Krista's writing the essay

Blog reflection

2008-01-15T05:36:00.000-08:00

Using the blog was a very helpful tool during the first semester. The comments I received on my post were a great way to help me improve my writing. Working on the blog turned out to be much more easier than having to hand write something, then turn it, and then wait for the teacher to get back to you. I also liked I was able to view everyone Else's opinions on certain topics, and get ideas from them to work into my writing. I realized how helpful the blog really was when it came time to start on my final paper. The four blog post we were required to put up, turned out a very good basis for my body paragraphs. In some ways I felt like I already had most of my essay done which made writing it a lot less stressful.

Introduction

2008-01-08T05:28:00.000-08:00

Everyday millions of people all over the world put on an outfit when they wake up. For some, their ensemble expresses their personality, for others their creativity can only go as far as what’s allowed at school or work. While some of these people only look at a shirt as a shirt, and navy blue pants no different from black pants, what they don’t realize is the industry they are contributing to. This industry has in fact been around for centuries, believably considered to have originated in England. Since the early nineteenth century it has been carried over to America first only as a textile industry, not creating the apparel portion until almost the twentieth century. As both industries merged into one, it continuously grew, forming the term “designer,” which was developed from apprentices who were taught pattern making. During the 1950’s and 60’s, fashion had become so huge, that trends were not just popping up one at a time, but multiple at a time. Designers all over the world were gaining recognition, taking the industry to a higher level in a very short time. Soon there were more than just designers, the fashion world consisted of retailer, buyers, pattern makers, tailors, and seamstresses. Towards the beginning of the twenty-first century the fashion industry was a competitive business seeking out fresh and new designs every second. As knowledge about this grew, so did the want of many young individuals to be a part of this world. One of the few problems that arose was the lack of preparation many newcomers possessed.

Do I have an interesting enough beginning?

Research

2008-01-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

So far I've started doing a little research towards my paper, and have even started some of the introduction. Right now I'm focusing on the history of the fashion industry for my intro, as background information leading into the larger topic. One source that has worked for me so far is http://www.shirleywillett.com/historyoffashion.html. This site provides basic info on where and around what time period fashion became a big hit. By analyzing this site, I think it will help me to make a better connection to how fashion started out and, and what it has evolved into today. The author of the site also provides a brief biography of her life, chronicling how many jobs she took before becoming her own custom designer.

School Preparation

2007-12-20T05:42:00.000-08:00

One of the best way to be prepared for a job in the fashion industry starts by attending a school that provides assistance in the field. There are some colleges that offer certain degrees in fashion merchandising and design, but there also colleges that specialize in just that. In New York City there is The Fashion Institute of Technology, and The Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, and in four areas of California there is The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. The majors these schools offer, focus primarily on anything and everything relating to fashion. One of the big positives to going to one of these schools is required internships most students have to complete. Upon finishing one of these internships, there's a very good chance of being hired by the company, even before you finish school. Even if a person does not get a job offer, the experience that person has is always on hand.

The Dark Side?

2007-12-19T05:34:00.000-08:00

In my last entry, I mentioned how the the fashion industry can be cut-throat and fast paced. Although a little unrealistic, a perfect example of this is the movie, and book The Devil Wears Prada. The movie focuses on a high-powered fashion magazine editor, and a naive girl wanting to be a journalist. The relationships between the magazine editor, and her employees demonstrate what's close to a typical working environment in the industry. When things need to get done there is no time to waste, and whoever slacks off can be fired right on the spot.

One school in particular that happens to be of great preparation is the Metropolitan South Institute of Technology in Australia. The school has many other focuses rather than just fashion, but it's the curriculum that students there are exposed to that is significant. The hands on training experience students receive, is believed to be what got them so far in their careers. On the website's student success stories section, One woman claims that "The skills and knowledge it gave me were really invaluable and in the end it is what set me apart from the thousands of other girls who apply to Harper's Bazaar every year," said Henrietta Dups.

To be able to thrive and get ahead in this business, employers want to see overall uniqueness and talent. They want a person who will stop at nothing to bring bigger and better things to the surface. Most people don't consider this aspect, when thinking of a great, glamorous life they assume they're going to have.

