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Switching careers...
I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in fashion design two years ago and have not been able to find full-time work since then. I've been working retail and even had a part-time management position but I do not find it fulfilling as a career.
I've been considering going back to school to be a Medical Assistant for about 7-8 months. I even almost signed up for a program back in April but the timing was not right for me and since I have my four-year degree I get less financial aid, and the program did not seem right to me. I found out later on that the program I almost attended was not accredited and I am not happy I did not attend.
DH is very skeptical about me returning to school since he has debt he has to pay off still and student loans of his own. Most of the programs I am finding that are accredited are expensive and have very bad reviews. I would love to attend a community college program but the ones that are accredited are about an hour away from where I live.
I am not sure if I should risk the money going to an expensive trade school(and I'm not bashing trade schools since DH went to one) or maybe take the drive to a community college program, or if it is even a good idea to switch to medical assisting?
Re: Switching careers...
Are you really completely unhappy with the entire industry or do you want something that will always give you better financial security thru tough times?
If you love Fashion, I'd re-visit why you chose Fashion Design in the first place. What was your original thoughts and dreams for choosing that major in the first place? Are you unhappy simply because you can't find full time work and what you do find is nothing as exciting as you were hoping? And are you even in the market that would allow you to really fulfill that original dream? And...(and this is the hard part you need to really ask yourself) are you talented enough to stay in the industry?
My point is, if you truly love fashion, and it's what you really would like to do with your life - then stay committed to it. Jobs suck for everybody. I'm and Interior Designer and job opportunities are scarce. But I wouldn't dream of changing my career just because the job I have now is not as fulfilling or pays the bills as much as I would like. So for now I'm looking at different avenues and expanding my experiences as much as I can in the industry. Do you know of anyone in the area of Fashion Design that inspires you - can you ask them to be your mentor? Are there organizations that you can spend more time being involved in? Maybe you can re-visit your original study and see if you can pursue other avenues and other experiences that would be fulfilling and enhance your skills so that when the right opportunity comes, your resume will look much better than the average Fashion Grad.
Over the last few years and especially after working in retail for a while I've realized one of my true passions is helping people. I've applied to some many fashion jobs and all I hear is that I do not have enough experience, and I'm not alone. Many of my fellow graduates from the school I attended are now following different career paths such has hairdressing or being a chef.
I would love to even open a store or boutique of my own but with the economy being the way it is, I do not think it is a smart move at all. School is pricey and it is such a risk that I think I should stick with the knowledge I have and build a career from there.
Thank you all for the advice, its good to hear more opinions then just hearing what DH and my parents say