SuccessBeyond
Jair Castillo
Seneca Advanced Diploma
Degree Program and Institution
The Seneca Experience
What influenced your decision to continue your education after completing your diploma?
When I was in Grade 12, I had a discussion with my friend about studying fashion. I liked how hands-on the Fashion Arts program was at Seneca and decided to enrol in it.
How would you describe your experience at Seneca?
I liked the experience at Seneca because of the professors and their support. My classmates would help me too if I couldn’t figure something out. I also liked how some of the professors understood my vision and my design language.
What was your most memorable experience at Seneca?
The most memorable moment was participating in China’s fashion week through Seneca. That is something I will never forget.
I was able to watch the runway show virtually, and it was very exciting to see so many talented designers who had innovative and creative designs. Before entering the show, you had to stand and explain your collection in front of a panel and it was an exciting, yet, nerve-racking feeling. It was very important to show off my work and creativity in such a big way.
Furthering Your Education
What influenced your decision to continue your education after completing your diploma?
I wanted to build on my skill set and I felt as though I had a lot to learn about my own design language.
How did you decide to study abroad at the University of Gloucestershire?
I saw one of their representatives at a Seneca event. I thought it would be an amazing opportunity for me. I knew fashion in the U.K. was big and thought it would be good to study there.
Going from a Diploma to a Degree
How did your Fashion Design diploma from Seneca prepare you for your degree program?
The skills I received at Seneca were transferable to my degree education. I went into the BA (Hons) Fashion Design at the University of Gloucestershire with knowledge because Seneca was so hands-on and focused on technique.
What was the transition like going from a diploma to a degree, especially in a different country? Any similarities or differences?
The 7,000-word dissertation was a big transition for me. There is a lot more writing and a deeper analysis required for your work, which I enjoyed a lot. There are similarities to the degree and diploma but the degree is more in-depth and detail-oriented.
Advice
What advice would you have for someone who is considering going onto a degree?
It is worth it because you're building on your skills from the diploma, which will make you even more qualified and skilled in your discipline.
Any tips for current students or professionals on how to balance work, school and life?
Pace yourself and prioritize your time because it’s a lot of work and you don’t want to fall behind. Take breaks, spend time with your family, or go out with your friends. You don’t want to burn out and get mentally tired, so take time for yourself.
Current Life
What are you up to now?
I am currently finishing my degree and selling my lookbooks. Since I just finished a degree show, I am just relaxing and looking for any available jobs and apprenticeships. I will be coming back to Canada after my degree.
What are your plans for the future?
I'm planning on applying for my master of arts next year. For now, I’m not sure... I hope to release more collections.