All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[gian-franco]

Hey there is one internship, that i really want to get. it's short - just for one week, and the deadline is not over yet. I have already applied, and i didn't get any response, what do you think if I would send them one more letter? Normaly, one is enough, but in this case - I want that so badly, I don't understand why could they have rejected me and they might like someone who has a great interest in working for them. What do you think?

 

[ChristianThomas]

Hey there is one internship, that i really want to get. it's short - just for one week, and the deadline is not over yet. I have already applied, and i didn't get any response, what do you think if I would send them one more letter? Normaly, one is enough, but in this case - I want that so badly, I don't understand why could they have rejected me and they might like someone who has a great interest in working for them. What do you think?

Give them a call to follow up on your application. They will be able to tell you in what stage the application-process is. Either they're still in the midst of it or they didn't pick you as a candidate. If it's the latter, depending on the size and/or number of applicants, don't expect detailed feedback on why they didn't pick you, but you can always ask and accept whatever their response may be.

Good luck with it

 

[julesrules815]

Hi,guys, I have a question. I am working as an intern for the Gucci store in Toronto. They are all really nice people, but all I do is staying in the stock room or working with the sales. I think I did learn something from this unpaid job, but I am not sure how worthy is it since I do not want to be a sales? Would the fashion companies think this is a sound experience?

What do you want to do in the fashion industry? I think sales is good experience no matter what you want to do because it gives you firsthand insight into the customers' buying habits (what trends or items are popular/not popular). This is an important factor in most, if not all, areas of the industry.

 

[BetteT]

Hi,guys, I have a question. I am working as an intern for the Gucci store in Toronto. They are all really nice people, but all I do is staying in the stock room or working with the sales. I think I did learn something from this unpaid job, but I am not sure how worthy is it since I do not want to be a sales? Would the fashion companies think this is a sound experience?

If you are interning at a store ... then your internship is about retail stores. So ... it would be of interest to other high end stores, if you wanted to work in one of them, either in sales or in retail management, or even in buying, etc. But probably not so much to a fashion design atelier or a fashion magazine.

But ... any experience is better than none. And you can always say that being in the stock room and working on the sales floor has taught you about what the customer wants .... which does relate to companies that want to sell their designs. You can always put a spin on your experience ... because it all works together and designers must sell their designs or they won't stay in business. And fashion magazines need to know what the consumer wants, too.

 

[Rightguard]

Has anyone interned within a supply chain/logistics department or manufacturing within the fashion industry? I am interested in these sectors of the industry, but I don't really know where I should start pertaining to internships.

 

[BetteT]

I think guis might have ... not sure if I remember that correctly or not. I think it had something to do with textiles ... maybe only design, but I think it was more like manufacturing textiles or production of some sort. You should ask him about his experience.

 

[Rightguard]

^Thanks, currently, I am a business major at a school that does not have any fashion programs so I am trying to absorb as much information as I can

 

[cddicy]

Thank you very much, julesrules815 and BetteT. I am very interested in Buying, but I think my knowledge about the kinds of jobs that are offered in fashion industry is not very complete. I live in Canada, I am guessing even Toronto might not have a lot of opportunities...Just one more question, do i have to have a good writing skill to work for a fashion magazine? I love to write, but English is not my first language...

 

[BetteT]

Since this thread is about internships, not careers in magazines, I did a search (keywords: magazine, magazines, publishing, career, careers, searching thread titles only in the Careers forum, only) and found some threads where you might want to explore this further:

Careers / Jobs / Positions in Magazine Publishing
What Education is Needed to get into Magazines / Publishing?
How to Get Work in Fashion Magazine Publishing (see Post #1 for related threads)

If you want to write for a magazine, "journalism" would be what you are interested in ... but there are so many other jobs available in publishing, where you won't need to write much, if anything.

Don't forget, fashion is just a business, like any other. They also hire accountants, IP specialists, graphic artists, lawyers, marketing and publicity staff, receptionists, etc. ... just as any large company might. Here is a thread about all sorts of careers and jobs in fashion: Fashion Industry Careers

 

[*Bianca*]

Sorry, I'm sure it's already been mentioned in this thread before, but I'm planning on cold calling some companies to ask if they'd take me on for unpaid intern/work experience. I have not seen these companies advertise for interns before (in my country most don't), so I don't know if they even take people on.

Is it best to:

a) send them an email asking if there are any positions available while also including your resume
b) send them an email asking if there any positions, but wait until you get an answer before sending your resume
c) call first and ask about position availablity, then send an email with resume

Thanks

 

[EnVogueLove]

I am so sorry cause I didn't read the whole thread. Please, if you think that on my question was answered a million times feel free to tell me that so I will read the whole thread again, but it would really be nice if somebody could actually answer my question.

So I really want to work in fashion world. The first step that I did was my fashion blog and address of it was in Elle magazine last month so I think that this means that their liked my blog. Now I am thinking about next step....should I call some online fashion magazines and fashion magazines to ask if I could internship or work there or should I make my blog even better( I was thinking about my street style cause everybody loves that now) and wait till they notice me and ask me if I want to work for them.

Please, if somebody has the same experience share it with me

 

[BetteT]

Interning is mostly about getting credit for college ... and most companies require that to qualify as an intern. (Yes, it's in this thread numerous times.) So, I don't know if they would even consider you for an internship unless you are doing it for school. Blogging is most likely not their first qualification, although it could show that you re well rounded, beyond your education.

