vcu.edu___________________________________________________________________________________________ PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS• Strong Leadership Skills• Self-Motivated• Great Communication Skills• Able to Criticize Constructively

EDUCATION Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA December 2007 Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising

RELATED EXPERIENCERetail Buying• Created a creative marketing plan to promote merchandise• Researched market for growth opportunities and changes in consumer spending

Retail Management• Analyzed companies and explored problems• Interpreted and analyzed financials of retail companies• Developed recommendations for growth and solutions to problems for companies such as Ikea and Best Buy

EMPLOYMENTFashion Boutique March 2006- present Keyholder• Responsible for motivating sales associates to meet sales goals• Merchandised the sales floor daily• Trained eight new hires

Cover letters• Cold cover letters for non-advertised

positions– "Most positions are never advertised. A cold cover letter is

an uninvited inquiry to an employer, recruiter or other hiring manager regarding possible job opportunities.

– Cold cover letters' potential advantages include creating a job that didn't previously exist, gaining early consideration for a position that hasn't yet been advertised and expanding your network of contacts. By sending a letter to an employer who's not soliciting candidates, your resume will not be buried in a pile of hundreds of others.“ Kim Isaacs, Monster.com

• Here is a good sample:http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_cold_contact.html

Cover letters• Cover letter tips for an open position

– These tend to be a bit easier to write because you know that the employer is hiring.

– Remember to write specifically to what skills they are asking for in the position and then add flare.

• Here is a link to the UCC Cover Letter Guide:– http://www.students.vcu.edu/careers/

docs/JobSearchCorrespondence.pdf

Building your portfolio

• Remember that your portfolio is a work in a progress. You don't need to upload everything at once. Shoddy work won't reflect well on your candidacy for employment.

• Keep your portfolio current. Check to make sure everything is in working order on a regular basis. (i.e. broken links)

• Add a link to your portfolio to your resume and mention it in your cover letters.

Sample online portfolios

• Portfolio.com Samples• Art Portfolios• More Samples• Talk to your professors and ask to see their

work• Check out the bios and profiles of local

designers as well• Finally, remember that your portfolio, if you

have done an excellent job, could be what makes you stand out in a crowd of candidates!

Using your portfolio in an interview

• Become familiar with your portfolio and be prepared to elaborate on every item.

• Bring your portfolio to mock interviews and practice referring to it as you practice answering interview questions.

• Bring your master copy to interviews, as well as a copy to leave with the employer. Do not expect the employer to return the copy.

• Don’t expect the portfolio to replace the interview. Answer interview questions as completely as you would if you did not have a portfolio. The portfolio should supplement the interview.

Interview skills

The UCC has several resources to help you with interviewing.1) Use the web-based Interview Guide

http://www.students.vcu.edu/careers/docs/Interviewing.pdf

2) Signing up for an Interview Stream account .

3) Conducting a mock interview with me.

What is Interview Stream?

Looking for some focus for your upcoming interviews???

The University Career Center and InterviewStream can help YOU!

HOW??? Record Interviews

Rehearse Responses

Review Your Technique

Get started TODAY and put yourself one step closer to the career you have been looking for!

Interview Stream Assignment

1) View the Interview Stream demo This will help you understand how the system works and help to prevent any mishaps when you are recording your interview.

http://campus.interviewstream.com/demonstration/interviewstreamcampus.htm

2) Call the Career Center to set up your Interview Stream session with us. The kiosk is typically available Monday through Friday at the following times:

8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30

When you call the Career Center at (804) 828-4846, please let them know that you would like to schedule an "Interview Stream appointment." Then, tell them your days and times of choice. The desk will check the availability on our schedule and get you registered.

3) After you have scheduled your day and time, please set up your account to save time.

a) Please visit: http://campus.interviewstream.com/signup/b) Fill out the form with your VCU email address. If you list another account, your interviews may not be able to be retrieved in the system.

We’ve covered a lot today

From finding career paths to establishing the proper credentials when you’ve

found a career …

Keys to remember

• The most important thing to remember when looking for a career is:

• There is no ONE right career path. It takes exploration to see what is out there.

• The University Career Center and the School of the Arts are making great strides to help better prepare you for careers in your field or outside your field.

Tailored resources

• The University Career Center in conjunction with the School of the Arts has drafted Career Planning information tailored to each department.

• Today, I have brought copies of those resources for the Fashion Design and Merchandising departments.

Words of advice from a fellow artist

“My advice to any craftsperson, in regards to making a living, is this: 1.) Perform your craft well.

2.) Build your business and marketing plan around your work... NOT the other way around.

3.) Be as creative in your business life as you are about your craft.

4.) Get comfortable with computers, digital photography and the internet. For the first time, galleries are no longer the sole gatekeepers to patrons of the arts. We have more choices now in terms displaying and selling our work than we ever had before. The internet gives us access to the world. Use it. “

• Duane Keiser (originator of the "A Painting a Day" blog and e-commerce business )

Upcoming events• UCC Part-Time Job Fair:

– Thursday, September 4th, 10am-2pm– Student Commons, Richmond Salons I & II

• UCC University Career Fair:– Wednesday, October 8th, 10am-3pm– Student Commons, 2nd Floor

• Macy’s Central - Macy’s LIVE!– Thursday, October 9; VA Room C; 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.– Business Professional Dress Preferred

• Macy’s South (On-Campus Interviews)– Friday, October 24

Thanks for your attention!

• Please keep in mind that there is no one right career path. The information I have presented to today will give you a start in identifying your best fit.

• I encourage you come see me in hopes that we can approach your career path on a more tailored and individualized level

• Please feel free to contact me with any questions: ejwaterman@vcu.edu or 828-4846