Fashion Industry?

I'm at a point where I've been thinking a lot about college and possible careers and I'm wondering about careers in the fashion industry?

I love photography so I was hoping to maybe work on becoming a fashion photographer. I want to go to FIT or FIDM and intern for a fashion magazine, styling company, or any other fashion company. You know working at runway shows, photoshoots, etc. behind the scenes.

I'm wondering what exactly the school life and job will entail? What skills should you have? If I'm willing to work hard where will it get me?

Can you tell me the different areas of fashion study and tell me about them? I was going to be in fashion for several years and then later move on to other kinds of photography and journalism.

I just need all the information I can get, so please tell me what you think and what I should know. I'm willing to devote my summer to it to see if I really like it, what are summer fashion programs I could try also?

I attended FIT for fashion design. It is a really difficult school to get into. For the fashion design program there were over 1000 applicants for 250 spots. It certainly isn't all glitz and glamour. You have to buy all your books and supplies, living in NYC is extremely expensive and the dorm isn't cheap either. The classes are long ( I had 2 classes that were each 8 hours long!) and you can expect to spend a lot of late nights in the labs getting your projects finished. My suggestion is to study photography in your area at a 2 year school to build a portfolio,and then transfer to FIT.