- Storytime
Alumni Mentoring
"What does a day in the fashion industry really look like, and how do I break in after graduation?"
Question
There’s nothing we love more than watching a mentoring relationship begin.It often starts with one honest question. A student reaches out to an alum they’ve never met, and the alum takes a few minutes to write back. Just like that, a stranger becomes a mentor. That’s the heart of alumni mentoring and networking.
In this story, a student getting ready to graduate asked an alum what it’s really like to work in fashion, and how to break into fashion journalism after college. The alum could have sent a quick response. Instead, they wrote back with something that reads like a full mentoring session: an honest look at their day, plus six pieces of advice for starting a career in fashion.
It’s warm, thoughtful and generous. In other words, it’s alumni mentoring and networking at its best.
Max
STUDENT: Hi! I’m getting close to graduation, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next. I’ve always loved fashion, and I’m especially interested in fashion journalism, but I’m not sure what working in the industry is actually like.
Would you be open to sharing what a typical day looks like in your role? I’d also really appreciate any advice on how to break into fashion after college. Is there anything you wish you’d done differently, or anything you think I should be focusing on now?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Any advice would mean a lot.
Response
Hi STUDENT,
I’m so glad you reached out. Asking people in the industry is one of the smartest things you can do right now.
Honestly, there’s no “normal” day for me, and that’s part of why I love this work. Some days are about the creative side. Others are about the business side, like planning, meeting with partners and keeping projects on track. There’s plenty of email and admin in there too. But the creative part always makes the rest worth it.
Here’s what I’d tell anyone who wants to work in fashion:
Get started before you graduate. Take internships. Write as much as you can. Go to events, ask people about their work, and get to know your professors and alumni. The more you try, the more you’ll learn about what fits you.
Be generous with your network. Building relationships matters a lot in this industry. Just make sure it goes both ways. Think about what you can offer, not only what you need.
Give yourself time. Most people don’t have their careers figured out at graduation, and that’s okay. Your path will probably change a few times. Every setback teaches you something you’ll use later.
Grow as a person, not just as a professional. Confidence, curiosity and kindness show up in your work as much as your skills do.
Work hard, and take breaks. Some seasons will ask a lot of you. Rest is part of doing good work over the long run.
Focus on getting really good at what you do. It’s easy to get distracted by what success is supposed to look like. Put your energy into your craft, and the rest tends to follow.
Enjoy this time. Everything you’re learning now is setting you up for what comes next. One day, when a student reaches out to you, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to write back.
Wishing you all the best in your final year and beyond.
ALUM
Ready to connect your community?
Let’s find a time for Max & team to show you just how smart, simple, and scalable it can truly be for alumni and students to connect to one another for advice and support. We promise you’ll be inspired by how artificial intelligence can be a force for good.