Lin An’s Fashion Communication and Marketing course has convinced her that this is the side of PR and marketing she wants to work in…

Name: Lin An
Course: Fashion Communication and Marketing Foundation Degree
Institution: South East Essex College

20-year-old student Lin An has just completed a successful work placement with high street fashion  giant, Monsoon Accessorize, at their London headquarters.

She has now been accepted onto the one-year top-up course which will turn her Foundation Degree into a full honours degree.

Lin said: ‘This experience has really taught me to be very independent and more mature. My parents are from Shandong, a city close to Beijing. It’s a city by the sea and is one of the reasons why I chose South East Essex College. Southend as a town really appealed as I guess it reminded me a little bit of home with its seafront.

I chose to study at South East Essex College as I’d been to several open days at various universities, but the College offered a really unique course which other universities weren’t offering at the time, which is Fashion Communication and Marketing – exactly what I wanted to do.

I think the location of the College is great – it’s got two train stations and also gives me the flexibility of accommodation. I can choose to live in London or live locally, which is great for the world of fashion as you have many of the big companies and Fashion Week right on your doorstep.

My course is really fulfilling and I get to multitask. My tutors have been really helpful. They give us loads of space and time to develop my own style via my sketchbook.

I’m pleased that the course is very practically focused and has already proved to be a great launch pad for learning the ropes in organising high profile events such as fashion shows. I organised the PR for the College’s fashion show and it’s helped me to decide that this is the career path I  want to take.’