The Ultimate Footwear Career Guide Are you looking for a career in footwear? Learn about the opportunities and skills you need to work in the footwear industry in this guide. Footwear has emerged as a lucrative market with subcategories in athletic footwear, leather footwear, and textile & other footwear. The global footwear market was forecast to be worth $365.5 billion in 2020 and to reach nearly $530.3 billion by 2027. Experts predict that by 2027, women’s footwear will rake in about $220 billion in revenue. Working in the footwear industry can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. The footwear industry is large, with many different jobs to match your skills and experience level. Some work with the marketing, design, and distribution of footwear, while others are responsible for creating and producing footwear. For anyone interested in a career in the footwear industry, learning about the opportunities available is an important first step. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about working in the footwear industry. The Ultimate Footwear Career Guide is your source to discover careers and learn entry points into the footwear industry. In addition to providing information on different career paths available, we also offer exercises on how to begin your career and highlight important skills to help you succeed. In this guide, you can explore the jobs that drive the market, then search for your perfect career by area of interest, skills, companies, or industry experts. Learn about your skills and interests, identify career options you might pursue, and implement a successful strategy to attain your desired career outcomes. In this guide, you’ll find the following information: • Overview of the footwear industry • The future of footwear • Footwear Career Library • Career Planning Strategy to get into the footwear industry You’ll also find simple exercises that help you: • form a career planning strategy to get into the footwear industry • find your passion for footwear business and identify an area of interest to pursue • learn the industry through top brands, companies, and key players • identify your skills and match them to a place of interest Looking to learn more about the footwear industry, the career opportunities, or build the skills you need? Explore our footwear business course — Footwear Business Foundations — led by the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to learn the ins and outs of the industry while building your expertise to break into the field.

1. THE
ULTIMATE
FOOTWEAR
CAREER
GUIDE

2. SPECIAL OFFER
2
OUTLINE

3. SPECIAL OFFER
3
04
09
14
18
Industry 101
Prospective Highlights
Future of Work
Design
Manufacturing
Marketing
Retail & Distribution
Novice Strategy
Alumni Strategy
Expert Strategy
05
07
08
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
21
24
27
32
34
36
CAREER LIBRARY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
GETTING STARTED
Pinpoint Your Passion for Footwear
Learn The Industry
Identify Your Skills
Brand Research
Set Your Career Goals
General Rules of Exploration
OVERVIEW

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4
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE OF WORK

5. 5 SPECIAL OFFER
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
The footwear industry encompasses
the designing, producing, and retailing
of shoes. Originally, footwear was born
out of the need for protective wear for
the feet. Over the years, it evolved into a
staple of the fashion industry. American
pop culture reshaped the footwear
industry in the second part of the 20th
century. Celebrities influenced a cultural
shift and popularized several footwear
trends that endure today. Audrey Hepburn
is credited with introducing kitten heels to
the general public, and the Beatles made
Chelsea shoes a must-have for men.
Luxury brands began designing men’s
and women’s footwear lines as part of
their seasonal releases in the 1950s, with
the release of the Gucci Horsebit loafer in
1953.

6. 6 SPECIAL OFFER
OVERVIEW
Although related to fashion and can be studied under
accessories, footwear has emerged as its own lucrative market.
There are subcategories for athletic, leather, textile & misc.
footwear. In 2022, the global footwear market was estimated
to be worth nearly $382 billion and is forecasted to reach $508
billion by 2027. The women’s footwear market is a
significant driver of the industry’s success valued at more than
$178 billion. Women’s footwear is forecasted to reach about
$220 billion by 2027. This subcategory of the industry is powered
by the sales of high heels, accounting for over $34 billion.
Athletic footwear is another factor in the industry’s profitability
as Nike and Jordan Brand have redefined the market. Sneakers
have crossed over from sport-specific to other industries like
streetwear and luxury. As demand has increased for athleisure
sneakers, the global athletic footwear revenue expected to
exceed $110 billion by 2025.

7. 7 SPECIAL OFFER
In 2022, footwear
market revenue
in the U.S. was
approximately
$85.8 billion, a 10%
increase from the
previous year.
The athletic
footwear market
is worth over $13
billion.
The average
expenditure on
women’s footwear
is $136.62 per
consumer unit.
OVERVIEW
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
$85 BILLION $13 BILLION $136.62
Canada is the most valuable footwear
export market of the U.S., with
approximately $273 million worth of
footwear exported to Canada.

8. 8 SPECIAL OFFER
FUTURE OF WORK
Companies are introducing
more technology to footwear
products. Shoes now feature
GPS, health monitors,
biometric trackers, and auto-
lacing. Brands are constantly
competing with each other
to refine digital capabilities
further. Soon, sneakers will
provide detailed information
on training and health. In
2021, Nike became one of the
first footwear companies to
venture into the metaverse
by purchasing RTFKT Studios,
an NFT creator. More brands
are expected to follow their
lead and partner with similar
companies.
Footwear can be made up
of different materials such
as leather, plastic, rubber,
or fabric. As the industry
focuses more on eco-friendly
and sustainable products,
brands are experimenting
with new materials. In 2020,
Nike released its first “This is
Trash’’ series. The line featured
sneakers and shirts made from
“space waste yarn” — a blend
composed of 85% recycled
polyester from recycled plastic
bottles, t-shirts, and yarn scrap.
Other brands incorporate
eco-friendly raw materials like
organic cotton and vegetable-
dyed leather to produce
footwear. The global
sustainable footwear market
is valued at $7.5 billion
andexpected to grow at a
compound annual growth
rate of 5.8% through 2027.
There are over 12,000 people
employed in the U.S.’s shoe
& footwear manufacturing
industry and 2.5 million people
working in footwear sales.
Like the broader fashion
world, footwear struggles
with diversity at the corporate
level. In 2020, it was reported
that the board of directors for
Nike was 15% Black and 31%
female. The supervisory board
for Puma was 16% Black and
33% female. Adidas’ executive
board was 0% Black and
17% female. The brands have
committed millions of dollars
to social justice issues and
correcting their own diversity
issues.
OVERVIEW

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9
CAREER
LIBRARY
Many careers can be pursued within the
footwear industry. The Footwear Business
Foundations course led by Fashion
Institute of Technology and Footwear
News gives a holistic understanding of the
footwear industry, including the careers
responsible for driving the market forward
while understanding how to develop
necessary skills. For those interested in
sneakers specifically, FIT also has the
Sneaker Essentials course, created with
the pros from Complex. Below is a list
of career possibilities for students, along
with highlighted industry experts within
the course you could learn from.

10. 10 SPECIAL OFFER
Creative Director
Graphic Designer
Footwear Designer
Assistant Designer
Materials Designer
Technical Designer
Women’s Footwear Designer
Pattern Maker
Sample Maker
Fit Technician
Product Line Manager
Footwear Developer
Footwear Material Innovator
Children’s Footwear Designer
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
DEE OCLEPPO-HILFIGER
Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur
CAREERS IN
FOOTWEAR DESIGN

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CAREER LIBRARY
Product Manager
Production Coordinator
Production Manager
Sample Coordinator
Cobbler
Chemical Regulatory Specialist
Footwear Product Test Analyst
Quality Control Specialist
Sustainability Coordinator
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
JESSICA RICH
CEO & Shoe Designer, Jessica Rich
CAREERS IN FOOTWEAR
MANUFACTURING

12. 12 SPECIAL OFFER
Marketing Director
Project Manager
Public Relations Manager
Digital Marketing Manager
Marketing Coordinator
Social Media Manager
Community Manager
Content Producer
Events Marketing Manager
Photographer
Videographer
Video Editor
Copywriter
Footwear Editor
Stylist
Model
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
MICHAEL ATMORE
Chief Brand Officer, Fairchild Media
Group; Editorial Director, Footwear News
CAREERS IN FOOTWEAR
MARKETING

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CAREER LIBRARY
Footwear Buyer
Merchandising Coordinator
Retail Operations Manager
Visual Merchandiser
Store Manager
Controller
Sales Director
Wholesale & Retail Manager
Account Executive
Sales Associate
Ecommerce Manager
Ecommerce Customer Service Rep
Warehouse Fulfillment Associate
Apparel Authentication Specialist
Planner
Retail Sales Associate
Operations Manager
Footwear Authenticator
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
MATT PRIEST
President & CEO, Footwear Distributors &
Retailers of America
CAREERS IN FOOTWEAR
DISTRIBUTION & RETAIL

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14
CAREER
PLANNING
STRATEGY
There is no set linear path to achieving
your dreams within the footwear industry.
The following is a three-phase career
planning guide that reflects industry
experts’ experiences and is tailored
to novices, alumni, and experts who
are either considering a career within
footwear, navigating into the footwear
industry, or experiencing growth and
leadership in their roles.

