All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[gia0202]

i am wondering if I should try to go back to a big-name pr agency i interned for this summer, or if i should move onto a smaller firm that will offer me more hands on experience. Should I thknk about moving in house, or gettinga magazine internship to bolsyter my resume?

 

[so_jealous]

I really want to do internship in NY too for next summer but I have no fashion-related experiences except for a summer course at Parsons. Would places (ie - magazines and designers) even bother? I'm in fashion for university if that counts and Keep in mind I'm Canadian.

Also, tips for cover letters. I know it's competitive.

 

[pinksatin]

I don't think you need to worry. I mean, I'm looking for a summer internship too so I'm probably not the best one to give a response but I think the purpose of interning is to gain field experience so you can get the job later.

Also my friend just graduated from Tulane last spring and he studied something like international affairs and poli sci? Anyway he had a PR internship for Yigal Azrouel this summer but I think he's gonna quit after fashion week. He also lives in NY so maybe that helps?

I don't live there though and I'm still hoping to find something. Good luck to both of us!

And ditto on the tips thing. Any tips or comments or anecdotes are much appreciated.

 

[so_jealous]

^living in NY totally helps! it's unbelieveable. I started talking to this girl at bloomingdales one day while my friend casually bought a chloe bag for school and she gave me her name and e-mail. she was going to hook me up with an internship at jane or give my name to some guy at teen vogue. but it was mid-may. too late for summer interns.

big bummer! i'm shooting for march or april. i have contacts in ny so i hope it'll be okay.

 

[Cicciolina]

Jane's closed now!

Hmmm I was lamenting in another thread about not living in NY (I'm in Australia, which is infinitely further than Canada!) but I wrote some letters to some companies where I live and have received some positive responses regarding work experience placements so you can still make the most out of where you live! Maybe after building some experience in Canada then you can start looking into working in NY? Just speculating, not 100% sure as I'm just a student as well

 

[pinksatin]

OK, so I just met with my advisor. So depressed. They only give credit for internships to seniors in my program (visual communication) and only for certain design agencies (which would be local to Indianapolis I'm assuming). So frustrating! Most of the postings for fashion interns I've seen say "must receive college credit". I wonder if they would let someone intern even if their school isn't giving them credit... I mean I know that it's all unpaid still. And fashion is an industry where you really need to intern if you want to compete for jobs later, like on-the-job education is important. I'm in art school (there is no fashion program close to me) so they don't understand that having an internship on my CV for some name in fashion (even if I was just a starbucks slave) is going to make more of a difference than doing graphic design in Indianapolis. I think? Anyway part of it is I just love NY too and want to spend summers there since I have to stay here (Indy) for school during the year. Being productive though, not just some summer vacation. Maybe I'll just take summer classes at FIT or Parsons... Does anyone have any suggestions?

Ugh, I'm just really bummed but I'm not giving up on this whole thing. I think it's very important and I'll find a way... I came to the appointment so prepared with info and questions and knew what I wanted from her and she basically had no info for me and no way to help. She was nice but I just feel llike a bunch of doors were slammed in my face.

 

[BetteT]

Your location is probably holding you back.

The best internships are in NY and probably they will want you to be living there and attending a NY school that they have a relationship with in most cases ... just a fact of life. It's pretty much the same for getting any fashion job at a good company ... they are mostly all in NY ... with a very small smattering around a few other cities in the US ... L.A., Chicago, maybe Miami, Dallas, Atlanta. NY is the hub of U.S. fashion ... so the most schools and the most internships are there ... but also ... so are the most students competing for them.

But don't give up the ship ... you may find your way if you keep researching.

 

[Ceptuouse]

i want a NYC internship next summer...i need to start thinking about it soon...

 

[pinksatin]

You know... I was looking back over postings that are up now for Fall people and some of them don't mention anything about receiving credit. Few say in caps "MUST RECIEVE COLLEGE CREDIT". And others say "UNPAID - for school credit only". I wonder if the latter actually care if you're getting credit or not as long as you know you aren't getting money. I think I shouldn't look at it as a closed door. As long as you work hard and do want they want I don't see why they should care. Isn't it just unpaid work for them in exchange for experience for me? Does anyone know if there's any reason why some places emphasize credit and others don't mention it? Is it a legal thing or what? Just wondering since my school won't give me credit since this isn't required for my major (but is essential for working in fashion after grad).

oh, and sorry for posting so much on this topic. I'm a little frustrated and panicky and stressing about it. Even though there's still time it just isn't looking good for me so far.

 

[kissmesweet]

don't bother signing up to this website... useles and they send LOTS of junk mail....

Thanks, ava_k! And I was this close to signing!

i want a NYC internship next summer...i need to start thinking about it soon...

Haha me too, in 2 years time. I definitely want to start off work experience with an exciting fashion internship in NYC...

 

[so_jealous]

Maybe I'll just take summer classes at FIT or Parsons...

That's exactly what I did this summer. Really good month. unbelieveable in fact but if you do take the course it's already too late for internships. The first session is late may to end of june. I really hope that course on my resume helps a little though.

About the for credits only - totally applies for me too. I get a partnership with a local business at the end of my final year so I probably won't be able to get credits either. not to mention canadian school credits doesn't translate from american.

Also, my spring break isn't at the end of march just like everyother collage student but in mid- feb. is this too early?

 

[Hennai]

Working for H&M or Diesel?

Hi everybody,

I am a fashion student and I have to think about where I would like to do my internship. I was thinking about H&M or Diesel, but I am not sure yet.

I was wondering if anybody has experience in working (or doing an internship) for one of these companies? Can you maybe tell me about your experiences: what kind of atmosphere is there, do you get much (innovative/creative) freedom, are they friendly, is it competitive? I would be very happy if anyone could tell me more!! Thank you very much in advance!!

 

[ApertureRomance]

I haven't interned with either of them buy my choice would probably be Diesel because of Maurizio Marchiori.


Hope someone is able to help you. Where are you based ?

 

[Hennai]

Thank you for replying! I am from the Netherlands; I study in Amsterdam! I hope somebody else can tell me about his/her experiences!

 

[softgrey]

are you thinking of relocating...?
isn't deisel based in italy and h&m in sweden?

 

[valerique]

I would suggest Diesel. I might not be correct here, but I think H&M is too close to your "daily encounters" with fashion, while Diesel might be different and more exciting for you. I have a friend who has been in the Milan office of Diesel and he said the atmosphere was very relaxed, people were friendly and funky dressed

 

[ApertureRomance]

Yeah I agree H&M is everywhere , but I think Diesel have always got interesting things going on with their adverts and their 55DSL line has some sort of internet project http://jlb.55dsl.com/ .

 

[Hennai]

Thanks everybody for your replies!!

I think you are right that Diesel is more interesting maybe. I also like their creative projects and they are not afraid to try new things.

Softgrey, I study international fashion management, so I can do my internship in every country I want (if I can find an internship). So I would like to go abroad!

 

[Dulcisima]

I agree with all of the above, defintely diesel! Diesel is sought as high class denim and its been in the market for ages, i am sure u would benefit from them...
Where are u studying?

 

[Hennai]

Dulcisima, I am studying at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute!