Based on my experience, here are my tips for finding your dream NYC fashion internship and getting the most out of it:
1. Read my blog and any other fashion or college internship blogs you can find! Please do not hesitate to email me or add to this blog with ideas and tips as to what has helped you or where you have run into problems.
2. Start early—At least six months before you want to start an internship and do your homework to figure out exactly what type of internship you would ideally want.
3. Read every fashion magazine that you can get hold of with an eye towards finding the new designer who really speaks to you. Keep your eye out for the start-ups and the lesser known companies since they may give you more of an opportunity.
4. Attend a session in New York City if your college sponsors one. I attended an NYC trip with my school where current AU students met with various companies and graduates of the school who now work in the city. While they may not be in the field of fashion, they will give you ideas of what worked for them and… you never know, they may have a friend who is in the industry!
5. Find contact information and send out your resume and cover letter. Go above and beyond by researching the company and including some of its values in your letter. Absolutely NO spelling or grammar mistakes!! Let them know that you are very attracted to their company and why you think you would be a good fit with them.
6. FOLLOW UP!! Reiterate your excitement in the company and they won’t overlook you.
7. If you can, visit New York City in person so you can meet the people at the company that you are interested in and so they can meet you. Interview with more than one company; you do not want to be left hanging with no secondary options.
8. Be flexible with your job description as an intern, when you can start, and have a plan for saving up money for living expenses.
9. During the internship, learn as much as you can. Ask everyone about what they are doing. Imagine what life would be like if you worked full time at the company…could you see yourself there or in the fashion field in the long run? Remember, this is the key purpose of an internship.
10. Meet with your advisors and your school’s Career Center to work out the credit situation for either a credit or non-credit internship.
11. Network, network, network – Find out if anyone at your school has done a fashion internship in the city and if so get in contact with them. I will be letting the American University Career Center know about my experience and that they should give my name out to anyone who might be interested. If you can, e-mail the other interns to learn their interests and to see if it makes sense to travel or live together in the city. Make sure to stay in touch with them after the internship as well since you may be able to help each other find job opportunities.
12. Make sure you get to enjoy the non-work pleasures of New York City since it has so much to offer. Remember you may be living there on a more permanent basis later on, so you should see if the lifestyle fits you. Plus the sample sales aren’t anything to complain about!!
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