15. 15 SPECIAL OFFER
NOVICE
NOVICE
Begin to
understand your
interests within the
footwear industry
Explore career
options within the
footwear industry
Determine
when you want
to enroll in the
Footwear Business
Foundations course
led by FIT and
Footwear News,
Sneaker Essentials
from FIT and
Complex, or other
relevant programs
or conferences to
expand your
knowledge
Create a
LinkedIn profile
and reach out to
potential mentors
or industry experts
that align with your
area of interest
Learn more
about the FIT x
Footwear News
Footwear Business
Foundations
course or the FIT x
Complex Sneaker
Essentials course
Follow
Yellowbrick on
Instagram and
TikTok to learn
about expert
workshops on
topics related
to the industry,
networking, and job
searching
Identify the
career path(s)
you’re interested in
pursuing
Identify your
interests, values,
skills, and talents
Enroll in
programs, classes,
and attend
conferences that
allow you to gain
first-hand learning
experience about
the footwear
industry
Learn the
timelines and
experiences of
potential mentors
and industry
experts you admire
Understand
recruiting timelines
within the footwear
industry
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY

16. 16 SPECIAL OFFER
Have an expert
understanding
of how to build a
successful footwear
company
Complete
templates,
assignments, and
work that apply
to the footwear
industry
Upload work
completed onto
your portfolio and
LinkedIn
Review job
descriptions of
positions within the
footwear industry
that interest you
Attend events
to build a network
Attend
recruiting events
and employer
information
sessions
Connect with
mentors, industry
experts within your
field of interest,
and alumni to
better position
yourself for the job
search
Assess what
you’ve learned
about yourself and
the intersection
between footwear
career paths and
the alignment with
your skills and
interests
Seek an
internship or entry-
level opportunity
within your field of
interest in footwear
Determine
the gaps in your
skillset and pursue
opportunities to
build those skills
needed
Revise and
tailor your resume
and cover letter
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
ALUMNI
ALUMNI

17. 17 SPECIAL OFFER
In-depth,
hands-on
knowledge about
specific careers
within the footwear
industry
Master
communication
within your
discipline and field
Have your hand
on the pulse with
industry trends and
topics
Develop
and maintain
relationships with
mentors and peers
within the footwear
industry
Explore
leadership,
speaking
engagements,
and opportunities
within the industry
beyond your 9 to 5
Collaborate
with peers,
companies, and/or
organizations
Celebrate your
accomplishments,
growth, and
opportunities to
learn
Give yourself
permission to
pursue and grow
out of your comfort
zone
Ensure your
professional online
presence is up to
date: LinkedIn,
website, etc.
Prepare field-
specific application
materials (resume,
cover letter,
samples/portfolio)
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
EXPERT
EXPERT

18. SPECIAL OFFER
18
GETTING
STARTED
PINPOINT YOUR
PASSION FOR FOOTWEAR
LEARN THE INDUSTRY
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
BRAND RESEARCH
SET YOUR
CAREER GOALS
GENERAL RULES
OF EXPLORATION

19. 19 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
ON YOUR NEXT STEPS
The footwear industry is made up of an
ecosystem of careers ranging from design
to retail. The possibilities may feel vast,
but you can follow a career planning
process that will help you make informed
decisions beyond the completion of the
FIT x Footwear News Footwear Business
Foundations or the FIT x Complex Sneaker
Essentials course. Figuring out what
career you want to pursue and creating a
plan to get there involves assessing your
interests and skills, exploring your options,
making decisions, and taking action to
achieve your career goals. While each
person’s experience will be unique, these
key points apply to everyone.
GETTING STARTED

20. 20 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
DISCOVER
Dig into your interests,
personal values, skills,
work environment
preferences, lifestyle,
and job responsibilities
to identify different
fields within the
industry you’re
passionate about.
ACT
Get hands-on
experience from
internships, projects,
volunteering, job
opportunities related to
your evaluation.
EXPLORE
Research and learn
a range of career
options that align with
your interests you’ve
discovered.
DECIDE
Assess and evaluate
your options and narrow
down your selections
to a few that match
best with your lifestyle,
work environment
preferences, and wants.
It’s important to practice a growth
mindset and be open to exploring your
passions, interests, wants, and needs.

