VOCATION ROLE OF INTEREST

WELCOME

Sometimes people ask me about what I want to be in the future studying Footwear as a degree. Well the answer is not very clear, because I am not sure what I want to be. However I would like to finish my degree, and then start thinking about it. However, if I have to choose something, I would say: What I like the most - design.

Talking about a foreseeable future, next year I would love to carry on my studies in De Montfort University, because I already know the lecturers, the place and I did a lot of research visiting the university looking at projects from third year students. Moreover, because I think studying at DMU will offer me a lot of possibilities to find a good job. I also really like the level of knowledge that will be in my class next year. The lecturers sometimes come to speak to us and show us work from other students, and the last time I saw a fantastic project from a second year. It made me think what I want to achieve. Likewise, DMU offers a lot of competitions that will encourage me to participate and show my qualities, as last year one student from DMU won the competitions.

After university, I would like to work in a small brand in England during short time (one year) and learn how to be a designer, and see if I am good at it. In addition, I would love travelling everywhere. I am sure I will be a good candidate to travel because I also can speak Spanish and a little bit of Italian and after this placement I will speak perfectly.

One thing that I know a hundred percent: In the future I want to work in footwear, and as I said before, I would love being a designer (since the first moment that I started studying it). I do not know what kind of brand exactly, but if I dream big, I will say in high fashion companies such as Prada, Manolo Blahnik or Dior.

Actually, during my work experiences I worked as a designer and I was not sure about my abilities, if I am good enough. Being a designer is not just draw a pair of shoes. Each brand will have a completely different budget, style and customer profile. Therefore the aim of the designer will be make a shoe to sell. I am think it is a very difficult task, but not impossible.

I love listening to Julie, my lecturer. One day, she told us about her experiences being a buyer which she loved. However, according to Julie it was very hard work, where she had to stay until late in the office, having a lot of presentations and sometimes travelling during two weeks around the world. She said “being a buyer is a perfect job when the person is young”. Nevertheless, when the person has a family, the job will turn into being a very challenging job. She also told us the story about her colleague: Her colleague was a designer in a company, but she did not have to decide what to design, but the buyer was the person in charge of this decision. Moreover, when she had to travel with the buyer, she sometimes had to carry his/her luggage. I felt super concerned as I have chosen to be a designer, but she said to me “Sofia, no all the buyers are the same as this one”. That made me think that she was right, if I will choose being a designer, I will not allow anyone to treat me as something that I am not”. I would definitely like to try working as a buyer, it won’t put me off.

In addition, after finishing my degree I would like to go to Arsutoria School in Milano, Italy and does a three month course in design. Arsutoria is one of the most important footwear schools with a lot of success and good reputation to find a job. During one trip to Satra, I met the director of the Arsutoria who explained everything to me and I got his contact.

I cannot wait to finish all my studies and start working in my passion, footwear. Filling the gaps in my knowledge areas, learning a lot and travelling around the entire world. I have great ambitions and nothing will stop me. Also, one day I will open my own brand, when I have found my niche in the footwear industry. Always, dream big!