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First, some facts. Of the Fashion and Apparel Design graduates from Parsons School of Design - The New School we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 89%, Fashion and Apparel Design graduates from Parsons School of Design - The New School have a substantially higher likelihood (+22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 13% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Fashion and Apparel Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Parsons School of Design - The New School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFashion Designer YEEZY Feb 2023 - 2023 ABOUT[NAME REMOVED] Kuphirun is a fashion designer based in New York City. He earned his BFA from Parsons School of Design at The New School, specializing in Womenswear Collections.Kuphirun was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. His unique perspective, influenced by his Thai heritage, is dedicated to celebrate femininity that is often overlooked and embrace femininity as a spectrum. His emphasis on tailoring stems from his connection to his Thai roots, his belief in its significance in garment creation, and his desire to preserve a craft that is fading. Through his designs, he intends to create a dialogue between his personal experiences and contribute to the universal language of feminine elegance, creating garments that are timeless and ones that resonate on a personal level with his audience. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the career paths of graduates from the Fashion and Apparel Design program at Parsons, it’s pretty clear that many of them end up in roles that are directly tied to their degree. Common positions include Fashion Designer, Assistant Designer, and various design-related internships. These roles often require a deep understanding of design principles, garment construction, and textile selection—skills that are foundational to what they learned in school. Many alumni have also started their own brands or taken on leadership roles in companies that heavily lean on fashion design expertise, showing that the education they received is indeed applicable and valuable in the real world.
However, there are also some grads who tread a different path, landing jobs that don’t fully capitalize on their fashion design training. For example, roles in marketing, customer service, and logistics might be somewhat related to the fashion industry but lack the specific design skills they were taught. While it's great that these individuals are still in the fashion realm, their day-to-day tasks don’t heavily engage with the core aspects of Fashion and Apparel Design. Overall, most jobs on this list relate quite well to their degree, but it's important to note the few exceptions where the application is indirect or less relevant.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fashion and Apparel Design graduates (this is across all Fashion and Apparel Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Parsons School of Design - The New School):
Graduates from Parsons School of Design in Fashion and Apparel Design seem to follow some pretty exciting career paths, especially right after graduation. A lot of them start out in roles like design internships or assistant positions, which seem to be a popular launching pad to gain real-world experience. For example, many graduates took internships at high-profile brands like Peter Som and Coach, which likely helped them build important industry connections. By the time they hit the five or ten-year mark, many of them have moved up the ranks to become designers, founders, or even presidents of their own companies. It's clear that a significant number have made a name for themselves in fashion, which is pretty inspiring!
Of course, not all paths are exactly the same. While some folks stick with fashion design, others have branched out a bit—like moving into UX design or even marketing within the fashion sector. A few have opted for freelance roles, showing that entrepreneurship is also a viable option for those who prefer a more flexible work life. Overall, it looks like a good chunk of Parsons graduates stays within the realm of fashion, building fulfilling careers relevant to their degree. However, there are occasionally some who drift away from old designs, exploring other career avenues that might not be directly related to fashion. But it seems like most are doing quite well in the industry, making their mark in various capacities within the toolkit of fashion design. So, if you’re thinking about such a degree, there are plenty of solid opportunities out there!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Apparel Design at Parsons is definitely on the challenging side. The workload can be intense, with a mix of design projects, technical skills, and critical theory. You'll find yourself juggling sewing, pattern-making, and computer design programs, all while working on your own creative projects. Plus, the expectations are high, and feedback can be pretty rigorous. But hey, that's part of what makes it exciting! If you're passionate about fashion and ready to put in the effort, you’ll find it to be a rewarding experience. It's not going to be a walk in the park, but if you love what you're doing, it'll be worth every late night.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fashion and Apparel Design.
So, looking at the career paths of these Parsons alumni, it seems like they’ve had a pretty solid run in the fashion and design industry, which often pays well—especially in roles like senior designer or founder. Graduates who’ve landed positions at major brands like Coach and Balenciaga, or who started their own businesses, are likely making decent money right off the bat or have the potential to earn big in the long run. The earlier positions might have been more entry-level, so starting salaries could have been lower, but those who stuck around and moved up the ranks are probably doing quite well. On the flip side, some roles like costume designer or freelance positions can be hit-or-miss in terms of stable income, but overall, it looks like most of these folks are on the right track toward financial success!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Fashion and Apparel Design (this is across all Fashion and Apparel Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Parsons School of Design - The New School). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Fashion and Apparel Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Fashion and Apparel Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Otis College of Art and Design
|
95 | 11 |
 Parsons School of Design
|
90 | 11 |
 Parsons School of Design - The New School
|
89 | 22 |
 Fashion Institute of Technology
|
87 | 35 |
 Pratt Institute
|
79 | 11 |
 Kent State University
|
73 | 23 |
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
68 | 22 |
 The Art Institutes
|
50 | 11 |