Tag Archives: Intern

Intern Series: Getting an Internship in Fashion

Hey everyone!

During my time at FIT I have had the pleasure of interning for several great companies!  A lot of people coming to FIT have questions about how the whole process works, so I thought I would write some blog posts on how FIT can help you start your career while you are still in college.

When Should You Start Interning?
I would recommend completing at least one semester of college before applying. This gives you experience in your chosen major before you jump into a company. While internships are a learning experience, they are better for learning about industry and office applications of your education, not to learn the nuts and bolts of your field. FIT students start in their major-related classes from day one, which gives them a head start to learn as many of the basics before they begin interning!

Looking for an Internship
I have gotten internships all sorts of ways, from cold-calling companies by emailing a copy of my resume, to the FIT Career and Internship Database, to LinkedIn, to a referral from a friend. Keep an open mind, your first internship will likely be a smaller company and not a big brand name! This gives you the chance to refine your internship chops before growing into a bigger company. Also, smaller companies give you a wider range of tasks, which can help you decide what area your might like most.

The Application Process
When it comes time to apply, put your best foot forward! Fill out the application as wholly and truthfully as you can, and make sure to proofread everything. Use your school email, and make sure to check it frequently. If you get a message from a company, you want to reply as soon as possible!

The Waiting Game
When you apply, it’s likely you won’t hear anything back right away, or ever. Don’t take it personally! Companies get many many applications for each position, and they have to sift through everything. You might have a sparkling resume, but they might be looking for someone who is focused on a different area. I personally have applied for more internships than I can count, and only a few have panned out.

The Interview
Relax, and put your best foot forward by being on time, dressed appropriately, with a few questions ready to go. Sometimes all the questions you have will be answered during the interview, but if they ask if you have any, enquire about the interviewer- why do they like working for the company? What do they enjoy about their job? Interviews are just as much an analysis of you as a potential employee as it is a chance for you to assess whether or not this is a place where you are willing to spend 10-20 hours a week.

Afterwards
Send a quick thank you note (I usually just sent an email expressing gratitude that they took time out of their day to speak with me) and hang tight. The internship application process generally has a lot of waiting time. People are busy, and while it might seem like they forgot about you, they might also be speaking to other candidates as well or have a big deadline approaching. If it has been over three weeks, consider following up with a polite inquiry if they have chosen a candidate yet. Even if you do go through several rounds of interviews, there is no guarantee they will let you know if you did not get the internship. The important thing to remember that for every job interview you go on, you get better at being interviewed and more confident.

Overall, persistence in applying for internships, patience with the review and interview process, and peace with the results will get you far. Like I said, I didn’t apply for four internships and get all four. Along the way there were many many failed interviews and ignored applications. Never take it personally!

Best,

Sam

Interning in NYC: Michele Marie PR

Connections are truly what everyone says they are… the best thing to have! Building a strong network of people in your community, class, major, etc. can lead you to opened doors you would have never thought of having. As a Baker Scholar, I received the greatest opportunity at a time I was in need… an internship!

Michele Marie PR is a full-service public relations agency specializing in editorial, celebrity and event driven press in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries. The agency focuses on developing and executing strategically targeted press campaigns to brand clients as leaders in their own particular sect. The founders are energetic, fresh, and accessible with bi-coastal experience in a wide array of product lines. The clients include young design talent, established premium designers, and innovators in the world of fashion, beauty, and accessories. They have a proven track record of combining editorial press, celebrity dressing, promotions, and events to assist in developing successful household-name brands. The team collaborates with each client to pitch concepts and materials to maximize on potential brand awareness and excitement. Commitment to the highest quality shines through in all services. Michele Marie PR has two offices located in west Los Angeles and New York City. Situated in a spacious, wood-floored, loft-style spaces, the offices are prime showroom locations where stylists, editors and celebrities experience the clients’ products on a daily basis.

How do you get credit for an internship? Where can I get an internship? DO I NEED AN INTERNSHIP? – all of the questions you may have can be answered by the Career and Internship Center. I am currently doing this internship credited and they experience is worth the internship class you have to take!

