All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[C_24]

^I see you`re from Germany, so the school system is different from the one in th US.

I would totally advise to get an internship for a couple of weeks in summer. 6 weeks during summer break are totally sufficient to catch a glimpse of what you would do in a certain field and to meet a whole lot of people who can tell their own vision of what they`re doing and why they like or dislike it.

Plus, European companies are way more open to accept interns who don`t do it for school credit.

 

[BetteT]

This is probably an awkward, maybe inappropriate question, but I just got an offer for an internship(not in the fashion industry) and feel like the payment offer is way below what interns get paid especially in NYC. Was just wondering what the average per hour wage is for most interns in NYC? would really appreciate it. thanks!

I beleive that most interns work for no pay at all other than school credit. Only occassionally do I ever see anyone offered an hourly ... so I would say that you are lucky with anything. Unless you are actually talking about a real job?

 

[young_princess]

no I'm not talking about a real job, just an internship. But I'm not in the fashion industry and in my field, almost all internships are paid. At a very good per hour rate. I could stay where I am and easily get paid $20/hr but I really wanna move to NYC. So I guess I kinda have no choice but to take it

 

[BetteT]

Hmmm .... We didn't pay our interns in banking either (I used to be a bank manager) ... so I guess I just don't know about your field. Sorry. I'm guessing that you probably won't get a good answer here, since this thread is really about fashion internships.

 

[young_princess]

oh really? I'm in accounting to be exact. oh well, I guess that's better than no money at all

 

[Cicciolina]

I'm not sure for the USA (I'm assuming for the USA) but I know in Australia in the accounting/finance field you definitely get paid! The pay from what I hear is quite good as well, AU$20 per hour or so, or on a salary basis. There are certain exceptions however. Some other places like in Asia or perhaps smaller companies will pay for expenses only (say $40 per day for food and travel) which is what I did (accounting and investor relations). Fashion however as I'm sure most of you have gathered often does pay, due to the sheer number of people who are willing to do it. Could you work out something with your parents, perhaps they can match you dollar for dollar or informally loan some money from them? I'm sure if you explain your thought process they will be stoked to see you wanting to learn how to be financially independent.

 

[young_princess]

yah I know for a fact that accounting interns get paid pretty well. I knew one guy from Boston got paid $15/hr so I thought I'd at least get paid $20 in NYC coz of the higher standard of living and all. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind paying the rent and all, but it's really more guilt in my part tuition fee here is already so expensive that it tortures me to think of making them spend more, especially when I can easily get one where I'm from. But I really3 wanna move to NYC

 

[Fabulyss]

My problem is...

It is my last quarter at Depaul University in Chicago (I am majoring in Graphic Design) and I feel immense pressure to find an internship (ANYTHING fashion related) before I graduate. I feel as if I've been searching forever...

I've e-mailed inquiries to local fashion editors, assistant fashion editors, modeling agencies, local stylists & even non-local stylists (just in case they're in town). I've only had 2 responses, both essentially negative. I don't know what it is I'm doing wrong? Perhaps because my e-mails were just a brief introduction and inquiry w/ out a cover letter - I don't know??

I don't have contacts, experience, or the money to be able to relocate to some exorbitantly expensive city just to intern. Despite my confidence in my own skills/abilities/knowledge, I feel stuck and worry that I will never find an internship as I've already e-mailed everyone I possibly could. I've heard of people just knocking on doors at offices and getting the job for their boldness...should I be more aggressive??

Any advice??

 

[jiji7]

do fashion editorial interns do a lot of coffee runs?

silly question...i know

 

[ChanelFire]

^No it's not a silly question I am starting an internship soon and I was thinking that as well.
Oh by the way are you getting excited about starting your internship on the Tuesday?

