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Step 1
Take some classes. The textile industry encompasses many kinds of jobs, many of which don't deal directly with textile at all. If you want the opportunity for upward mobility in the industry, though, you should have a good understanding of textiles. You can take an intensive course in textiles as part of a university degree program or you can do a lighter introduction or an online program such as the Fashion, Textiles and Apparel Learning Center.
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Step 2
Head to the conferences. Going to one of the many textile conferences that take place each year will get you up to speed on the latest trends in the industry and, perhaps more importantly, it will arm you with a set of insider contacts that might come in handy. Check out the large international textile conference, the Textile Conference, or one of the smaller regional or local ones to start building your knowledge base.
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Step 3
Find a good trade journal. There are dozens of high-quality textile trade journals that will help you prepare for a job. Check out "Apparel," "Fabric Architecture" or "Home Textiles Today" to help you learn the industry's jargon and get some good material for professional conversations at your job.
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Step 4
Hit the blogosphere. To fill in everything that textile training and trade journals leave out, head to the textile blogs. Textile blogs at Just-Style and Layers of Meaning give a more personal aspect to the textile world. Check in with these blogs and read some of their archives to find out who's who and what's going on in the textile job to prepare for your textile job.