And so, this works right in with Bianca's question. Call and find out if the have an internship program and if they do, ask them if there is someone there who is in charge of it ... then ask that person for the requirements. They will probably be happy to advise you of their requirements and the process of how to apply and what to send.

 

[sidewalks]

I'm applying for an internship that requires an inspiration board. i know what that is, but i'm not exactly sure i understand the format. it asks for an inspiration board, 8.5 x 11 pdf of magazine tears. what exactly am i supposed to be doing? do i tear thing from magazines, scan them and make a pdf? or do i need to take pictures of my inspiration board, upload them and make a pdf?

sorry you guys, i'm just a little confused. this could be my first styling internship and i have no idea what to do.

 

[nothing2wear]

Hiya,

I start an internship next week in the product development/sample department. I am certainly interested in this department as it seems to incorporate many aspects of the fashion industry. I've read the other mentions of this role in the forum, but I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice as to what to expect from an internship in the field? What will they want me to do (clearly menial jobs as its an internship)? Will they want me to have any sewing skills, or do you think it will be mostly admin duties?

 

[soandsos]

While duties per internship varies, most of them are strictly admin duties like you asked. Do not expect to jump right into the work process with the rest of them, but toward the end of the internship you may expect them to ask you to do certain things to utilize what you have learned. Just don't be disappointed if you find out clerical duties are the only thing you end up doing remain excited! I hope it works out well for you.

 

[nothing2wear]

Thanks! No to be honest, I would feel more comfortable doing clerical duties at the moment as I have limited experience and skills. I really just want to absorb the day to day runnings of the office. I have another question for you glorious fashionistas:
I have an interview for a PR internship at Net-a-porter tomorrow. What can I do to impress them? Thanks guys!

 

[xbryony]

Interning is mostly about getting credit for college ... and most companies require that to qualify as an intern. (Yes, it's in this thread numerous times.) So, I don't know if they would even consider you for an internship unless you are doing it for school. Blogging is most likely not their first qualification, although it could show that you re well rounded, beyond your education.

Just noticed she's from Europe? I don't know about any other cities but in London it is not neccessary at all to get college credit as far as I have learnt. Most internships here (most, not all) require you to work full time 5 days a week, and a lot of the long term ones for bigger companies will pay min wage, if you get lucky. It's best to get a few unpaid 4 week placements though before you go for the long term internships as they don't just hand them out to anyone.
It doesn't work the same here as we don't get college credit, and therefore it's kind of pointless to the company if we can only go in for a few days a week. Again that is most companies in my experience, but not all. So don't worry too much about college credit if you're outside of the US, just call and ask, or e-mail them. Show how enthusiastic you are, what you can offer them and what you want to learn etc. and if they like you enough, they'll find a slot for you

 

[BetteT]

Thanks! No to be honest, I would feel more comfortable doing clerical duties at the moment as I have limited experience and skills. I really just want to absorb the day to day runnings of the office. I have another question for you glorious fashionistas:
I have an interview for a PR internship at Net-a-porter tomorrow. What can I do to impress them? Thanks guys!

PR ... that's a lot about writing, so be prepared to show that off. Have you been published anywhere? Bring a copy. You might not be called upon to write press releases, etc. ... but you never know. But you probably will be asked to email things and to ask for information, so if you can make the company look good in an email, it's a bonus. Also, make them understand that you are happy to do the grunt work ... just as you stated in your post. They will want someone who is reliable, is willing to pay their dues and who would be a pleasure to work with ... a good attitude.

Good luck!

 

[BetteT]

Just noticed she's from Europe? I don't know about any other cities but in London it is not neccessary at all to get college credit as far as I have learnt. Most internships here (most, not all) require you to work full time 5 days a week, and a lot of the long term ones for bigger companies will pay min wage, if you get lucky. It's best to get a few unpaid 4 week placements though before you go for the long term internships as they don't just hand them out to anyone.
It doesn't work the same here as we don't get college credit, and therefore it's kind of pointless to the company if we can only go in for a few days a week. Again that is most companies in my experience, but not all. So don't worry too much about college credit if you're outside of the US, just call and ask, or e-mail them. Show how enthusiastic you are, what you can offer them and what you want to learn etc. and if they like you enough, they'll find a slot for you

Good information to know. Thank you.

I find the differences between Europe and the US interesting, so i did some research and found a wealth of information just in Wikipedia.

source: Wikipedia

From the US section of the " Intern" entry, which explains why most employers require collge credit for applicants. The truth is if the intern is not doing it for school credit, they must pay them by law ... it's now a job.

Not all internships are paid. Nearly all interns working in the United States must be paid, and at least the minimum wage, for their work in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.[19]

A lot of internships that aren't paid have to do with getting class credit; if the internship is directly involved with a specific class the student is taking, many of the internships are unpaid. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division allows an employer not to pay an trainee if all of the following are true:[20]

1. The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational instruction;[20]
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainees;[20]
3. The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation;[20]
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees, and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded;[20]
5. The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period; and[20]
6. The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.[20]

There are some specifics at the bottom of the page about internships in various countries (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, UK & Austrailia and the U.S.) so if anyone is interested here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern

 

[nothing2wear]

Thanks Bette T, you always give the best advice! X