Becoming a Buyer?

[JJohnson]

Originally Posted by iluvfashion

I just took the neiman's tests (4-step) and I completed.
They said they will contact me in 2 weeks

The math test was not hard but time constraint is a big deal. For those who want to do this seriously, take the test in a place with no distrations

Where do I take this test at?

[iluvfashion]

I was curious about the test (I dont think I will go for a career change)

Test is online

[JJohnson]

Lena/Meg i was wondering if one could work as an assistant buyer or whatever while they are still in college? Does one even need a degree to be a buyer?

[Meg]

I think these days you really need a contact to get in without a degree....anything's possible but all the job ad's i see expect a degree or at least several years experience. And really the bottom of the run is a buyers's admin asst. in which you can then move up to an asst.....if you know the right people, or are persistant enough, you can get a job without a degree. The thing is with buying and merch. it's a lot about numbers and knowledge. Not like styling/designing which you can do without a degree....

[pointup]

Originally Posted by JJohnson

oh goodie, so if i get a degree at harvard im still a assistance to an asistance to an assistant? blah! well...at least i wanted to start as an associate buyer...

well if you get an undergrad business degree from harvard you didn't even get a degree at a top ranked business school ..

being a buyer, too many numbers. it would be great to work in fashion! no way i'll ever switch to a degree in business.

[JJohnson]

Well I can deal with numbers because I like math: Calculus, Physics, and all....its ok with me and im very profiecient with computers and stuff . I guess I will have to see who i can find out who does fashion and stuff

[JJohnson]

Oh BTW whats a good way to get fashion connections?

[seeing_double]

I am interested in becoming a buyer as well, and I am thinking about pursuing a course at Parsons for either management or fashion marketing? Which one should I choose? And furthermore is a course at Parsons really necessary if I want to get a job somewhere like seven or jeffrey (just examples of the types of stores I would like to eventually work in...I have no place set in stone so-to-say)? Parson has internships at places such as Barneys, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Prada, YSL (just to name a few big names)...in categories such as reatil buying, advertising, marketing, editorial and so forth. Is a good idea to get an internship and work hard to turn it into a job at a later point? Lastly... if not how should I go about getting a good job ? I know how to present myself, and I am by no means incompetent (i hope not at least )...but what should my career path look like? Just get a job ASAP at the best possible place, get some experience, and then wait for an opening at a better location...or is it really all about connections and "luck" of an open position? Thanks so much for any feedback .

[Meg]

I think the benefits of going to a 'fashion' school would be the connections via your teachers and internships that you could make. It's certainly possible though to work your way up having a degree from another school. Not having a degree I think would be a far riskier option but it all depends. Lena might have more thoughts on this seeing double

[JJohnson]

Originally Posted by Meg

I think the benefits of going to a 'fashion' school would be the connections via your teachers and internships that you could make. It's certainly possible though to work your way up having a degree from another school. Not having a degree I think would be a far riskier option but it all depends. Lena might have more thoughts on this seeing double

Well I wasnt take the 'fashion' approach because Im going to a purely business school, but i didnt also just want to be labeled "fashion buyer" i want to do this career, but i also want a degree that can be used everywhere if there is no opening.

[seeing_double]

^Thanks for the help Meg and JJ . Anyone else with any advice feel free ...*cough* Lena *cough*

[Lena]

Originally Posted by seeing_double

Just get a job ASAP at the best possible place, get some experience, and then wait for an opening at a better location...or is it really all about connections and "luck" of an open position? .

you just said it

studies will help but they wont 'make' you, field experience is so much more important than certificates..
Parsons internship programs are a main attractions to this school right? so if you can, just do both, enter the market by just gaining experience AND enroll to Parsons if you can afford doing both

[seeing_double]

Thanks so much . Now I suppose I will just pray for scholarship money.

[JJohnson]

Originally Posted by JJohnson

Well I wasnt take the 'fashion' approach because Im going to a purely business school, but i didnt also just want to be labeled "fashion buyer" i want to do this career, but i also want a degree that can be used everywhere if there is no opening.

What about this approach Lena?

[JJohnson]

Any idea Lena?