Becoming a Buyer?

[Meg]

I've never heard of this buying program at York....either way, that always aggravates me about cdn universities.....it's a lot more black and white with them....

 

[JJohnson]

I've never heard of this buying program at York....either way, that always aggravates me about cdn universities.....it's a lot more black and white with them....

What do u mean? what is cdn univeristies? By black and white u mean old style?

 

[JJohnson]

I wonder if my college has retailing in it....i sure hope so

 

[JJohnson]

if someone had a MBA in business from a top school would they still be a associate buyer or would they become a full buyer almost right away?

 

[JJohnson]

What is the chain of command within a company for buyers associate buyers...etc?

 

[Lena]

if someone had a MBA in business from a top school would they still be a associate buyer or would they become a full buyer almost right away?

you never start up as a 'full buyer' JJ, too much money depends on buyers, everyone starts by assisting the assistant of the associate buyer, no matter which school you come out from

being a buyer is very serious business, so much money at risk

 

[Meg]

no by black and white I mean they don't see very much middle ground, ie. grey. A lot of times with cdn uni's it's soley based on marks which I don't find to be fair. Seriously jj this is a business where you need to start at the bottom and work upwards. Obviously having a degree helps where you may enter the chain of command but you'll need to work your *** off for years, possibly at a company you don't like, possibly buying items you don't like, and it will take a while before you make any sort of big money. Jobs at the top are few and far between, esp. in regards to high end fashion.

 

[JJohnson]

you never start up as a 'full buyer' JJ, too much money depends on buyers, everyone starts by assisting the assistant of the associate buyer, no matter which school you come out from

being a buyer is very serious business, so much money at risk

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...

 

[JJohnson]

no by black and white I mean they don't see very much middle ground, ie. grey. A lot of times with cdn uni's it's soley based on marks which I don't find to be fair. Seriously jj this is a business where you need to start at the bottom and work upwards. Obviously having a degree helps where you may enter the chain of command but you'll need to work your *** off for years, possibly at a company you don't like, possibly buying items you don't like, and it will take a while before you make any sort of big money. Jobs at the top are few and far between, esp. in regards to high end fashion.

Oh thx....

 

[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

 

[JJohnson]

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]

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]

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.