I graduated with a BFA, concentration in fashion design, just after a major economic crash. It was expected, even before the crash, that design students would take "internships" at design companies and studios where the would be free labor, doing shit like sweeping, fetching coffee, and so on, while learning nothing beyond what they got in school, and not earning any credit (because, y'know, you had already graduated). It was understood that you would do this for 18-24 months after graduation.

I was not able to do this; my (now) ex-wife was not willing to move to NYC or LA with me so I could pursue this, and I wasn't going to be able to work enough hours at a real job to support myself while also working at an "internship".

This is why I am not working in the fashion industry now.