I know i've spoken about it a lot in the past, but i've been seeing a lot more about fashion interning and how bad it is...so i thought i'd post another little something about it to just back it up :)
As I hurried around Oxford Street during the busy Christmas
period carrying 5 massive bags of returns, I didn’t feel fury like Anne
Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada. I didn’t feel exploited like the newspapers
blast every day. I felt elated, lucky that I was getting such an amazing
opportunity (and a little hungry as I passed Lola’s cupcakes).
I have been interning in fashion for a year, and I think
it’s time someone stood up for interning. Interning has got a bit of a bad name
as of late, with many horror-stories saying how interns have been made to mop
up their bosses sick…had items thrown at their head…and numerous other horrific
tales of woe. I sympathise, truly I do. But, I want to offer a realistic view
of interning.
Yes. It’s expensive. Yes. It’s tiring. Yes. Some jobs are a
little mundane. But, this is what Drake meant when he said ‘Started at the
Bottom now we here!’ Every fashion editor, assistant and stylist has been where
you are, packing up returns and making tea. You have to start somewhere (unless
you’re extremely lucky/ your parents own a magazine) and interning is the best
way to earn your stripes. The skills you learn are transferrable into any
career, and you gain a priceless insight into a notoriously hard industry to
crack.
My experiences have always been amazing. I’ve been on shoots
with celebrities, seen amazing clothes that I would never have been allowed
near if I wasn’t an intern, been in lifts with editors who I adore, and was
able to oh-so-pretentiously say ‘I’m just at Manolo Blahnik in Chelsea, I’ll be
over to David Bailey’s studio in an hour’. True story.
Work experience is becoming critical to have on any CV.
Having a degree is just not enough anymore, with employers wanting some real
world experience before they hire you. Unfair? Yes. However, this is the real
world, and that’s just what it’s like unfortunately. Interning during your
university / school holidays is such an amazing way to get ahead, and also gain
some contacts in the industry while you’re there.
Bad internships are out there. I’ve been in places where
I’ve been sat having nothing to do for over an hour, where no one gave me jobs
even when I asked. Instead of moaning about it, use your initiative, go and
tidy something up…search social media…or, if all else fails, do your Uni work
on the sly (I finished a whole project once). They’re blessings in disguise,
either showing you that this career path isn’t for you, or pushing you to do
your best in a bad situation.
I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t judge a book by its
cover. Fashion is not The Devil Wears Prada, and interns are not spat at.
They’re often valued, and treated when cake comes to the office, which is
often. If that’s not an incentive to get an internship then I don’t know what
is.
This has really given me hope about finding an internship in the future haha. I'm just finishing my first year at uni and I run my own (albeit mediocre, but i'm trying) fashion blog. I found you on company magazine - you're so lucky to be featured there I'm so jealous! xx
ReplyDeleteFound this through Company magazine and adore it! I completely agree! The bad ones help too, they make your skin thicker!
ReplyDeleteLouise xx
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