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What can you do with a Fashion Merchandising degree from California State University-Long Beach?

First, some facts. Of the Fashion Merchandising graduates from California State University-Long Beach 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Fashion Merchandising graduates from California State University-Long Beach have a much lower likelihood (-11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 56%
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 16% 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 Merchandising graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Fashion Merchandising graduate from California State University-Long Beach and our analysis:

Relevance score: 44%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from California State University-Long Beach with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Internship
AMUSE SOCIETY
Jan 2015 - May 2015
The internship at AMUSE SOCIETY is directly related to fashion merchandising, involving hands-on experience in the fashion industry, which aligns with the skills and knowledge gained from the degree.

Writing Intern
Jen Yih
Jan 2018 - Jun 2018
As a writing intern at Jen Yih, the role likely involves creating content focused on fashion, thus utilizing the specific knowledge and skills related to fashion merchandising learned from the degree.

Contributing Writer
Discreture
May 2020 - May 2022
The position as a contributing writer at Discreture may involve writing about fashion, allowing for some relevance, but it is not fully centered on the core qualifications of fashion merchandising.

General Manager
CycleBar
Aug 2023 - Apr 2024
The general manager position at CycleBar does not require specific knowledge or skills from fashion merchandising, as it focuses primarily on fitness management and operations.

General Manager
Club Pilates
Feb 2024 - Present
Similar to CycleBar, the general manager role at Club Pilates is not related to fashion merchandising, focusing instead on managing a fitness studio without requiring fashion-specific knowledge or skills.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Certification
Orange Coast College
2019 - 2020
ABOUT

With an education in Fashion Merchandising and Sustainability in The Apparel Industry, I have applied my learned principles and practices into a successful career in the apparel and action sports industry, gaining an exceptional skill set along the way. In my career, I've held a very diverse range of positions rooted in buying, merchandising and management capacities and have a strong threshold for fast-paced, quick-turn environments. As I continue to progress in my professional journey, I strive to bring my competencies to aid in the success of my employer and to grow both professionally and personally. Alongside my professional career, my volunteer work has been one of my top priorities. Ive spent hours working with children in foster care and early child education. Helping children thrive in their lives regardless of where they started in life is my passion.

What jobs can you get with a Fashion Merchandising degree from California State University-Long Beach?

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

When analyzing the types of jobs that graduates with a degree in Fashion Merchandising from California State University-Long Beach have landed, a noticeable trend emerges. Many of these individuals have pursued roles that are quite relevant to their field, such as visual merchandisers, assistant buyers, and product developers. These positions directly apply the principles learned during their studies, like understanding fashion trends, inventory management, and strategic merchandising. For example, roles at well-known brands like ZARA and J.Crew clearly demonstrate the integration of their academic knowledge in real-life applications.

However, it’s also important to note that not every job they’ve taken has been directly connected to fashion merchandising. Some graduates became key holders or managers in retail environments where the core responsibilities revolve more around sales and general management rather than applying specialized fashion skills. Other roles, like the veterinary surgical assistant or dispatch positions, stray far from the fashion industry entirely, showing a mix of relevancy in career paths. Overall, while many have successfully translated their degree into related jobs, a fair number have taken paths that don’t utilize their fashion merchandising knowledge as effectively.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fashion Merchandising graduates (this is across all Fashion Merchandising graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach):

What kind of career trajectories do Fashion Merchandising graduates from California State University-Long Beach have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From looking at the career paths of graduates from California State University-Long Beach who studied Fashion Merchandising, it's clear that many have ventured into roles that align closely with the fashion and retail industry right out of college. Many grads land their first jobs as interns, assistants, or sales associates in major retail brands, which serve as solid stepping stones into the industry. Over the first five years, a lot of these individuals seem to progress into more specialized roles such as buying, merchandising, or management positions within the fashion landscape. For instance, grads from the class of 2014 transitioned from sales positions to roles like Account Manager and Product Developer, showcasing a clear trajectory in fashion and merchandising-related jobs.

However, not all graduates have stuck strictly to fashion-related careers as the years have rolled on. Some have found themselves in unrelated fields, like a veterinary surgical assistant or a general manager at a fitness center. This fluctuation suggests that while many grads thrive in fashion-centric jobs, others either chose to pivot to different industries or perhaps struggled to find a lasting place in fashion. Overall, it seems like if you’re aiming to work in fashion merchandising, this program can be a solid launchpad, but there’s also a notable number of people who end up in varied careers, which might reflect some of the industry's challenges.

How hard is a Fashion Merchandising degree from California State University-Long Beach?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising at California State University-Long Beach is definitely a challenge, but it's not the hardest major out there. Expect a mix of fun and demanding classes that dive into fashion trends, marketing, and even some business stuff. You’ll probably have to do projects, presentations, and stay on top of assignments, so if you’re not into keeping up with deadlines, it could be tougher for you. On the flip side, if you’ve got a passion for fashion and are willing to put in the effort, it can be pretty enjoyable! Overall, it strikes a decent balance—definitely requires work, but it can be a rewarding experience if you’re genuinely interested in the subject.

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 Merchandising.

Do Fashion Merchandising graduates from California State University-Long Beach tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Fashion Merchandising grads from CSULB, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, while others are still trying to find their footing. Those who climbed up the ranks at companies like ZARA or RVCA likely pulled in decent salaries, especially as they moved into roles like department and senior management. But some others seem to have taken more varied paths, with jobs ranging from customer service to coordination roles, which might not be as lucrative. Plus, a few of the more recent grads are in positions that don’t scream high pay, like a veterinary surgical assistant or working in real estate. Overall, it's a mixed bag – some seem to have hit the jackpot while others are still hustling to find their sweet spot in the industry.

What buzzwords do Fashion Merchandising 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 Merchandising (this is across all Fashion Merchandising graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Fashion Merchandising?

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

College Score Count
LIM College 70 43
University of North Texas 69 20
Kent State University 68 49
Fashion Institute of Technology 66 21
Philadelphia University 62 14
The University of Georgia 59 13
California State University-Long Beach 56 12
Texas State University 54 24
Marist College 54 17