How do I get into Retail Buying without having gone to Uni?
Asked by Karen V
I am so desperate (and is my dream) to get into Buying for a Boutique or anything in Fashion Retail. I am registered to a few sites specialising in this, but most companys want some one with a graduate calibre, or experience in a Fashion office. I obviously know I have to go in as a Junior or an assistant buyer, but is proving so difficult to get my foot on the ladder. I've already been to college etc, and wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do then, so didn't take the relevant subjects really, or go to uni as originally planned. Its only been the last year or so Im set on doing Fashion Buying. I can't afford to go to uni now as I have too many bills, and the only place that does a Fashion Buying course is the London school of Fashion, which I am hoping to do in November, when it starts again. Its only 1 evening part time for six weeks, split up into 3 further sections. Apart from this, what else can I do? Any help / ideas, I would be really grateful!

Best Answer:
You may try smaller retailers to see if you can work for them. You may also see if a scholarship is available to assist with tuition to take the additional training. Some companies have co-op programs where they allow you to attend classes while working for them to learn a specific job. You may also need to work in another field until you can take the needed classes. Sometimes we need to do something different to achieve our long term goals.