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Find a Job that's in Fashion

By Gina Pogol
Learning & Life Columnist

You might think of seamstresses as a thing of the past, but this deadly dull job still exists today. The pay is at the bottom of the scale, and virtually all sewers are women. Sewing areas are extremely noisy, the work is tedious, time-pressured, physically painful, fatiguing, and offers virtually no job security. Intimidation by supervisors is common, and basic rights most of us take for granted, like bathroom breaks, lunch hour, and sick leave are unthinkable. Workers sit bent over their work for long stretches, and repetitive motion injuries are common.

Don't Be a Fashion Victim

But there's hope! Seamstresses already know how to do some of what's taught in a fashion design program. Even if you're not stuck in this particular dead-end job, fashion school can provide the basics. Fashion students are taught to use equipment for clothing construction, alterations, cleaning, and repair. Graduation from an accredited program can help sewers (and everyone else) move up the fashion food chain, where talent is respected and working environments can be clean and fun.

In addition to garment sewing and repair, fashion education involves:

• Evaluating fibers and textiles
• Using fabric, color, and design to create pleasing visual effects
• Computer design techniques
• Fashion business
• Marketing
• Customer service and sales skills
• Manufacturing operations
• Developing knowledge of the arts and culture as they relate to fashion

Programs can be campus-based or online, and last anywhere from two semesters to a couple of years.

Employment opportunities include merchandising, designing clothing or accessories, styling for photographic shoots, preparing models for shows, to custom tailoring and retail management. The job market is dynamic, and a fashion education can help former sewers better compete for great jobs.

No one should have to spend an entire life in a horrible job. And no job is so bad that you can't learn something from it and advance to something better.

Sources:

• AlterNet Rights and Liberties, "The Ten Worst Jobs in America"

About the Author
Gina Pogol has a terrific job as a writer and editor for an online media company. After working at several horrible jobs, she earned an associate's degree in Computer Programming, a certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a BS in Financial Management.

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