Kerri Callan
When Kerri Callan finished secondary school, she found herself at a crossroads, unsure of what career path to follow. She had always loved art and being creative, but struggled to see a clear direction for her passion.
She chose to study fashion design in Dublin, a course she enjoyed, but it wasn’t until she experienced company pitches that she found her true calling – the business side of fashion.
“We would do mock company pitches and I got a complete thrill out of it. I loved the business aspect of fashion and that’s when I knew it was time for a change,” she said.
Determined to find a course that would focus on the commercial and strategic side of fashion, Kerri began researching online. That’s when she discovered Portobello Institute’s BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising.
Choosing Education as the Key to Success
For Kerri, pursuing higher education was important. She wanted to develop a strong foundation in the industry, networking connections and opportunities, equipping herself with the essential skills and knowledge that would prepare her for a successful career.
“It was important to me to have a degree behind me. I wanted to learn more about the industry and I felt that studying would give me a greater understanding of it. There was also a lot I didn’t know, when it came to Excel sheets and financial accounts. I wanted to be prepared for when I joined the industry and know everything I possibly could.
“Having a qualification was a comfort blanket for me. I also feel like it could potentially give me a leg up on others when competing for a job role, as I would have a degree behind me. Portobello’s course focuses specifically on buying and merchandising in the fashion industry, which makes me feel more confident in scenarios, as I know what I’m talking about,” she said.
Why Choose Portobello Institute for Fashion Buying and Merchandising?
Kerri began to notice Portobello Institute popping up in conversations and online among people in her hometown. She was impressed by the high-quality reviews and the high employment rates of its graduates as well as the experience of our expert lecturers.
“Every review I heard was positive and couldn’t have been better. Upon further research and looking at the Instagram page, I was really impressed. What stood out to me the most about Portobello Institute was the success rate of past students and the incredible employment rate of students when they graduated.
“This gave me huge peace of mind. Another great factor that solidified my choice in Portobello Institute was the lecturers and their experience. Each of them have their own experiences within the industry and understand it from hands on opportunities. These opportunities prove that there is jobs within the industry and comforted me in my choice,” she said.
Following Her Passion for the Business Side of Fashion
From a young age, Kerri dreamed of working in the fashion industry. She loved how fashion allows people to express themselves and was fascinated by the different styles she saw around her. However, she soon realised that a career in fashion wasn’t limited to design.
“I believe I absolutely did [follow my passion]. Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed about working in the fashion industry. When I got older I realised there was many more avenues to a career in fashion and than a designer.
“I love how fashion allows you to be creative and express yourself through clothing. I find looking at people’s different styles fascinating. I also love creating my own ideas and communicating them to others, via presentations.
“I have worked in retail and really enjoy the behind the scenes of it all. From the concept, to the production, to hitting the shop floor, I love the entire process. By combining both my love for fashion and business, I was able to follow my passion, which is fashion buying and merchandising,” she said.
A Positive Learning Experience at Portobello Institute
Kerri’s time at Portobello Institute has been nothing short of transformative. The welcoming atmosphere, hands-on learning, and strong industry connections have helped her grow both professionally and personally.
“I can only speak highly about my time in Portobello Institute. My experience was so positive and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The atmosphere is so welcoming and everyone is at ease. I felt comfortable working in groups and even public speaking.
“My confidence has doubled, since I began in Portobello. I used to be terrified of public speaking and now it’s not even a second thought to me. I loved how my learning was hands on and I got great insights into the industry. From visiting Pure in London and Premier Vision in Paris, I was able to see exactly what to expect in my career.
“Their lecturers empower students to achieve their goals and push them towards the career of their dreams. Your learning is catered to your lifestyle, meaning I was able to work, while being in college. I absolutely loved my time at Portobello Institute and wish I could do it all again.
“This course at Portobello Institute was most definitely the right choice for me. From the day I started my course, my love for fashion buying and merchandising has continued to grow.
“The course is genuinely interesting and I love learning more and more about it. It caters to both my creative side and my business brain, you get the best of both worlds. Due to the course being three days a week, I have the ability to work on top of earning my education, which is important to me. I can gain experience on the days I’m not in college and put it towards building my career path.
“My lecturers push me to reach my full potential and that motivates me more. I have never felt so sure about anything, as much as I have that this course is right for me,” she said.
The Best Part of Studying Fashion Buying and Merchandising at Portobello Institute
“By far the best thing about studying at Portobello is their amazing lecturer’s. They are on hand and ready to answer any query’s a student may have. No question is too silly. Their reply’s are quick and knowledgeable, you can reach out to them day or night. They also have great advice, due to their personal experiences within the industry.
“As the class groups are quite small, it allows students to create a relationship with their lecturer, which is invaluable and my Portobello experience would be very different without them.
“It’s a very personal experience and you can tell your lecturers want you to go far and achieve your dreams. They regularly check in with students, via one to ones. You don’t get that sort of experience from anywhere else, and it’s great to know how involved they are in your learning.
“Portobello Institute definitely has the best of the best staff.
“I couldn’t recommend Portobello Institute more to a friend. It is by far the best college, in my opinion.
“As the course is only three days, it allows students to work for the rest of the week. They can gain work experience and possibly grow within their career. By using their knowledge from their course, along with their experience, they can progress and achieve their goals.
“In our classes, we present regularly, which is great practice for the real world. Everything we do and learn is relevant to our future careers. We learn a lot by doing and it is a hands on experience.
“Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, making it easy to just slot right in. We have a lot of fun too, when it comes to discussing fashion trends and red carpets. Overall Portobello institute is a 10/10,” she said.
A Bright Future in Fashion: A Career in Fashion Buying
After graduating, Kerri has a clear vision of where she wants to go. Her ultimate goal is to become a senior buyer, starting as a junior buyer and working her way up.
“My first step is to become a trainee buyer at Primark HQ, where I can learn the ropes and gain valuable experience. I want to take in as much knowledge as possible and work my way up in the industry,” she said.
She credits her qualification from Portobello Institute as the key to setting her up for success.
“I feel like this qualification is amazing for setting me up for a successful career. It is the only level 8, Fashion Buying and Merchandising course [of its kind in Ireland], so immediately you’re already ahead.
“As a lot of our work is hands on, we are able to practice for our future career. We learn by doing and everything we learn is relevant to our future career. Having this qualification makes me already ahead when it comes to competing for a position in the industry.
“Everything that I have seen, done and achieved so far in my career, has been down to the lovely staff. Everyone really wants to see you do well in life and it is very apparent. As a student, you are motivated to learn and grow, while making room for some fun. It is a great learning environment and every experience is a positive one,” she said.
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