The retail and apparel field is part of a supply chain process that starts with the creation of goods and is then sold in large quantities to a retailer that sells smaller quantities to the consumer. The retail industry offers opportunities in merchandising, store management, central management, and buying. Apparel or fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear while working in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, theater or dance companies, and design firms in large cities.
Career Guide
Meet with a Career Coach
Discuss your interests in this field further with a career coach!
Designing your major
Your major may be indirectly or directly related to your career choice, and it’s only one of many pieces to finding a good career fit. There are many majors that are related to retail and apparel here at IUB.
Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, & Design
Learn about careers in the field
- Commercial and Industrial Designers
- Costume Attendants
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
- Fashion Designers
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers
- General and Operations Managers
- Industral Production Managers
- Interior Designers
- Logistics Analysts
- Loss Prevention Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Merchandise Displayers
- Online Merchants
- Product Promoters
- Purchasing Agents
- Purchasing Managers
- Retail Sales Persons
- Sales Manager
- Sales Representatives
- Supply Chain Managers
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers
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Learn through experience
Join a student organization
Student organizations can help us clarify our interests and build experience. Here are a few ideas of organizations in this area:
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering in the community has many benefits for the community and for your personal and professional development. How can you use your knowledge and skills to make a difference?
Major Choices Podcast: Interview with an Apparel Merchandising Professional
Episode 9: Resilient and Ready for AnythingKeep exploring
There are many ways to explore careers, through research, gaining experience, and talking with other people. Your career coach is here to mentor you and help you find ways to explore that fit you best.
