When I was a young girl, I would sneak into my mother’s closet and marvel at the collection of fabrics, the lined-up shoes and the stacks of Vogue piled high on the ottoman. At the time, the trove of clothing seemed endless, like it went on for miles.

The issues of Vogue were my picture books. I devoured the pages, drinking in the swirls and movement of the couture dresses. The sparkle that radiated off the jewels dripping from necks, wrists and fingers. The scent that floated from the perfume samples I’d steal and keep in my own dresser drawer.

Today, I still find myself poring over those towering stacks of Vogue—no longer in my mother’s room, but in my own. It wouldn’t be until a couple of decades later that I’d find myself not only still an avid reader of the publication, but now a student of it too.

Despite my love of fashion, I never quite knew where—or even if—it would fit into my career path. The fashion industry is a difficult field to break into and an ambiguous one at that.

But for those who also grew up with issues of Vogue as their picture books and perfume samples stuffed in their pockets, here are some ways the journey can begin and what it can teach you about yourself both personally and professionally.

It All Starts Somewhere

When I was 15, I started my own blog. With zero writing experience and a school planner filled with random prompts, I took what was my first step in both my academic and professional career.

I wrote about fashion, makeup and even what I was wearing to the mall with my friends on the weekends. While this blog may not have catapulted me into a position at Vogue, it taught me how to identify fashion trends, develop my personal voice and analyze an—albeit small—audience.

The first step towards the fashion industry or a dream role doesn’t always need to begin with a coffee chat or LinkedIn request, but rather with how you choose to put forward your personal brand.

Finding Your Passion

Though I could say my career in fashion began at age 11 when I was desperate to model for a local mall, it took a much more tangible form as I prepared for university. Entering my undergraduate program, I was uncertain about my path of study. I just knew I loved fashion, enjoyed writing and had an interest in business.

Before beginning my first year, I discovered my university produced a student-run lifestyle and fashion publication. The publication was timely, informative and fun—something I absolutely had to be a part of—so I applied.

I was studying journalism, English and business at the time, and was eventually granted the position of digital writer. In my position at the publication, I learned what it was like to meet article deadlines and be a part of an editorial team.

Though this may seem like a more standard step in the direction of working at a publication like Vogue, the experience actually taught me the importance of exploring my passions outside of academics and seeing where my hobbies and academics intersected.

The Hard Work

Not only is the fashion industry difficult to break into, roles are tricky to come across. Luckily, Vogue College of Fashion provides its students with access to a multitude of channels and contacts that expand their opportunities.

Whether it’s speaking to professors about their industry experience, asking them if they know mentors in your chosen field or attending a Vogue College Presents talk and networking afterward, these small steps create at least one more channel than you previously had access to. Taking advantage of the opportunities presented in your program is a great first step towards your dream career in the fashion industry.

Like with any career, the first step is always the scariest but it’s important to keep in mind that everyone starts somewhere. Maybe it’s introducing yourself to a professor or reaching out to an alum—whatever it is, it’s your move to make. And that choice is what makes the process exciting.