What can you do with a Fashion Design degree?

First, some facts. Of the Fashion Design graduates 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 60 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Fashion Design graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 20% 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 Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Fashion Design graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur with a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Sale Associate
EXPRESS
Feb 2019 - May 2019
The position as a Sales Associate at EXPRESS does not require any specific skills or knowledge from a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, focusing instead on retail sales and customer service.

Sale Associate
GUESS?, Inc.
Mar 2019 - Sep 2019
As a Sales Associate at GUESS?, Inc., the role similarly relies on general sales skills rather than the specialized knowledge gained from a degree in fashion design.

Customer Service Representative
Hire Dynamics
Aug 2019 - Mar 2020
The Customer Service Representative position at Hire Dynamics does not utilize the specific fashion knowledge or design skills developed during the Bachelor's program, as it centers on general customer service tasks.

Customer Support Representative
TDB Communications, Inc.
Jun 2020 - May 2021
The role of a Customer Support Representative at TDB Communications, Inc. is unrelated to fashion design and does not require any knowledge or skills from the degree.

Supervisor
TDB Communications, Inc.
May 2021 - Sep 2021
As a Supervisor at TDB Communications, Inc., the job focuses on general supervisory and customer support skills rather than fashion-specific expertise.

Warehouse Specialist
Amazon Fullfillment Centre
Jan 2022 - Sep 2022
The position of Warehouse Specialist at Amazon Fulfillment Centre involves logistics and inventory management, which are not related to fashion design principles or practices.

Hostess
Tin Lizzy's Cantina
Apr 2023 - Present
As a Hostess at Tin Lizzy's Cantina, the job primarily revolves around customer service and hospitality without any connection to fashion design education or skill application.

ABOUT

With over 3 years of experience in customer service, sales, and supervisory roles, I haveconsistently exceeded performance metrics, such as resolving 90% of customer inquiries in 2weeks and increasing sales by 15% in 6 months. My expertise in training and managing teamshas also resulted in a 20% decrease in processing time for unemployment claims in just 1 year.Knowledgeable about preparing invoices, processing payments, and pursuing past-due balances. Well-versed in accurately coding different types of bills for clear recordkeeping and tracking. Team-oriented, dependable, and performance-driven.

What jobs can you get with a Fashion Design degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When we take a close look at the career paths of people with degrees in Fashion Design, we can see a mixed bag of job experiences and their relevance to fashion design. A majority of these individuals have worked in roles closely tied to fashion, showcasing their skills, creativity, and training. Positions like **Fashion Designer**, **Assistant Designer**, and **Stylist** frequently pop up. These jobs tend to align directly with the core principles of fashion design and utilize the skills learned during their education in actual creative processes. For instance, roles at companies like **Diane von Furstenberg** and **Victoria's Secret** demand a firm grasp of design aesthetics and garment construction, making them very relevant to someone’s fashion design education.

On the flip side, however, there's a significant number of graduates who’ve ventured into positions that don’t relate at all to their academic backgrounds. For instance, roles like **Sales Associate**, **Customer Service Representative**, or even fitness-oriented positions often show up on these resumes but don’t tap into any fashion-specific knowledge. Many of these jobs are focused on sales, fitness, or general management, offering much less applicability to the skills developed in a fashion degree. Internships often lead to fashion-related work, but many graduates find themselves drifting into other fields. Interestingly, while some aspects of fashion could be tangentially present in these roles, it’s clear that they don't fully utilize the core competencies gained from their degrees.

Overall, while there are ample job opportunities related directly to fashion design for these graduates, a considerable portion of them seems to migrate toward less relevant fields. It raises the question of whether the fashion industry can truly accommodate all these talented individuals or if they are forced to adapt their skills to fit into broader roles that don’t satisfy their creative aspirations. Regardless, it seems that there is still a healthy number of people successfully applying their fashion design education in meaningful ways, especially in positions that center on creation, styling, or direct fashion involvement.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fashion Design graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Fashion Design graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Fashion Design, it’s clear there’s a bit of a mixed bag. Many of these graduates start off with internships or entry-level positions related to fashion, which is a pretty standard path in the industry. For example, several graduates kick-started their careers as production or design interns for reputable brands right after graduating. This is often a great way to gain experience and make connections in the fashion world, which can lead to more permanent roles. However, the trend often shifts after a few years, with many finding themselves moving into roles that aren’t directly tied to fashion.

As seen in some profiles, five years or so post-graduation, many graduates have strayed away from fashion-centric jobs, landing in areas like fitness instruction, administrative roles, or even positions in tech and retail management. For instance, one graduate pivoted from styling positions to managing fitness centers and becoming an instructor, which seems entirely removed from the fashion industry. Also, quite a few graduates remain in retail but take on roles that focus more on sales or visual merchandising rather than actual design. This could point towards the realization that the fashion job market can be harsh and that finding relevant positions doesn't always pan out as hoped.

Fast forward a decade, and while some graduates are thriving in their careers—like those who established their brands or moved up the ladder into senior design roles—others appear to have settled for jobs that don’t leverage their degree. The sad reality is that, while some have successfully navigated their passion for fashion into rewarding careers, many have taken jobs that are unrelated or only loosely related to their field of study. This suggests that while a degree in Fashion Design can set you up for a solid start in the industry, it requires persistence and a bit of luck to maintain a relevant and fulfilling career over time.

How hard is a Fashion Design degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design can be pretty challenging, but it also depends on your interests and skills. If you’re super passionate about design, textiles, and creativity, you might find it more fun than hard. You’ll dive into topics like sketching, sewing, and trend analysis, which require both creativity and technical skills. Plus, there are deadlines and projects that can get overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to juggling multiple tasks at once. So, it's not necessarily harder than average, but it definitely demands a lot of time, dedication, and practice to really excel.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fashion Design.

Do Fashion Design graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these fashion design graduates, it seems like they're on a mixed bag when it comes to financial success. For instance, some graduates, like the one from the Savannah College of Art and Design, have taken various roles in the fashion and fitness industries, but most of those positions (like teaching Zumba or working at Starbucks) tend to pay less than traditional design roles. On the other hand, graduates who have landed more consistently in design positions, like those working for brands like YEEZY or in managerial roles at Adidas, are likely seeing a better paycheck. So, overall, while some have found decent opportunities, others might be struggling to leverage their degree into higher-paying roles.

From this, it’s clear that networking and the quality of opportunities you find can really make a difference in the fashion industry. Some may have managed to climb the ladder and secure solid positions, while others are juggling multiple roles, indicating a need for experience and visibility in this highly competitive field. If you’re thinking of a future in fashion design, it’s super important to weigh both creative passion and financial stability, aiming to find that balance as you build your career!

What buzzwords do Fashion Design graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Design. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Fashion Design?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Fashion Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Fashion Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count