By Calynn M. Lawrence
@fairytalefacesbycalynn

Many people have a certain idea of what it’s like to be a fashion intern based on the media. However, most of the time that information is dramatized for entertainment. A friend and I, who was also a fellow fashion intern, were discussing this the other day. So, If you would like to know what it’s really like to be a fashion intern then continue reading. We promise it’s not as scary as you may think.

THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN YOU THINK

The media makes it seem to be that fashion internships are far and few, which is not true at all! Well, maybe depending on where you live. As someone from a major city, I was able to have multiple internships throughout high school. Regardless, you should at least be able to find ONE! The thing that many people don’t realize is that a fashion internship does not have to be with a huge company in order to be valuable. Therefore, even if it’s just a small clothing store or a freelance fashion designer or a local magazine, take it! Getting started is the first key to success. And if you can’t find any posts online or from your school advisor about fashion internships then take matters into your own hands and start writing emails to places that you would like to work specifying that you will work for free.

YOUR BOSSES PROBABLY WON’T BE MONSTERS

The horrifying boss that the movies make you picture is not always the case. In fact, most of the time it’s not. Now, that’s not to say that you will have a boss who is super chill and does not have any expectations because that’s not realistic, or even beneficial. But, you can definitely find some bosses who will work with you and make you feel like you have a teacher and not a micro manager. Hard working spirit is a necessity but you should not have to feel lowly and sad every time you enter the building.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LOOK LIKE A VOGUE FASHION MODEL

You heard it. All fashion interns do not look like they are straight out of a fashion magazine! The key to landing a job is not the fact that you look like a carbon copy from a catalogue but that you are clearly creative and have a passion for fashion! Therefore, as long as your style displays a sense of personality and maybe even some artistic aspect, you will be fine. This is not giving you creative license to walk into a corporate environment with leggings and a sweater. Be mindful of the occasion without losing yourself!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER

There is more to the industry than fashion design! A fashion internship is not simply learning about design. Although it is beneficial to do so, it is not the be all end all. There are internships for retail, management, merchandising, marketing, advertising, personal styling, writing and editing, photography, modeling and much more! Find the internship program that suits what you want to pursue.

FASHION INTERNSHIPS CAN TRANSITION AS EXPERIENCE FOR OTHER JOB FIELDS

Because fashion is so multifaceted, an internship done well can be transferred as experience to many other career fields. So, don’t feel like changing your mind is a waste of time! As previously mentioned, there are many areas you could pursue. Do you really feel like because the word “fashion” comes before “management, marketing, editing etc” that a company is automatically going to negate your work? Of course not! As long as you are able to prove that your knowledge and work ethic goes beyond the fashion industry, those same skills apply.