If you want a career in fashion but you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. It’s difficult to break into the fashion field, especially if you’re in a non-fashion-related major or your university doesn’t offer any seemingly related programs. Lucky for all of us, there are fashion certifications and courses available to help us build our portfolios. Non-credit certificate programs offer students a chance to connect with industry professionals in their desired field of study. The best part? These programs and courses are available to everyone regardless of what school you’re currently going to and you can take them from the comfort of your own home.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
You’ve definitely heard of FIT, and maybe even wished you could go there. Well, now you can! FIT’s Center for Continuing Professional Studies offers a wide range of non-credit certificates covering topics such as Graphic Design, Branding, Fashion Styling, and everything in between. You don’t have to be a student at FIT to complete a certificate, and completion is solely online. So now you can pretend to be a New York fashion student from the comfort of your small town bedroom!
Depending on the program you choose, you will have to take between six to eight courses over the span of a year. The cost of each program also varies, but it typically ranges from the $1200 to $2000 price range. Through a certificate program, students have the option to directly communicate with industry professionals and gain valuable real-life experience.
Parsons School of Design
Parsons School of Design offers industry knowledge in areas such as visual style, graphic design, fashion production, marketing, and PR — among others. Certificates can be completed 100% online and the completion time varies depending on the classes and program. Roughly five courses are needed to complete a certificate and a fashion certificate at Parsons costs upwards of $1000, depending on the area of study.
Google also offers several certificates that might help you in your future career. If you’re interested in the business side of the fashion industry, then the Data Analytics and User Experience (UX) Design Certificates might be a good fit for you. Other available certificates include the Project Management, IT Support, and Android Development certificates. Certificate programs are completed online through Coursera, where students have the opportunity to complete work on their own time and at their own pace. The cost to complete a certificate is $39 a month.
Skillshare
If you’re not up to completing an entire certificate program but still want to improve your knowledge, then Skillshare might be the way to go. Skillshare is an online subscription program that offers thousands of classes and workshops in different subject matters. Classes are taught by professionals and students can watch on their own time, wherever they like. I mean, how cool is that? Some of the available topics include illustration, design, photography, among many others. Skillshare offers a free trial, so you can check out the available classes first and then decide if you want to continue. Skillshare Premium is $180 yearly (a discounted rate of $15 a month) or $30 monthly. You already spend hours watching videos on apps like YouTube and TikTok, so why not make your video consumption educational?
Let’s be honest, breaking into the fashion industry can be hard. Give your resume a boost by taking some new classes or by completing a certificate program.
Featured photo by @lifeofdani.jpg .
