Final answer:
Fashion Merchandising graduates can find jobs at department stores like Macy's or pursue careers in product development, buying, visual merchandising, sales, and marketing. Job fairs are a key avenue for seeking employment, though many struggle to find jobs directly related to their majors. Opportunities have evolved with the retail industry, including the growth of e-commerce and digital marketing roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
After graduating with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, graduates enter a competitive job market. A significant aspect of job hunting includes attending job fairs, which is a common method for recent graduates and others to seek employment opportunities. The economic landscape has been challenging, as highlighted by a Bloomberg article stating that many college graduates struggle to find employment that matches the value of their degree, and as reported by The Washington Post, only 27 percent of college graduates land a job related to their major.
However, for Fashion Merchandising graduates, the industry offers diverse career paths. These individuals often find jobs in large department stores such as Macy's and Marshall Fields, which have historically hired the urban middle class and provided employment opportunities for the working class, including young women. The rise of these department stores was a product of increased public transportation, mass production, and consumer culture in industrialized cities, with cities like New York, Philadelphia, and London being home to major stores.
Graduates may also find employment in various facets of the fashion and retail industry, such as product development, buying, visual merchandising, sales, and marketing. The resilience and innovation in retail have paved the way for new roles, emphasizing the importance of e-commerce and digital marketing, especially in light of recent economic shifts and the growth of online shopping.