20 Points to get the best out of your MFM program

I congratulate all who are joining this program. These are just some of the points that I would like to share with you. This is an enriching program with the potential to give that jump-start to your personality and career.

1. Take Notes

Carry a durable note book with you when attending classes. Take notes. When attending presentations, try to write the main points. It is always helpful to take notes of the faculty for exams. 

2. Preserve your notes and Project files. 

Needless to say, you will need them, once you are on the job. That little procedure, those instructions will come in handy, when you are on job. 

3. Learn Excel- Advanced

Excel is not just about filling up cells and adding. It is also about referring and mapping. Learn it thouroughly, learn the shortcuts and commands like vlookup and tools like pivot table. Learn basic coreldraw and photoshop, will come in handy when designing presentations and logo.

4. Take these subjects seriously

These subjects should be considered sacrosanct- Merchandising Management, Fabric Knowledge, Retail Management, Market Reseach and Pattern Appreciation. Never miss classes or assinments in any of those. 

5. Always opt for these subjects

Never miss these subjects- Intellectual Property Rights, Financial Management and Analysis, Fashion Forecasting and Statistical Analysis ( SPSS)

6. Make contacts outside the department

Go out of MFM and develop GOOD contacts with at least five persons each in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, Garment Manufacturing Technology and Fashion Communications. They will be you mentors in their respective fields throughout your joblife. 

7. Take Freelance Assignments

Seek those out. Find out people with their relatives in the industry, do market research for them. 

8. Never Miss an exchange program

If possible, try and enroll in the overseas exchange program

9. Make use of your camera. 

It always helps to know how to click correct product photographs. Make use of you mobile camera or that small digital camera. 

10. Never compete with your colleagues

Your colleagues are your contemporaries in your job life. Never compete with them. Help them in moving ahead and take their help ( Plesae do not try to copy from their sheet in exams :)) .They are your best friends once you are on the job. 

11. Make use of Scholarship Scheme of NIFT

Sometimes needy students fail to make use of the scholorship scheme of NIFT. It is so good, that your whole course fee can be waived. If you think that you are in need, apply for it. 

12. Want to Hangout - Visit Malls

Go to malls, look at the latest trends not only in fashion, but in lifestyle and architecture. Discuss with your colleagues. 

13. Discuss your resume and your aspiration with your faculty/mentor

Your faculty is the best guide for you, discuss your aspirations, your background. They can create the pathways for your destination. Discuss your resume with them. Finetune it.

14. Never Miss your classes

I think I should not overemphasise this point. Normally I hear students say that they can learn on the job. I am telling you  it is very difficult without a clear theoretical background in your mind. 

15. Learn Terminology- Fabric, Garment, Fashion, Retail

Expertise is all about knowing your vocabulary. Make a diary and try to find the meanings of the words of the experts. What is Chic and Classy. The difference between Cambric and Poplin. Go ahead-ask people. 

16. Learn about Colors

Can you name this color. Is it green. What green- Moss green, Sage or Olive. Learn to name colors and patterns, and you will be amazed at your increased ability to discern shades. 

17. Make use of internet

Join Linkedin, Facebook. Type "Apparel Retail India" on Google and hit News. Do it every day and you will never miss an important news.Then type "Textile India" on Google News and make it a habit to visit the pages. 

18. Make use of your NIFT Library

Never miss the books that discuss forecasting- "Here and There", "Promostyle", "View" and "Textile Outlook International" are some of them. Learn how to use them. Read Economic Times, "Fashion and Lifestyle" and do not miss "Images Retail". Too much !! Yes, MFM is hard work and nobody will tell you that. 

19. Float your company

Mock start your company- just for Fun. Meet the government officials. You will be amazed how much you will learn in the process. The process of registration will remove the hurdles in your entrepreneural spirits. I don't recommend attending entrepreneurship programs. What I recommend is to go ahead and do it.

20. Learn Finance 

Go ahead and buy some shares of the listed retail companies- Pantaloon, Shopper's Stop, Zodiac, Mandhana- It will help you to follow them closly. Learn to read the financial statements. It is easy. Go through the balance sheets of Google orAlibaba to know the financial key features of online company. Go to SEBI website and read offer documents of the textile and retail company. You will know much about the industry.

Added on 05.6.2011


21. Buy Textbooks and Preserve Them
Just an afterthought, nevertheless very important !! Buy standard textbooks of the subjects that you read. Don't hand it over to your juniors. It includes books related to Fabric Knowledge, Garment Quality and Pattern making.You would always be looking for some of the concepts and definitions once you are on Job. 

Let me know what you think here.