Category Archives: Career & Internships

Internship Class at FIT

Hi everyone!

Ever wonder what it is like taking the internship class at FIT? I have done it twice (once in my Associates degree and once in Bachelors), and will share a bit about it below!

Why take the internship class?
In New York State, work must be compensated. This means that you either need to be paid or receive credit in exchange for the work you do at an internship.

Receiving pay at an internship might take some advancement in your career or academics (they are more competitive) which leaves interning for credit as the usual starting place for some students. My first official internship was unpaid, which meant I had to take the FIT internship class to receive school credit while I did it. I had to work my part time job on the side, so it wasn’t ideal, but having it on my resume really did help me land future paid positions so I think it was a worthy tradeoff.

How do you get the internship?
Once registering for the class, you will meet with your internship counselor. This person will help you find a position and fill out the appropriate paperwork, but at the end of the day you will do all the legwork of applying, interviewing and co-ordinating. This is all part of the learning process too in my opinion, as it is pretty similar to what it’s like when you apply for a job outside of school. I’m a big fan of the FIT database of internships though, as it narrows down the field to companies looking to hire YOU!

What do you learn?
As you are required to spend 121 cumulative hours (this does vary depending on the exact internship class) on the “job site,” the actual class itself only meets 6 times over the semester as a touch base and career development opportunity. This means you spend about 10 hours a week (roughly a day and a half, but some people do more) at the office you intern in, and every third week or so you have the class.

In those 6 class meetings, you go over things like office etiquette, interviewing tips, resume workshops and sometimes have guest speakers. The instructor also has your back at your internship – if anything goes wrong, FIT can step in and help make things right. However this is rare and more insurance that you have a good experience than anything else.

Is it worth it?
Well, if your degree requires it, yes! And even if it doesn’t, taking the class can help you better determine what you are interested in while you are still in school, so after graduation you have a better picture of what you really want to do. Working for “free” can be tough sometimes, but it also forced me to try and get the most out of it possible. I asked lots of questions, did lots of snooping, and got a better idea of what actually happens in an office. Also, earning 3 credits while working was a fun change from instead sitting a classroom three hours a week for a semester.

Overall, the internship class at FIT was a good way to get my foot in the industry door, and gave me more confidence to search on my own. After interning my 4th semester (Sophomore year), I got an offer to intern at Guess in LA. I credit a lot of that to having the chance to add to my resume and improve my communication skills with the internship class. You never know what will lead to your next move!

Where do you want to intern?
Sam

Interviews, First Days & Events – What to Wear?

Hi everyone,

So you have a job interview, an event to dress up for, or even your first day at a new position! What to wear for these occasions can be just as stressful as actually going, so here are some tips for what to wear.

Fit the Brand/Event Energy
Going for an interview at LEVIs? Wear your jeans! Applying for retail? Dress the store style. Professional conference? Dress up. Even with more casual things like jeans, you can dress them up with black boots and a nice blouse. Do some research about the company or event so as to better dress the occasion. Sometimes if you can find photos from an event you can get a better idea of the dress code, or lack thereof.

Have Professional Pieces
There is really no one size fits all uniform, especially in fashion, but there are some things you have have in your closet that can make for a quick outfit for interviews that might pop up unexpectedly. I like having black boots, slacks, a blouse and a simple cardigan that I can grab for any weather, whenever. I would advise against buying something new for an interview, as you don’t know how it might fit and look. I have done this, and ended up fighting with a blouse for an entire event since I didn’t know how it would fit me.

Iron!
Or if you’re like me and hate to iron, try hanging the shirt in the bathroom while you shower. The heat will help release wrinkles. I’d advise against ordering a brand new shirt and waiting to take it out of the shipping plastic – those folding lines are hard to get out!

Be Comfortable.
While it’s great to put your best foot forward, if you aren’t used to wearing heels, it might not be the time to practice! Wearing flats or shoes with a heel you feel comfortable in can help when you might have first day jitters. You shouldn’t have to worry about tripping in brand new shoes. Also, stay true to yourself. Wear clothes that represent you in the best way possible.

Those are my tips for dressing for events, interviews and first-days! Remember that you feeling comfortable with the clothes you are wearing will make the biggest difference.

What do you wear to interviews? Comment below!
Sam

FIT Career Fair

Hi Everyone!

Career and Internships fair in full swing!

This week FIT had its biannual Career Fair, hosted by our Career and Internships Services!  This was my first time going but I was surprised by how many employers were there, and by the amount of students as well.  It was totally worth going to, and I wish I had printed more resume copies to take with!
I found that while booths like Micheal Kors and Saks 5th Avenue got long lines, it was a great chance to talk to companies that are more “behind the scenes” in the industry.  I enjoyed speaking to Haddad Brands, Centric and Li and Fung, all companies that produce products for major brands like Nike and LEVI’s.  The list of attending companies gets sent out ahead of time, so it is a great chance to look up companies you might not have heard of before.
FIT gives a great education, but opportunities like this are what makes attending here really worth it!  Getting to speak to HR recruiters for your field is a great chance to hear about opportunities and internships you might not have otherwise.
What companies would you like to meet at our career fair?
Sam

Production Management Club Guest Speaker

Hi Everyone!

One of the cool things FIT offers are our many clubs. Students can easily join a club, or even start their own! My major, Production Management, has its own club, and this past Thursday had a guest speaker. G-III is a massive and successful player in the apparel manufacturing field, and we were lucky enough to have one of their Vice Presidents of Sourcing and Production.

She shared with us her usual day to day responsibilities, and what a business trip typically looks like. Production Management can involve lots of travel, especially to Asia, and she walked us through the process of visiting up to three spread-out factories in a day! She also shared photos of the manufacturing facilities, and the sewers working on goods.

Another part I found helpful was her discussion of what can help propel an intern/student/new graduate. She emphasized the importance of taking things off your bosses plate, instead of adding to their work. Anything you can do to help those above and around you will help you work your way up in a business. As a student, hearing from someone so advanced in their career is incredibly invaluable, as one day I want to be like her! She was also generous enough to share her business card and email for if we had further questions.

Clubs at FIT are a great way to get involved, network, and meet great people. I would really encourage checking them out during your time at FIT!

Sam

Career Services Job Bank at FIT

Hi everyone!

Last week I blogged about working a part time job as a way to gain invaluable experience while an FIT student. While finding a job might be daunting, FIT offers a fantastic job bank where you can look for industry related jobs!

I find this really helpful as my major Production Management can sometimes be confused for event production or music or construction. The FIT job bank lets you sort by major, or other similar key words so you can find something similar to what you are interested in.

FIT students are in demand around NYC, especially for retail jobs and other part time work. We have a good reputation and it helps when it comes time to apply to jobs. A lot of the time, you’ll even be working with other FIT students at your job, and can meet people in other majors and departments at the school this way.

My experience with the career bank has been great – I found a part time job I spent a year working that I really enjoyed. It also was a great learning experience, as I got to work at a small business and see how their processes worked.

The career services are available to all FIT students, past and present. You’ll always have the FIT services backing you, wether you’re just starting out or a few years into your career.

Learn more at this link!

What are your career goals? Let me know!
Sam