If you’ve watched Project Runway, you know there’s more to the world of fashion than whipping up a dress and sending it down the runway. Fashion can be a grueling industry that requires designers to put all their energy, creativity and, oftentimes, money into the coats and clutches that grace the pages of Vogue and the racks at Macy’s.

The complexities of fashion design are reflected in the variety of jobs in the industry. Most career paths fall into technical (ensuring accuracy of fit across sizes and styles) accessories, footwear or clothing design. But other fashion designers find their way into careers as buyers for retail stores; or as costumers for theater, TV or film.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, roughly 1 out of every 4 designers are self-employed and creating their own lines. But those seeking a more stable living should look into work as salaried design professionals at established companies.

For Nancy Barry, an assistant technical designer at Appleseed’s, a large women’s retail clothing company, a salaried position was ideal in other ways, too. “I found that I liked the industry better,” says Barry. “I could go anywhere I wanted and I could focus on one thing, instead of focusing on the entire process.”