Narrowing it down

2007-12-18T05:29:00.000-08:00

For my essay on the fashion industry, I've narrowed down the focus to be how someone would prepare for a career for each of the two major sides. The primary sides are design and merchandising, both of which have completely different job opportunities. Before deciding on what type of job a person wants they should try to find out what companies are hiring and what they're about. the website http://www.apparelsearch.com/employment.htm describe what each company is, what they're about and where they're located. This site also gives people the opportunity to post resumes, and apply for internships around the country. An internship would most likely be the best experience to have because of the hands on look you get at what the job entails.
Personally I think it's important to look at each side carefully, because not many people realize they huge difference between the two. It might take years to build up towards a career for one side, whereas it might be easier to work towards the other side. It is also important for someone to realize what they're getting themselves into. This industry is very cut throat and fast paced, people need to be able to prepare themselves for that in general, no matter what type of job they end up with.

Final essay

2007-12-13T15:05:00.001-08:00

For my last writing the essay assignment, I decided to focus on the topic of the fashion industry. Although this seems very broad, I plan to break it down into the different areas and employment opportunities presented in this industry. I chose this topic because it is something I have become very familiar with myself, and have been studying for some time. The center for most of this is New York City which is where I am every weekend. Over the past year I have had experience in how the two major areas, (design and merchandising) operate. Through that and extensive research, I believe I can come up with a solid essay, that fulfills the requirements for this final assignment.

My comparison topic

2007-12-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

The comparison I decided to look at in my essay, is that of the of the way of life in New York City, compared to suburban life in Branford. New York City is a fast paced and exciting environment where there is always something happening. On this website, there's lists for entertainment, dining, hotel accommodations, transportation, and more. This topic is not make Branford seem like a useless town, because it's not. Both towns are so completely opposite, that it's interesting to pick apart their lifestyles, and examine what each one has to offer.

comparison essays

2007-11-28T06:46:00.002-08:00

After reading two different comparison articles from the New York Times, I noticed the most how each one was written in a different format. The article about the SUV's, included various vehicles, comparing each ones design, price, and engines. The presentation of each of these is done so, through moving from one type of vehicle to the next. These types of paragraphs seem more informational, primarily using statistics, rather than comparative. Then again it is understandable given the topic being discussed.
The article about the brothers was a little harder to follow. It was difficult to look at as a comparison, mostly because the article started off focusing on the Blackwater scandal they created. After getting through the first few paragraphs it becomes less confusing, being able to see why the article is written in the format it is. The author needs to state the problem first then, add each brother's background, and how they contributed to the scandal.
Each essay had its strong points in the way it compared the topic. The car article made comparisons in a more direct way which made it easier to follow. The article about the brothers however compared them in a less obvious way, requiring the reader to get through most of the article before understanding the structure. This will help me when I write essay, because I will now be more aware of the format I use, and try to keep to that one idea.

Cell Phone Jammers

2007-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

I thought the article in the New York Times on devices used to block cell phone signals was helpful, seeing as I had no idea such a thing existed. I look at those devices as an immature and dangerous tool. They may seem like a good idea, if in a sitiuation such as the example in the article about a man who didn't want to listen to the girl's conversation, sitting next to him. In other cases blocking calls can be dangerous if there's an emergency, and one person is trying to call another, but cant.

The Uniqueness of a Blog

2007-11-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

The characteristics of a blog are unique because they are a recent development in technology. Most people today, (teens in general) use the computer as a way of communication. A blog can be useful in the way that it can be seen by more that one person, so it's easier to get a message out to the public, and it might help someone who wants to be a professional writer get started. While reading a blog, there can also be links directed towards a more useful sight. A specific sight that helped me was http://groups.google.com/group/college-essays?hl=en. This as very helpful in the midst of writing my college essays.

College application intro.

2007-10-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

On a clear, but chilly Saturday morning in February, I step outside on the plateau to await the 9:43 train that will take me from New Haven to Grand Central Station. As the minutes tick by, more people gather about the platform, waiting for the doors of the train to open up. When they finally do, I step inside, feeling as if I’m on my way towards an exciting future. After an anxious one hour and forty-five minute ride, the train pulls into a dark tunnel, signaling we have arrived at Grand Central Station. Stepping off the train, I weave my way around hoards of people, some milling around, others making their way towards the exit to the chaotic streets of New York City.

I started this off as a story, because the essay topic had to be what experiences have i had that would relate to my chosen major at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Essay Reflections

2007-10-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

The few college essays that I have read so far have seemed to be very well written. They have nice descriptions without being overly dramatic. At the end of most of these essays there was usually a message to sum it. I thought this was a good way to conclude the essay. I found this to be helpful, because the conclusion is what I have the most trouble with.

first post

2007-10-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

This is my first post in Mr. Miller's writing the essay class.