First, some facts. Of the Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Fashion Merchandising graduates from Philadelphia University have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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 21% 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:
Relevance score: 77%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Philadelphia University with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProduct CoordinatorSaks Fifth Avenue May 2011 - Jul 2011 Merchandise Administrator Charming Shoppes Jan 2012 - Aug 2012 Merchandise Trainee, Fashion Jewelry QVC Aug 2012 - Oct 2013 Assistant Buyer, Home QVC Oct 2013 - Dec 2015 Associate Buyer, Home Textiles QVC Dec 2015 - Aug 2018 Buyer QVC Aug 2018 - Sep 2019 Merchandise Planning Allocator- Culinary QVC Sep 2019 - Present ABOUTMerchandising and planning experience in fashion, home and culinary |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Philadelphia University's Fashion Merchandising program, it’s clear that many have landed positions in retail and merchandising, particularly in well-known companies like Macy's, QVC, and Urban Outfitters. A common trend is the prevalence of roles such as Sales Managers, Merchandise Planners, and Buyers, which directly apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies. Jobs like Merchandise Assistant, Buyer positions, and Store Managers indicate a strong connection to the principles of fashion merchandising, emphasizing product selection, inventory management, and understanding market trends.
However, not every position these graduates have taken fully aligns with the focus of their degree. There are examples of graduates holding roles that are more operational or administrative in nature, such as Inventory Analyst or Sales Associate, where the tasks may not strongly leverage specific fashion merchandising skills. Additionally, some even veered off into unrelated fields such as education or tech. So, while many have successfully found paths that utilize their fashion merchandising expertise, it’s also clear that some graduates have ended up in roles where their degree wasn't directly applicable. It shows that while a degree opens doors, the actual job relevance can vary significantly based on the specific role and company dynamics.
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 Philadelphia University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from Philadelphia University who've studied Fashion Merchandising, it seems like many have really found their way into solid roles within the fashion and retail industry right after graduation. A lot of them start off in sales or merchandise-related positions, such as Sales Team Managers or Merchandise Assistants, often landing jobs at well-known companies like Macy's, QVC, and Urban Outfitters. This trend of starting strong continues as they move up the ladder to more advanced roles like Store Managers, Buyers, or Merchandise Planners within five to ten years of graduation. It’s clear that a degree in Fashion Merchandising from this university opens doors into the fashion sector, allowing graduates to establish successful careers aligned with what they studied.
However, there are some mixed results for certain individuals. While many have stuck to fashion-related careers, a few graduates have veered off into unrelated fields, like education or roles that don't directly connect to fashion merchandising. This shows that while the degree is beneficial for a career in the industry, the trajectory can vary depending on personal choices and opportunities. Overall, though, most seem to do well, moving up in retail and merchandising roles that keep them in the heart of the fashion world, which is pretty impressive!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising can be a mix of fun and challenging, but it’s generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other degrees, especially if you’re into fashion and creativity. You’ll dive into subjects like marketing, retail management, and trend analysis, so if you have a passion for these areas, you might find the coursework pretty engaging. There’s definitely a bit of work involved, especially with projects and presentations, but it’s also hands-on and allows for a lot of creative expression. Just be ready for some late nights during busy project seasons, and if you enjoy the world of fashion, you’ll probably find it a lot more enjoyable than a tedious grind.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fashion Merchandising.
Looking at the career paths of these Fashion Merchandising grads, it seems a lot of them have steadily moved up the ranks, especially in retail and merchandising roles, which is pretty cool! Some have landed positions like Store Managers and Buyers, indicating they've likely been making decent money — especially since management roles can come with higher paychecks and benefits. However, not everyone is in high-paying positions right out of college; for instance, some started as coordinators or assistants, which usually don’t pay as much. Still, it looks like a good number of these folks have found their groove and are climbing the ladder, which is a solid indication they're doing well financially. So, while the beginnings might have been a bit on the lower side, many seem to be in a pretty good place now!
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 Philadelphia University). This may or may not be useful:
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 |