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First, some facts. Of the Fashion and Apparel Design graduates from The Art Institutes 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Fashion and Apparel Design graduates from The Art Institutes have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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 9% 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: 3% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from The Art Institutes with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTailor CROWN Dry Cleaner & Laundry Jan 2017 - Feb 2017 Special Education Paraeducator Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Aug 2017 - May 2018 Associate Trainer Panera Bread Jun 2017 - Jun 2018 Graphic Design Specialist  Nova Print Dye Sublimation Jun 2018 - Sep 2018 Substitute Teacher Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Oct 2018 - Mar 2020 Substitute Teacher Anaheim Union High School Dst Oct 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - MEdNational University 2018 - 2024 ABOUTStarting my education journey as a paraeducator has helped me see being a teacher with another set of eyes. I have +10 years of working experience in the education platform, five years as a paraeducator, along with five years and counting as a substitute teacher. Through that experience, I acknowledged my potential to be a motivating and understanding teacher. I am currently pursuing my teaching credentials, and masters in education. Though I have worked and volunteered in other areas besides education, I have gained various skills I see beneficial for my future as a teacher. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles, it seems like people who graduated with a degree in Fashion and Apparel Design from The Art Institutes have taken on a variety of jobs. The most common roles include positions like Sales Advisors, Product Development Associates, and even some more technical roles like Production Artists. Some graduates have found their place in the fashion industry directly, like Associate Designers or Costume Designers, where they can actually apply what they learned in school. However, a significant number have ended up in roles that don't directly relate to fashion at all, such as Administrative Assistants or roles in food service, which highlights a disconnect between their education and career paths.
While some of these jobs are relevant to their degree and utilize fashion-related skills, many others seem to stray pretty far from the core aspects of Fashion and Apparel Design. For instance, being a Server or a Customer Solutions Specialist doesn't really tap into the creative or technical skills one would expect to have picked up in such a specialized program. Overall, it seems like while there are definitely students who have landed jobs that are spot on with their degree, a good chunk are finding themselves in roles that don’t really capitalize on their educational background in fashion.
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 The Art Institutes):
Overall, it looks like graduates from The Art Institutes with a degree in Fashion and Apparel Design often have pretty varied career paths. When you look at their first jobs after graduation, some actually land roles related to their field, like Product Development Associate at Levi Strauss or Stylist at David's Bridal. However, others go for jobs that aren’t exactly in fashion, like becoming an Administrative Assistant or even a Substitute Teacher. It's a mixed bag, and it seems like they sometimes get sidetracked from the design world right after school.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you can really see the divergence in careers. Some people find their footing in fashion, like working at H&M or adidas, while others seem to drift away from their original ambitions, taking on roles in education or customer service. There are also examples of entrepreneurship, like graduates who start their own businesses in the fashion sector. Overall, while some grads definitely find success in the fashion industry, others appear to struggle to make a direct connection between their degree and their career, resulting in a lot of jobs that don't utilize their design skills. So, if you're thinking about this path, it's a bit of a gamble—exciting, but with its fair share of uncertainty!
A Bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Apparel Design can be pretty challenging, especially if you're at a place like The Art Institutes, where creativity and technical skills are key. You’ll dive into a mix of design concepts, textile knowledge, pattern-making, and even business aspects of fashion. While some people find the hands-on stuff like sketching and sewing exciting, others might struggle with the technical side or tight deadlines on projects. Overall, it’s a demanding program that requires a lot of passion, commitment, and time, so if you're really into fashion and ready to put in the effort, it can be super rewarding! But don’t expect it to be a walk in the park; it definitely has its tough spots.
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.
Looking at the career paths of these Fashion and Apparel Design grads from The Art Institutes, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have landed roles at well-known companies like Levi’s and adidas, which typically pay better and offer solid career growth potential. However, many of them have also jumped around to roles that don’t really seem to match their degrees, like administrative jobs or working in food service, which generally don’t pay much. The self-employed grad could be doing great or could also be struggling—it's hard to tell without more info. Overall, while a few might be doing pretty well in their fields, others might not be pulling in the cash they’d hoped for with their degrees. It's a reminder that sometimes the dream job doesn't come right away or might take a few twists and turns in the journey!
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 The Art Institutes). 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 |