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Dear Robin

You are so lucky to have parents who care for you and want to make sure you are safe and secure. So many young people don’t get any support and guidance; it is not a wonder that so many of them get caught up in bad situations.

The world of fashion is dynamic and offers a many, many opportunities within the retail environment, so it is a good career choice if you enjoy fashion and are creatively oriented. For example, Truworths, Edgars, Woolworths to name only a few, are often on the lookout for qualified people for their trainee planner, buyer, designer, garment technologist and visual display and store designer programmes. To get into these programs you need at least a national diploma in fashion design offered by a university of technology.

I would like to suggest you take this year as a gap year to find a good job in the retail environment near to your home so that you can build up your funds and show your parents you are serious about your vocation. Contact the university of technology at which you’d like to study to find out if you are eligible for any bursaries or student loans.

Spend some time with your parents discussing your career ideas and really getting to understand what is worrying them – really be adult about it. Try to work together to find a win-win situation.