Progress, small, but progress

Hello again!

I've spent the past week researching into work placements and collating contacts. So far I have called several magazine companies to find out the best and most appropriate contacts and sent my applications across via email or letter. I feel confident over the phone and made sure even if the name was stated clearly on the website that i still called to introduce myself and tell them i was sending my CV and cover letter across. I have also contacted several companies over the internet to try gain contact details.

I'm very happy with my organisation and have kept emails together with notes were possible.

I've received an email back from a photographer in London and was very kindly given a further contact who deals with fashion photography. I was also told to drop their name, so hopefully this will lead to a suitable placement.!

I'm going to spend some time after college Monday contacting the other companies to follow my applications up. So we'll see what happens!

I'm in the process of putting together some work for my portfolio so i will scan these in soon - i'm trying to put together a mixture of design and research work and possibly work from my Film degree - i want it all to express my interests, what type of designs i have etc.
As im keen to gain a placement for a magazine or pr company, im keen to possibly add some written work, poems or scripts...

Back soon!
Chalk x

First thing's first

Hello there!

Right, so this is my blog! Welcome! Do you like the black background? I like the black background.

So I've begun the BA Hons Fashion & Clothing degree, polite smiles and the nervousness out of the way, kind of.

I've been given many, many papers and have literally just organised everything into lovely shiny folders, ready to begin!

Although I've work to do for the other modules, the continuing work at the moment is securing my work placement.

My career aspirations are for:
•A fast moving and busy position - I love a challenge
•Possibly a Head Office role - Administrative and creative position
•A company which I am passionate about, believe in and have good values
•Good opportunities for progression, appreciate and support for their employees and recognition of contributions to the business
•Involves Problem solving
•Responsibilities
•A position which requires me to manage my time effectively and set priorities and deadlines

I'd love to look into a work placement for a magazine to understand the role of a Fashion Producer, Casting Director, or possibly a PR company. I'm confident in my abilities which suit my aspirations above and feel they would suit the skills required for magazine or PR work.

Although I would surely enjoy a design placement, my abilities and confidence in pattern making and construction is lacking - I am unsure at this moment as to whether i could offer the skills required when competing with other fashion experienced students.

The search begins!!
I'm currently working at Topshop over the summer with two of the BA Fashion third year's and advised to "start searching now!". So over the summer I've worked on my CV, improving it asmuch as possible, bringing it up to date and I have also typed up my cover letter in preparation. Also, just by chance, whilst at work I served a recent BA Fashion graduate (Nicola) from Lancashire. She was EXTREMELY helpful and gave me her email so she was able to recommend contacts in the London area. At the moment she has recommended www.netaporter.com and links from the London Fashion College, so I'm just about to begin work on my image to add to my CV. I've just emailed Nicola (the graduate) back to ask for individual contacts as she worked on a paid placement year in London (still to find out who for) so hopefully she will be able to help.

Whilst at work I have tried to catch the area manager on numerous occasions to speak to him re: a placement with Arcadia or any advice he may have to offer. I finally caught up to him yesterday and explained that I was looking for a placement and extremely interested in finding out who the best contact was, to send my CV, etc. He seemed really helpful, although told me to go back to speak to him tomorrow to remind him! Apparently he didn't think Topshop were currently offering an placements but he would definitely have a word with his contact. So tomorrow, at 3 oclock on the dot I'll be waiting outside his office! Crossed fingers he'll be there! And *touch wood* he will be able to help....

I've also began a list of contacts for several magazines, finding that the main head office locations are, yes, London. I'm really interested to gain a placement outside of Leeds so my money saving has begun!! I'm researching into companies which i feel would suit my needs and me suit theirs and hae begun sending out my applications.

My action plan at present is to continue compiling contacts, researching companies, improving my CV and building my portfolio

Right folks, I start work in 32 minutes so i'm going to say "Ta-Ra for now". Back soon!
xx