It’s crazy how much things can change in a year. A year ago, my freshman self was so set on getting an internship at a fashion magazine in New York City. I was so sure that I was destined to one day become a fashion editor for a women’s magazine, and I knew interning in any major fashion publication in New York was going to be my first step in making that dream come true. I reached out to every fashion, beauty, editorial and features assistant of all the notable fashion magazines and booked a flight to New York City over spring break to go on interviews with the handful of assistants who were gracious enough to give me a chance. When I finally got an offer, I was beyond excited for what seemed like the start of a career I only dreamed of having.
It makes me smile to look back at how entirely naïve I was. It never occurred to me that the career I’ve always dreamed of may not in fact be the right one for me. The two months I spent interning at a Hearst fashion magazine was a huge turning point for me not because it was what I’ve always dreamed of, but because it was the exact opposite. So here it is: my two scents on what it was like for me to be a part of the fashion magazine business. I hope these lessons that I’ve had to learn the extremely hard way guide you to make the best out of yours.
1. Never, ever say no.
As a fashion closet intern, you’re most likely going to be asked to run errands you’ve never done in your life. Yes, you’ll get coffee and yes, you’ll make dozens of copies but you’ll also be asked to run around the city you may or may not be familiar with to pick up heavy garment bags from five different showrooms. These errands that may seem trivial to you are going to define your internship experience. You need to do them well and do them fast. I personally remember having to pick up garment bags that carried heavy winter coats and boots in the middle of the day when it’s somewhere between 90 and 100 degrees outside. I was sweating, struggling to carry the clothes without dragging them on the ground while my sunglasses were sliding down my nose bridge and my makeup was sweating off in the most unattractive way. You also may be asked to find the tiniest pair of stud earrings because apparently they cost more than your rent, and you’re expected to stay beyond your hours on most nights. It’s not a glamorous job, and you should fully understand that before going into your internship. No matter how brutal your task may be, never say no.
2. Look cute, but be practical.
When I left for my internship last summer, I only packed the cutest pieces in my closet. These included my summer wedged sandals, bandage skirts, bejeweled tops and chiffon blouses. Don’t get me wrong- you should look presentable at your fashion magazine internship. Chances are you’re going to be sharing an elevator with editors and models all the time and trust me- you don’t ever want to be seen in a baggy t-shirt and Daisy Dukes. Working for a fashion magazine in itself is an excuse to dress well every day without being judged for it, but you also need to realize you’re there to do labor. You’re going to be crawling on both knees struggling to pack trunks for the next photoshoot or climbing ladders to organize shoes on the top shelf. You don’t want to constantly be pulling down your skirt or putting your feet through hell in your cutest pair of heels. Dress nicely, but be comfortable.
3. Speak up.
When you walk into your first day at your internship you may have a few other interns already there. These interns may have months of experience ahead of you, and that can be intimidating. The first few days is all about learning. Listen, watch and learn. It’s important for you to perfect any tasks and memorize the editors’ names and faces as quickly as you can. Become accustomed to the way things are done in the office, and get rid of that “I’m new here and I don’t know anything” image as soon as you can. The faster you do this, the more you can ask your boss for new tasks to be assigned to you. Make sure your boss sees your immaculate work ethic. Slowly but surely you will be trusted with more work and your exceptional talent of learning fast will put you in charge of things before you even know it. It’s important to know when to ask for more work to be given to you. Don’t just sit around waiting for people to tell you what to do.
4. Don’t gossip.
You may hate your boss. It happens. Miranda Priestly may look like an over-the-top fictional character in The Devil Wears Prada, but you will be surprised how many times editors at a fashion magazine act exactly like her. It’s funny in a movie, but it hurts in real life. Trust me when I say, though, you need to learn how to let it go. Don’t take anything personally, because your boss didn’t hire you so he or she could hold your hand through every step of the way and be your friend. They’re doing their job, and a fashion magazine has a very stressful, fast-paced ambiance that puts everyone on edge. If an editor yells at you for not having steamed all the dresses for the photoshoot in time, apologize but don’t let it get to you. I’ll be the first one to tell you you’ll have times when you want to gossip about your boss and horribly she treats you, but don’t do it. One thing that never changes after high school is that word travels fast. If ever word gets into your boss that you’ve been calling her a b**** behind her back, your life is only going to get harder. Even if you have to force it, smile and pretend like you’re having the most pleasant time of your life. A good attitude shines through, and it won’t go unnoticed.
5. Don’t forget to have fun.
Interning in a fashion magazine is tough, especially if you’re in the fashion closet. Some people come out of it feeling like they’ve been hazed, and many never come back. If you’re at your internship for the right reasons, though, you’ll find little things to appreciate and laugh about even in the midst of the chaos. Make sure you at least try to make some friends along the way. I personally came out of my internship with great memories I made with some of my fellow interns, where we bonded over how stressful our work was and yet how rewarding the experience can me. Your internship is really what you make of it. If you choose not to be disgruntled and seek to find appreciation in actually having gotten a position in the first place, things will look up. Grab a cupcake with your co-workers after a long Friday or take a moment to realize how beautiful all those high-end designer pieces you’re touching really are. As for me, despite the tears and long hours, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I understand how the fashion magazine industry operates, and was lucky enough to realize it really wasn’t for me. It was painful at times, yes, but I guarantee you will learn so much about yourself that it doesn’t even matter if you were paid or not. I hope these tips helped you prepare yourself before you jump into the fire. Be ready to give it your all. And remember, it’s just fashion.