Never close opened doors, being at Michele Marie PR and speaking with the co-founders of the agency themselves has landed me a summer internship at the LA office!

The Career and Internship Center at FIT

Did you know that FIT has a leading career and internship center with a team of experienced counselors, knowledgeable and friendly support staff that offer a range of services that help students and alumni succeed in the industry, match students and graduates with jobs and internships that suit their interests, abilities, and goals, and bring employers together with prospective employees?

According to the CIC, as a student of the Fashion Institute of Technology, you have access to the center that will ultimately open doors for you in the industry. Counselors have expertise in industry and the rapidly changing job market not only help in finding the right job or internship, they provide career-planning skills needed throughout life. Whether it’s a first job, professional advancement, or a new career direction.

Students have many options using the CIC, including, but not limited to:

And as Alumni:

As the end of my second semester at FIT approaches, I’m getting ready to dive into an internship search that will hopefully lead to a career with the help of the CIC! The CIC also e-mails students of on-campus interviews that many companies will do!

Be sure to contact the CIC for any detailed information, take control of your future success!

Business and Liberal Arts Center, B202
212 217.3000
212 217.3001 (fax)
[email protected]

Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm*

* Hours are subject to change during summer and winter breaks. FIT is closed during holidays. See Academic Calendar for dates when the college will be closed.

Welcome to the Jungle: AMC Career Expo 2014

FIT has always had a wonderful reputation of providing its students with one-of-a-kind learning experiences outside of 27th street. Every week on campus, there is another opportunity offered to students. Everyone at FIT, from professors to students, are so connected within their respected industries. Through those connections, internships and even entry level jobs are often easier to find than you may think! However, it does take a nice resume and a good head on your shoulders to nail it down 😉

To make it even better, FIT’s Special Events class puts on an annual Advertising & Marketing Career Expo, which is a fancier way of saying Job Fair. About 60 New York based companies gathered in the John E. Reeves Great Hall Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm in hopes to gain some new interns and even employees! Ranging from corporate fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan to smaller boutique agencies like 24/7 Laundry Service, there is bound to be a company that interests you.

This years AMC Career Expo flyer!

This years AMC Career Expo flyer!

Students are able to walk around to different company tables and introduce themselves and start a conversation with these representatives. This was my first year to take advantage of this amazing opportunity that is offered to all AMC students.  Dressed to impress, I entered the Great Hall with a stomach full of butterflies. I didn’t know what to expect, or what companies I was hoping to talk to. It can be overwhelming walking into the hustle and bustle of a job fair and immediately begin networking yourself. But I must admit, this was such good practice for me. I am a good conversationalist…once a conversation has begun. Sometimes I get nervous to be the one initiating the conversation, especially with professionals. However, this experience definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best ways possible. I walked up to the table, introduced myself – and it only got easier and better from there!

I brought a few copies of my resume, ready to pass them out! All in all, I gave all of my resumes to different companies and had some great conversations with potential employers. They were all very curious about my past interning experiences, which I was happy to tell them about. In return, I asked a lot of questions about their companies and positions within their companies. Asking questions is important. It doesn’t make you look “dumb,” actually the exact opposite. It shows that you’re interested and want to learn more!

I walked away with 5 business cards, and potential internships for Spring 2015! The first thing I did when I got home was to type a follow-up email to the company contacts I was interested in pursuing. Within the email, I thanked them for their time and how I enjoyed chatting with them. I reiterated how I was interested in a possible internship and attached another copy of resume, just to be safe! The next morning, I had 2 emails from the top 2 companies I wanted to intern for! In both, they mentioned how it was so nice to receive a follow up email promptly. ALWAYS, send a follow up. The best follow up is a Thank You note, however email was the appropriate option for this situation.

I am so happy and grateful that I went to the Career Expo. It’s a great networking event for students who may not have much experience in the industry already, or who are looking to gain more experience. This is something that is so special and unique to FIT. If you didn’t take advantage of this event this year, be sure to keep your eyes out for next years flyer! You don’t want to miss this!!

xx,

Brendan