Things you should know to get your foot in the door
What is an intern and do you get paid well?
An intern according to google is: a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, at a trade or occupation in order to gain work experience. So to answer if interns are paid well it’s in the definition. Some internships pay or give stipends, while others are unpaid. My internship was unpaid and I had a scholarship to fund my experience.
Where did you work and what did you do?
I worked at Chapter 2 a PR Agency, my task were typically on the computer to do press clippings. I also did runs which meant picking up/dropping off clothing.
How did you find your internship?
I found my internship through the website fashionista.com.
What was the search process like?
The search process was difficult because fashion internships are few, or they weren’t particularly what I was looking for. I used many beauty and fashion websites, along with google searching “fashion internships”, and using intern queen.
What was your favorite and least favorite parts about your internship you had last summer?
My favorite part of my internship was being able to see what a press day is like. Having so many editors enter the office and watching how they interact with the clothing and designer. My least favorite part was the days where there wasn’t much for the interns to do just because it would get boring.
What do you miss the most about your internship?
I miss the other interns and the office as a whole. It was an amazing learning experience.
What was it like living in NYC?
Living in New York was a dream! I have always wanted to live there and it was everything I imagined. I was blessed to live with my friend and her mom, so it felt like I had a family there. And becoming accustomed to life in NYC was easy for me. It was just like I belonged!!!
What was your biggest takeaways from your intern experience?
My biggest takeaway was to always take on every opportunity available. Whenever I was asked if I wanted to do something that wasn’t a typical task I jumped right on it to ensure I made the most of the experience for me. It’s one thing to have the internship but it means so much more when you leverage it to give you what you need from it.
Any tips on finding housing during an internship?
Look early! As I said, I was extremely blessed to have a friend that let me stay with her, however I know that isn’t always the case. I know many universities have housing available in the summer for interns. Also don’t be afraid to ask around you never know what others know.
I had an interview and didn’t get the internship what should I do next?
Don’t beat yourself up because this definitely happens to the best of us (it happened to me). Just keep applying, following up with ones you’ve already applied for, and always tell others your plans they may have something for you.
When should I start applying?
ASAP. I typically start applying at the end of November but it really depends on your industry and field. A lot of the fashion internships weren’t hiring until around February-March. Just keep your eyes open and apply every where and often.
What was the dress code?
My internship dress code was fashionable and office appropriate. Meaning we could wear whatever we wanted as long as we avoided revealing pieces like crop tops, spaghetti straps, etc. I would always email your employer about dress code because depending on what it is you might have to purchase some pieces.
Can you tell us more about the fashion industry?
The fashion industry is HUGE!!! I learned a lot about all sorts of jobs available in the industry and it’s not just designing, modeling, and styling. There is something for everyone in the fashion world, you just have to seek it out. Also, fashion can seep into any career field if you find a way!
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