All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[BetteT]

I see we've gone off topic from internships to paid jobs.

So ... I'm going to move a bunch of these posts and start a new thread about starting pay in the fashion industry. Please post your comments about this over there.

 

[pinksatin]

So I am leaving Friday to move to NY for the summer and my plan as of now is to start the U.C.o.B. internship Monday which is the only position I landed. But, a lot of interesting and more prestigious looking (IMO) positions are popping up in listings (yohji, I applied again, and peter som), so I keep applying. Also shirleebee helped with some contacts at ZP but so far nothing came of it.

My question is, is it ok to keep applying and trying for something better and if I get one of them to quit at benetton? I mean, logically I think it should be ok since I don't have any contract or get paid so I really can leave whenever i want right? I just would have a guilty conscience. It's ok to keep looking right? even after I start there? I just need reassurance or another perspective on that. I don't want bad karma, but I want to keep trying for a better position.

And honestly it's not that I think benetton is bad or anything, it's just a visual merch internship which I already have experience with so I'd like to try something different to broaden my experiences. But I will take it for now b/c something is better than nothing.

 

[young_princess]

I'm going to NY for a summer internship too! We should meet up

 

[knightley]

Be careful with popping off on internships. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth of your employer if you agreed to three months and skip off for another internship. Especially if they made it clear they are relying on you. Remember everyone in this industry talks and chatter of your progress will be expected. Excellent experience cannot make up for one employer telling another 'she left us for another internship and left us high and dry when we were counting on her.' I'd firmly suggest you tell Bennetton visual merch isn't what you want to do and you're looking for other positions because skipping out on your internship is a bad, bad idea.

 

[pinksatin]

Er.... yeah, good point about the "small world and everyone talks to everyone" thing. Not that I'm important enough to talk about but just incase. Yeah, that's why I was asking b/c on one hand, I know regular business people (like my dad and friends already in the workforce) are constantly sending their resumes out looking for better positions and this isn't paid and I don't have a contract so with those things in mind I thought it would be ok to look for something better that would give me better experience in the long run.

But then like I said, I don't want bad karma from quitting early if something better does come up. And I would feel bad just b/c I'm nice and I don't like to go back on my word if I said I'd do something.

So maybe, if something does come up, do you suggest I tell them I found something already and gave my word but I will definitely be interested in working for [xxx] next summer?

And I guess even though visual merch isn't exactly what I want to do, it is still more fashion related experience under my belt.

 

[knightley]

Internships, while unpaid, are meant to be a point for you to get experience. Very typically, if you excel, the company will want to invest more and bring you on in an entry-level capacity. Sometimes a three month internship turns into a one month evaluation for a job depending on your progress! The more experience you have; however, the more likely you are to get the internship you do want.

If something comes up that is worth killing a small child for, take it. I mean, if you want to do PR and you get it for a company you really believe in: take it, but discuss with Benetton the best way to leave. Let them know at that point you found a PR/marketing/design/buying internship, which is more what you wanted to do and while they've been great, you'd like to take it. Inform them that in your days off from the other company you'll be happy to still work for them or train your replacement. That should help! And hopefully I have been a help!

 

[Deleted member 49693]

IF IMG World accept me, I will tell the other company who already accepted me that I'm having visa problems which is the truth and why I'm looking at another company and IMG World popped into my head.

It is very hard in Hong Kong to get a work visa and IMG World have an office in my hometown wheras the other company doesn't.

Anyone know anything about IMG World event management?

 

[blue.]

i got an email back from women/supreme saying they want an interview! eeeeeeeee i am so excited! the intern is for model/fashion photography, is there any advice on what i should take with me?

 

[omgitschristine]

For those of you who said you got internships in NYC for the summer...are you from NY? If not, where are you staying while you are interning.

It would be cool to get an internship in NYC, but I'm from Chicago.

 

[pinksatin]

And hopefully I have been a help!

Yes you have. thanks so much and karma. Now I see it isn't b&w but the thing is to stay on unless it's an opportunity that could really be immensely beneficial in a huge way and in such a case, be honest about it and explain to the current employer why I feel as such. But really I have no other offers as of yet so I don't actually need to worry about it and I'm happy I at least have something. I guess I overanalyze situations before they happen.

 

[pinksatin]

For those of you who said you got internships in NYC for the summer...are you from NY? If not, where are you staying while you are interning.

It would be cool to get an internship in NYC, but I'm from Chicago.

That has been equally as stressful as finding the internship - finding the housing. I am from Indianapolis and can't afford to make a trip just to look at places so I know the feeling.

I applied and got on the waiting list at the Brandon Residence, did this months ago but you can stay there as long as you want and no one was checking out in time for me to move in so I started looking at craigslist. But my parents thought I'd get scammed or something so I luckily found that a friend of mine will rent a small room in his apt to me. Not a BR but it will do. And it's much cheaper and I know him so I got lucky.

There is a place called the Webster that I called last August 07 for this coming summer and they were already booked back then. SO you might want to call them now for summer 09.

I also found a site called nycintern.org that offers an option but they are booked for this year of course.

You can also go to sites that book housing or sublets through an agency which is a little more expensive but maybe safer since it's a legit business and not just some shmoe on craigslist. Not that craigslist is bad as a rule but you just never know what you're actually getting into unless you can visit in person.

And personally at first the idea of a dormitory-style residence totally turned me off, but it's just simpler if you apply in time and you can't actually go to the city just to look at apts.

 

[knightley]

If it is for Women, you'll work for Women. If it is for Supreme, you'll work for Supreme. Their interns are not cross-building. Just as a heads up. I believe that position you are interviewing for is with James in the art department, blue. and it'll be with Women only.

Sorry, I get kind of anal when people call it Women/Supreme.

 

[knightley]

IMG world event won't send you to China, most likely Eurofashion. I thought you had wanted to go there?

 

[Deleted member 49693]

Yup in Hong Kong at the moment and found the hong kong office. So IMG World don't have internships here?

 

[knightley]

No they do, but from my experience IMG World interns are placed in their mother country - ie where the applicant is from. I haven't heard of many (read that as any) interns who are from England or America and were sent overseas for their internship, even if that's what they applied for. Good luck, though! Unless, are you from China? I can't remember!

 

[UGotMayle]

I tried to find an email for Levis and Cant...

 

[knightley]

Mayle, let me see what I can do for you, okay?

 

[BetteT]

For those of you who said you got internships in NYC for the summer...are you from NY? If not, where are you staying while you are interning.

It would be cool to get an internship in NYC, but I'm from Chicago.

There is a thread about this ... I think it's called "Relocating? About housing, rentals, roomates. " or something like that. That is where you can ask your question and there are already all sorts of resources in the thread.

It's here in Careers and Education .. a quick advanced search using one or more of those words, search thread titles only and ask for results as threads and and it should pop right up for you. It's probably no more than 1 page back ... maybe 2.

 

[static]

Has anyone here interned with W before or know someone who has? I'm tempted to apply but it seems a little intense compared to my current internship at a showroom...

 

[pinksatin]

^ I haven't but I know someone who has. I think she started in the closet and as an accessories intern. She has also had the job of doing the hiring for such interns b/c after her internship I think she ended up working there for a while. But she went back to school she's so not there anymore. I just know it sounds really cool and that's totally the kind of job I'd love. Also she had VERY late hours. Like until 10 pm wouldn't be uncommon in a busy time.