 

[Cicciolina]

jiji7 it depends on the work place. I'll just say it's not outside the job description

 

[C_24]

Fabulyss, aggression up to the point at which you cross the borders of decency might help you a little further! Trust me, those editors may be getting a bunch of editors every month so you have to make an impression!

jiji7, I agree with Cicciolina. I was never asked to make a coffee runs in my entire internship with a big German publication (Vogue-competitor) and instead could go to press days, was asked to help with stylings etc.

 

[Cicciolina]

...I've only had 2 responses, both essentially negative. I don't know what it is I'm doing wrong? Perhaps because my e-mails were just a brief introduction and inquiry w/ out a cover letter - I don't know??

I don't have contacts, experience, or the money to be able to relocate to some exorbitantly expensive city just to intern. Despite my confidence in my own skills/abilities/knowledge, I feel stuck and worry that I will never find an internship as I've already e-mailed everyone I possibly could. I've heard of people just knocking on doors at offices and getting the job for their boldness...should I be more aggressive??

Any advice??

What is your email like? I think maybe most people when they see a short little asking for experience, it's very easy to say no and delete it. Whereas if you've written a brief cover letter and attached a small file containing your resume, they might read it and reconsider their initial position. In the cover letter you should say why they should be hiring you and how you're going to be an asset to them. Even if you haven't had any past experience think of what else that you've done that could be relevant to where you're inquiring at, whether it be a part time non-fashion related job or extra-curricular activities.
Good luck!

 

[Cicciolina]

yah I know for a fact that accounting interns get paid pretty well. I knew one guy from Boston got paid $15/hr so I thought I'd at least get paid $20 in NYC coz of the higher standard of living and all. I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind paying the rent and all, but it's really more guilt in my part tuition fee here is already so expensive that it tortures me to think of making them spend more, especially when I can easily get one where I'm from. But I really3 wanna move to NYC

What sort of firm is it? If it's a top tier - well, I'm not sure why they would be paying that low. Or is it mid tier/boutique/etc? Do they specialise in any industry in particular? etc. Perhaps it's not worthwhile to pursue this internship then if you're not being paid much (and everyone else is) unless the company is really stellar and it's going to be a great experience for you, regardless of whether you're in New York or not.

 

[luna1576]

I don't really know where to post this question and it might be a little bit stupid but what sort of work/school experience would one need to work as a receptionist for a magazine?

 

[StellaMare]

I'm going to start applying for fashion magazine internships soon, but I am unsure of whether to apply with the editorial department or the fashion department.
While my main interest is fashion writing, I want to learn as much as possible about the different aspects of a magazine. I want to learn about the editorial department AND the fashion department.. Would this be at all possible?

 

[ysljunkie]

If your writing is strong I'd do the fashion writing but if not maybe you should do editorial. Both are highly sought after but if your really good at writing then it may make it easier to land a internship.

 

[StellaMare]

ysljunkie: The problem is that I would like to write, but I would also like to help out in the fashion department and learn about the shoots.. I'm not sure what exactly one does in the editorial department?
My writing is good and I've been published before, so I assume it'd be easier to apply to the editorial? and I guess that would be the best since I want to ultimately work as a fashion writer full time.

 

[ysljunkie]

The editorial dep. might be easier to get into but it all depends on the magazine.
Here's something on ed assistant-so as an intern Im sure you'll do this on a smaller scale onlong with the fashion shoots

By far the most important job on staff (!). The EA is the entry-level position on the editorial side of the magazine, often filled by a recent college graduate. S/he usually reports to one or more senior-level editors. Some EAs only do administrative duties (opening mail, answering phones, copying stories, replying to reader mail), but many have (or can earn) writing and editing responsibilities. The next step after EA is Assistant Editor.

ed2010.com

 

[Cicciolina]

I don't really know where to post this question and it might be a little bit stupid but what sort of work/school experience would one need to work as a receptionist for a magazine?

The same sort of experience I would think to apply as a receptionist for any sort of company. Good phone manner, organised, etc etc. I don't think it'll too much different just because it's at a magazine