This time of year can be strange for final year university students. Right now, many of them are stressed to the max, completing exams, coursework, dissertations and final hand-ins. The race to the finish line can all be a bit of a whirlwind, and often, attempting to figure out what comes next gets tossed down the line for a later date. 

For creative industries and for fashion students in particular, the last stretch of university is accompanied by a show, exhibition or presentation. Countless sleepless nights result in one flashy moment in the spotlight. But once it’s all over, what then? 

Unlike other industries where the uni-to-full-time-job pathway can be clear, in the creative world, there is no one way to get onto the career ladder. Usually sprouting from past internships or from having existing connections in the industry, landing that first break can be impossible – especially for those studying outside of London. 

Thankfully, more and more platforms are emerging to help recent grads and provide them with support. Graduate Fashion Week, for example, is now in its second year, giving young fashion designers, photographers, writers and jewellery designers a platform for their work as well as industry mentorship. Similarly, the Sarabande Foundation – a platform started by Alexander McQueen to support the next generation – is about to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its annual careers fair. 

Aptly titled What Now?, the careers fair will be hosted on June 17 at the Sarabande Foundation studio in Haggerston, east London. It invites recent graduates or emerging creatives (you don’t have to have gone to university) to get one-to-one advice from industry professionals. This year, experts include a few of us here at Dazed Media, as well as Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham, Burberry, WWD, Karla Otto, Studio Nicholson, Robert Wun and many others.

Since its inception five years ago, the Sarabande Foundation careers fair has supported over 2,000 attendees with one-to-one mentorship. The day is free and will run from 10am to 5pm. You can book your space here.