Introduction:

The person who embarks on a fashion career today enters a field that is far-flung and multi-faceted.  In this field there is freedom to grow, freedom to change jobs or direction, and freedom to move to different cities or even to different countries without having to begin anew in a different industry or an unrelated type of work. This unit will provide you with the opportunity to explore careers at different levels of the fashion industry as well as help you to prepare for such a career.

Unit Performance Objectives:

1. To emphasize the importance of career planning.
   
2. To orient students to the professional requirements of their various selected career areas.
   
3. To evaluate and compare college fashion programs.
   
4. To assist in the preparation of resumes in connection with job seeking.
   

5. To explore the many types of career opportunities available to students with fashion merchandising training.
   
6. To familiarize students with professional aspects of job interviewing.
   

The lessons in this unit will address the following New York State Career and Occupational Development Learning Standards:

Standard 1:  Career Development
Students will develop an awareness of the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions.

Standard 2:  Integrated Learning
Students will understand and demonstrate how academic content is applied in real-world and workplace settings.

Standard 3:  Universal Foundation Skills/Career Options
3a.  Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace.
3b.  Students who choose a career major will acquire career-specific technical knowledge/skills necessary to progress toward gainful employment, career advancement, and success in post-secondary programs.