Starting a fashion merchandising career all begins with attending a Pennsylvania school. These programs can prepare you for the various tasks of a fashion merchandiser, including designing displays, selling apparel to retailers, and selecting pieces from designers.
There are eight fashion schools in Pennsylvania, and all eight of the schools have Bachelor’s degree programs. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you can attend one of the five Master’s-level programs in the state.
In Pennsylvania, the average cost of tuition is $18,957. However, there are also grant and scholarship opportunities you can look into. The average scholarship award in Pennsylvania is $8150.
In addition to general education requirements and marketing courses, you have to take several fashion and business courses during your program. Some of the courses you may have to take include Merchandise Management Strategies, Sustainability in Fashion, Consumer Textiles, and Consumer Behavior.
Some Pennsylvania schools require you to complete an internship before you can graduate. This usually involves working a few hours per week with a local fashion merchandiser. This experience can set you apart from other applicants when you begin your job search.
As a fashion student, it is important to attend events like Penn Fashion Week. These events can help you network and stay on top of the local fashion scene.