This summer I embarked on my first internship in the fashion industry. For two months I lived in New York city and worked as a fashion intern in the heart of the garment district. I had no idea what being an intern in the fashion industry would be like. With only a few weeks left of my internship, here are a few of the truths about being a fashion intern!
The fashion industry is famous for being considered a glamorous world of gorgeous models, high-end couture gowns, and a Miranda Priestly to run it all. As a fashion intern I got a behind the scenes look at what the fashion world is really like and I am here to tell you that they are not entirely wrong. Now of course there is more to the fashion industry than just the glitz and glam. Just like an accounting firm, Fashion companies are first and foremost a business. There is a production team, human resources, accounts receivable and of course the fabulous design team. This internship has been one of the most glamorous experiences of my life but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have its’ gritty moments. As an intern you are staring at the bottom of the food chain. Most likely you will be given task that are not so glamorous, such as paperwork, labeling, deliveries etc…
The fashion industry is a fast paced, high demand, and cut-throat market and that means every task you are given needs to be done yesterday. This industry is full of impossible deadlines and complications. As a fashion intern my days have been full of back to back tasks with little breaks and days usually ending after 5. I’m not saying that a fashion internship is not worth the time you are required to put into it (because it most definitely is) but you need to be prepared to be working long and busy days. The truths about being a fashion intern are not so pretty.
We all want a paid internship. It would be the dream to be working for a company in the field we are studying, getting valuable experience, AND to be getting paid. However, we have to be realistic here. Due to the large number (and I mean LARGE number) of interns who want to work in the fashion industry, positions are very competitive and more times than not the internship will not be paid. There are a few acceptations to this tip but for the most part an internship will not be paid since if you won’t work for free they can easily find someone just as qualified who will. It might seem like kind of a rip-off to work for free (and it kind of is), but it is the price we have to pay to get unbelievable experience in the industry. The truths about being a fashion intern are that we are usually not paid a dime.
An intern is a intern, no matter what field. The kind of tasks you will be given will be tasks for someone with the qualifications of an intern. Every internship is different and each company has their own way of teaching their interns but you can’t expect to show up on day one and design a dress for Alexander Wang’s fall collection. Every internship is a learning experience and there is a chance that you will absolutely hate your internship but I can guarantee you will learn something of substance from your internship. Now that being said, take advantage of your internship. Ever chance you get try and learn as much as you can because at the end of the day your internship will look good on your resume but it’s the skills you have learned from your internship that will propel you in your career. This is yet another one of the truths about being a fashion intern!
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