All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[rainbowrosa]

I'm 16 and had no problem finding work experience in the UK! I'm going to Mulberry in 2 weeks.

omg your so lucky! how did you get work experience? did you just like email them? and what did you say?

 

[Deleted member 49693]

As an intern, how do you address yourself on the telephone?

For example, I might have to make some cold calls to up-date the companies contact listing. How do I begin?

 

[g_synp]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know where to look for fashion buyer intern/work placement opportunities in London UK?

Many Thanks.

 

[ysljunkie]

You are welcome .... and I'd like to add that tFS is amazing! This, I believe, is the best comprehensive resource anywhere of all of the sites and forums ... so you have come to the right place.

um BetteT that's because you make it that way with all your help. *tear*

 

[editorpicks]

Factio Magazine does amazing internships where aspiring writers can get published in print, and/or web (www.factio-magazine.com) and www.runwaytoretail.com. They are quarterly and based in Chicago. Find the print magazine each quarter in the boxes near Michigan Ave., high-end hotels, boutiques, and at VIP events all over town. Sign up for their mailing list to get invited to private parties at www.factio-magazine.com (and the best part, it's free).

 

[briones122692]

How to get an internship in Paris

Could someone get an internship without being in college in Paris? What do you put on a resume if you're not going to college? Is getting internships more difficult than in NY? I just want general info about how to get an internship at some cool magazine like Purple. Thanks....

 

[jadorechanel]

If you are under 18 it is nearly impossible to get an internship at a fashion magazine - if you are 16 (like me) it is better to start small, build up your curriculum vitae so that people will be more open to the idea of hiring a young person. As for me, I have been on my schools newspaper staff since freshman year and have recently been promoted to news editor. In edition to that, I landed a job as a writer at Columbia Presbyterian and I got into a program at NYU for journalism this summer. One must always start small, this will enable one to dream big as time goes on. You will have the C.V. to prove yourself worthy.

 

[katherine]

It depends honestly, my friend got a fashion magazine internship when she was sixteen.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

You need contacts.

 

[Party.in.Paris]

Hello guys!
I just got in a fashion photography school, and i'll be able to do an internship this year, I'd like to go to NYC...
But it seems very hard to find a fashion photography internship there, does anyone can help me or give me some advices

 

[shirleebee]

Photography internships are elusive. You are better off trying to cold-call photographers and studios and asking if they are willing to take on free labor, haha.

My brother is studying to do photography as well, but since I work in fashion, I am able to hook him up with some contacts.

This book is also helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Assistant-Handbook-Matt-Proulx/dp/0240804139

 

[chanelnumber5]

Arghh I hate where I live. There is literally no fashion/remotely fashion related companies in my area, and I can't afford to go to London or a foreign city working for nothing, so my interning oppurtunities are looking non existant. I suppose I could aim for a summer 2010 internship and spend the money I have saved on my gap year on an appartment/living costs instead of uni fees (defeating the whole point of my gaqp year in the first place - to avoid getting a loan for tuition fees!)

Sorry this is more of a rant than anything constructive, but I am so frustrated right now

 

[briones122692]

Do you need to be in college to be able to intern at "underground" fashion mags (like Purple)? If not then what do you put on your resume or how do you go about getting it? Any help please....

 

[shirleebee]

If you already are connected, your college status suddenly becomes completely irrelevant. Seriously.

If you have writing clips, that might help you get noticed...

 

[shirleebee]

If you are under 18 it is nearly impossible to get an internship at a fashion magazine - if you are 16 (like me) it is better to start small, build up your curriculum vitae so that people will be more open to the idea of hiring a young person. As for me, I have been on my schools newspaper staff since freshman year and have recently been promoted to news editor. In edition to that, I landed a job as a writer at Columbia Presbyterian and I got into a program at NYU for journalism this summer. One must always start small, this will enable one to dream big as time goes on. You will have the C.V. to prove yourself worthy.

Most school-related feats become irrelevant once you have some industry experience. Even if you just interned at a design house, that would outweigh all the other things you listed ten to one. Just saying.

 

[jadorechanel]

^^ No, that's not true at all. Not if you want to become a writer or a journalist. Magazines are about writing and editing - if you have experience with either of those then at least it's something. You don't need to have had a job at Vogue in order to get a job anywhere else.

 

[shirleebee]

I know what you are saying. I'm countering that while all those school activities can help you get your FIRST internship somewhere (aka finding a way "in"), after that, the work experience of those internships will be what matters on your resume, no matter how much you personally value your school endeavors. Even if your first internship is NOT in fashion magazines, but for a designer, pr firm, etc. It's more about connections than anything you can do at school.

 

[homeboy]

I know what you are saying. I'm countering that while all those school activities can help you get your FIRST internship somewhere (aka finding a way "in"), after that, the work experience of those internships will be what matters on your resume, no matter how much you personally value your school endeavors. Even if your first internship is NOT in fashion magazines, but for a designer, pr firm, etc. It's more about connections than anything you can do at school.

Scoring an internship isn't all about what's on your CV. Contacts can be the easy route and hook you up with a position without you even opening your mouth. But in most scenarios in the professional world your accomplishments speak louder than any company or institution stated on your CV. Networking can be very deceive but you walk through life constantly counting on someone hooking you up, especially when you're near the top where you have to seel yourself.

Although School activities might be irrelevant when you've interned at one or two large companies, they don't account for nothing. Becoming an editor in chief is a path and related activity you engage in while at high school or university contributes to your skills and also makes you more secure about what you're doing.

 

[FashionMaganista]

As an intern, how do you address yourself on the telephone?

For example, I might have to make some cold calls to up-date the companies contact listing. How do I begin?

When I make cold calls it doesnt really matter whether or not you are an intern... when im calling magazines or clients it usually goes like this:

"Hi, this is _______ calling from _______. We're up dating our databases and I was wondering who is in charge of Accessories at ______?" (or whatever your trying to locate)

it usually doesnt matter if your an intern.. but of course if they ask what your position is then thats your que to tell them. but usually they are too busy to take note of who you are since they now most probly you are just an intern.

 

[FashionMaganista]

^^ No, that's not true at all. Not if you want to become a writer or a journalist. Magazines are about writing and editing - if you have experience with either of those then at least it's something. You don't need to have had a job at Vogue in order to get a job anywhere else.

what ive learned about the fashion mag industry ( and this is what i heard from a previous fashion editor at a conde nast publication) is that fashion mags are not about writing and editing... the people who do the copy is usually just a small group in comparison to the rest of the magazines... FYI: FASHION EDITORS DO NOT WRITE COPY in case any of you were wondering. they have copy writers for that.