21. 21 SPECIAL OFFER
21
PINPOINT
YOUR
PASSION FOR
FOOTWEAR
The most important elements in figuring
out your career path and next steps are
understanding your passion and how your
interests relate. This career prep exercise
is your starter guide for exploring your
passion and interests within the footwear
industry.
CAREER PREP

22. 22 SPECIAL OFFER
1
4
7
2
5
3
6
DIRECTIONS
Take a few minutes to reflect on the
following topics. Come up with 3-5
answers to each. Once you are finished
answering the questions, identify
commonalities, and find themes in your
answers.
During my
free time, I...
I’m an expert at... I’m obsessed with
the footwear
industry because...
I’m energized by...
I like learning
about...
If I can learn
anything about the
footwear industry,
it’d be...
Naturally,
I’m good at...
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION
1
4
7
2
5
3
6

23. 23 SPECIAL OFFER
OF your answers, what common theme(s) are you seeing related
to these areas of interest within the footwear industry?
FOOTWEAR DESIGN
FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING
FOOTWEAR MARKETING
FOOTWEAR DISTRIBUTION & RETAIL
ACTION STEP
From the common themes you’ve seen in your answers, who is
one person you can talk to and learn more about in your area
of interest?
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION

24. SPECIAL OFFER
24
LEARN
THE
INDUSTRY
How well do you know the footwear
business? Use this research exercise
to learn more about key players in
the footwear industry, your favorite
companies, their competitors, and
discover what brands you want to work
for (or start!).
CAREER PREP

25. 25 SPECIAL OFFER
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

26. 26 SPECIAL OFFER
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

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27
IDENTIFY
YOUR
FOOTWEAR
SKILLS
As you understand your interests within
the footwear industry, you must be aware
of the skills you have developed and
already possess, especially when planning
your career goals or beginning your job
search.
CAREER PREP

28. 28 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the footwear industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
FOOTWEAR DESIGN
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Creative
Self-motivated
Focused
Forward-thinking
Organized
Tech savvy
Willingness to push boundaries
Ambitious
Detail-oriented
Time management skills

29. 29 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the footwear industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Communication skills
Team player
Problem solver
Multitasker
Critical thinking
A desire to learn
Leadership
Dependable
Accountable
Can take initiative

30. 30 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the footwear industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
FOOTWEAR MARKETING
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Can handle deadlines
Enthusiastic
Ability to network
Goal-oriented
Insightful
Strong interpersonal skills
Strategic thinking
Adaptability
Written and verbal communication
Analytical

31. 31 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the footwear industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
FOOTWEAR RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
An understanding of the market
Outgoing
Positive attitude
Independent worker
Patient
Resilient
Proactive
Confident
Persuasive
Flexible

32. 32 SPECIAL OFFER
BECOME
AN EXPERT
Clients, hiring managers, and head
hunters are impressed with what you
know and the skills you can bring to the
table. Making time for yourself to become
an expert is how you’ll find your lane
and make yourself stand out. This can
appear in different ways: investing in your
career with time, money, and knowledge.
While there’s constant exposure to new
information, it can be overwhelming to
figure out where to start and how to
keep up. Begin with what you know and
where your interests fall — by researching
the brands you gravitate towards or
competitors of the labels you love.
BRAND RESEARCH

33. 33 SPECIAL OFFER
Adidas
Alden Shoe Company
Aldo
Aquazzura
Asics
Atletica
Baker’s
Banana Republic
Birkenstock
Charlotte Stone
Chinese Laundry
Cole Haan
Columbia Montrail
Columbia Sportswear
Converse
Crocs
DC Shoes
DSW
Diadora
Dr. Martens
Eileen Fisher
Emme Parsons
Etnies
Feiyue
Fila
Fluevog Shoes
Foot Locker
Foreva
Heelys
Hush Puppies
Jessica Rich
Jimmy Choo
Johnston & Murphy
Journeys
K-Swiss
Keds
Kenneth Cole
New Balance
Nike
Li-Ning
Louboutin
Manolo Blahnik
Puma
Reebok
Salvatore Ferragamo
Sam Edelman
Saucony
Sergio Rossi
Skechers
Sophia Webster
Sorel
Steve Madden
Stuart Weitzman
Timberland
Tom Ford
UGG
Under Armour
Vans
TOP FOOTWEAR BRANDS
TO GET YOU STARTED
BRAND RESEARCH

34. SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS 34
SETTING
YOUR
CAREER
GOALS
You’ve narrowed in your passions and
done some research into the footwear
industry. Identifying your career goal and
creating a plan around it will help you
with your next steps.
Setting career goals requires planning.
Identify academic requirements,
experience, barriers, and other factors
that will help you prepare for your career
goals on the next page.
CAREER PREP

35. 35 SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS
ACADEMICS
EXPERIENCE
BARRIERS
OTHER FACTORS
CAREER GOALS

36. 36 SPECIAL OFFER
GENERAL RULES OF CAREER
EXPLORATION WITHIN THE
FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY
GENERAL RULES
EXPLORE
Take time to
explore how your
interests and
skills intersect
with different
career paths in
the footwear
industry. This will
help you holistically
understand the
whole industry
and communicate
the value you can
bring to future
employers.
BUILD
Each opportunity
you take on builds
a foundation of
skills that are
applicable for the
next opportunity.
START
Beginning allows
you to build a
wide range of
experiences,
explore various
fields, and give you
room to change
your mind or pivot
along the way.

37. 37 SPECIAL OFFER
37
READY TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT
THE FOOTWEAR
INDUSTRY AND
ALL ASPECTS OF
THE FOOTWEAR
BUSINESS?
Check out the FIT x Footwear News
Footwear Business Foundations
course or the FIT x Complex Sneaker
Essentials course.

38. 38 SPECIAL OFFER
STATISTA | US FOOTWEAR MARKET
https://www.statista.com/topics/4704/us-footwear-market/
NPD | THE FUTURE OF FOOTWEAR REPORT
https://www.npd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/The-
Future-of-Footwear-W1-P-1.pdf
DATA USA | SHOE STORES
https://datausa.io/profile/naics/shoe-stores
GRAND VIEW RESEARCH | SUSTAINABLE FOOTWEAR
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/
sustainable-footwear-market
DIGITAL JOURNAL | WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR MARKET
https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/womens-footwear-market-
expected-at-a-cagr-of-4-2-us-219-5-bn-during-the-forecast-
period-2022-2027
ZIPPIA | FOOTWEAR SALES ASSOCIATES
https://www.zippia.com/footwear-sales-associate-jobs/
demographics/
RESOURCES

39. SPECIAL OFFER
39
FOOTWEAR
BUSINESS
FOUNDATIONS
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
faculty, together with insiders and
experts from Footwear News and other
leading brands, help you learn how to
build a successful footwear company.
This 100% online course will build your
business skills in footwear and expertise
in key areas such as:
How to create a cohesive collection for a
specific consumer demographic
Understanding the entire footwear
production process
How to form a brand identity
Different areas of footwear retail
The vital roles in the footwear industry
Learn more at ylearn.co/footwearbook.
ABOUT

40. 40 SPECIAL OFFER
SNEAKER
ESSENTIALS
Fashion Institute of Technology faculty,
together with leaders from Complex and
across the sneaker world, will teach you
about the key areas and related career
opportunities in the ever-evolving sneaker
industry.
This 100% online course will build your
sneaker industry skills and expertise in
key areas such as:
Sneaker design and functionality
Manufacturing and distribution
Brand strategy and marketing
Publicity and media
Learn more at ylearn.co/sneakersbook.
ABOUT

41. 41 SPECIAL OFFER
EMPOWERING DREAMERS TO
ACHIEVE THEIR CALLING
In partnership with top universities
and brands, we create educational
experiences that tap into interests and
passions to spark success, fuel personal
advancement, and open doors to fulfilling
paths for our students.
Check out our full course offerings at
ylearn.co/ebook.
Join us on social media:
ylearn.co/facebook
ylearn.co/instagram
ylearn.co/linkedin
ylearn.co/youtube
ylearn.co/twitter
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ylearn.co/pinterest
ABOUT