Fashion merchandising is a very important part of the fashion industry. If you decide to work in this field, you may work with designers, buyers, and stores to ensure that stores get the clothing that their customers want.
The first step to becoming a fashion merchandiser in California is attending one of the seven fashion schools in California. Bachelor’s degrees are offered at all of these schools, and two schools also offer Master’s degrees. The average acceptance rate in California is 59%, so the admissions process is mildly competitive.
Tuition costs vary between schools, but the average cost of tuition is $24,948. This is offset by the average scholarship award of $3199.
As a fashion merchandising student, there are many fashion and business courses that you may have to take. Some of the coursework that may be part of your curriculum includes Retail Sales Promotion, Merchandise Management Strategies, Consumer Textiles, and Sustainability in Fashion.
Becoming part of the local fashion community is another important part of being a student. You can consider joining the California Fashion Association. Membership in this association can help you network with local professionals, learn about events in the area, and learn about job openings.