Should I get two AAS degrees in 2 years?

Question

Hello.

I posted this question earlier, but some people just give me the wrong info, so I deleted and repost it again.

I'm currently working on my AAS for Fashion Design. I will graduate by December 2009.

My question is:

Should I get two AAS degrees, or get a BA degree? (I don't know if there is a BA degree for Fashion Design, not Fashion Merchandising)

It takes 2 years each to get an AAS in Fashion Design and Theatrical Costume Design.

As for me, I'll need 1 more year and 6 months to complete my AAS in Fashion Design. My counselor told me that once I complete my AAS in Fashion Design I can take one semester (6 months) and get an AAS in Theatrical Costume Design.

The reasons why is that the classes that I took for Fashion Design will be all transfer credits for Theatrical Costume Design, leaving me only 6 months to get a AAS in Theatrical Costume Design.

What do you think? Should I get two AAS degree?

If there is a BA degree for Fashion Design, it will take me 2 more years of school.

I just want to finish school and start working. So I can have a career not a job.

My major is fashion design, which mean is that I will be sewing, making garment, designing and etc.

I want to works in a the entertainment field, but it will require me to need a degree for Theatrical Costume Design and Fashion Design, if I want to make clothes for Theatre or film.

Answer 1

BS is ALWAYS better...

Thats why it takes more work to complete...

It also gets more respect... take it from me... I'm not a fashion designer... but I have an AAS and a BS...

I got a job with my BS not my Associates...  

Answer 2

There is a BFA in fashion design, and one in costume design. Places like Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology offer such degrees. But if you don't want to go on for a BFA now (or ever), then getting that second AS in costume design sounds like a very strong option. It'll only take six months, so you lose very little, and it may allow you to get work in that field. I think you should do it.

In addition, and importantly, I want you to get involved in the costuming side of things at your school, in your local community theaters, and at summer stock theaters. In order to get into this field when you graduate, you need the education, a strong portfolio, and actual work experience in the field while you study. Usually, design students start as stitchers and etc. in these theaters, and then are able to work their ways up to helping with costume design, and perhaps also actually being in charge of the costume designs. And at the Equity (union) summer stock theaters, you get paid. You can use a resource like SETCs to get jobs in such summer theaters, as a lot of theaters hire out of such events:

http://www.setc.org/

http://www.netconline.org/

And you can also send your resume directly to theaters.

You can also do costumes and related for student films. You may be able to find jobs (often unpaid) doing such work via Backstage, which is an industry newspaper. There is a website, so you can look it up.

You could also look into doing a formal internship with a professional group, such as the Boston Ballet, or your local equivalent.