12 Things Having A NYC Fashion Internship Taught Me

I am incredibly sad that my first real NYC internship has come to an end. I interned at HauteSpotter (previously known as HauteTalk) and I absolutely loved it. NYC fashion internships seem super glamorous but tough, but let me give you some ~real insight~on them.

Here’s a little bit more about my NYC fashion internship experience and the things I learned!

1. No one needs a large iced beverage, ever.

“It’s only forty cents more than the medium!! What a bargain!” I say as I upgrade to a large Dunkin’ Donuts iced caramel latte. First of all, the cup is obnoxiously large and I looked like an ass hole (or at least I felt like one). Secondly, I drank the literal amount of iced latte that would’ve been in a medium before I realized if I drank more I would probably get sick. I also felt like I was having heart palpitations from all of the caffeine–mistake.

2. Fellow interns are friends, not so much competition.

I went in thinking the other interns were all out to steal the spotlight and blah blah like they always show on TV. I was so wrong. The interns I worked with were incredibly awesome, and it was so cool being able to talk to people who want to do the same things as you. We all sort of banded together and while we most likely won’t ever see each other again, I guarantee we’ll be supporting each other’s careers and liking each other’s work on Facebook for a long time to come. Befriending your fellow interns is so important–you’re all in the same boat and often have a lot in common.

3. I’m never becoming a vegan (or a health nut).

Since I got free lunch and my editors were healthy eaters, I often ended up ordering from healthy (or vegan) places. While I did enjoy most meals and realized that healthy food can be good, I just want burgers and cold Chinese food. I will say, though, healthy breakfast bars are heroic and delicious. Larabars and Luna bars were once things I walked by in the grocery store and cringed at. If they were healthy they HAD to be gross–wrong. Peanut butter cookie Larabars and brownie caramel Luna bars are my new addiction. They’re SO YUMMY and make you feel full. I lived on these for breakfast because the thought of eating actual breakfast at 7 AM makes me cringe.

4. Expensive isn’t a synonym for yummy.

When I hear Pellegrino I think of rich housewives sipping it by the pool or wealthy businessmen drinking it at work. It’s fancy sounding and stuff but it’s so GROSS. They had it in the office and, since the water machine was empty, I figured this would be a fine replacement. Ah, so classy and chic. No. It is just water but with a soda-like burn. Why? This also applies to a lot of fancy food places. Tsk tsk.

5. Online journalism is the industry I wanna be in.

I dove into this assuming I’d prefer to work with print journalism and write for a published, paper magazine. Interning here made me fall in love with the fast-paced digital publication world. HauteSpotter made me realize that I can handle the online publication world and that it’s probably where I belong. I’m glad I learned that I want to focus on online magazine writing, not print.

6. I do actually know what I’m doing (at least some of the time).

My boss pulled aside all of the interns to give them one on one reviews and she gave me that “You’re talented and you are good at writing for this industry” little speech that my tiny self-doubt in my major needed. My editor has said the absolute nicest and reaffirming things about my work and passion and it has seriously helped me be more sure about myself. I’ve always doubted going for the whole magazine writing industry because I was afraid I couldn’t make it, but she has helped me find confidence in myself that I wouldn’t have had without this internship.

7. No matter what you’re wearing, there’s a 98% chance someone will hit on you or stare at your ass.

Not one day at my internship has passed where I was not hit on or called “beautiful” by some random guy during my commute. Admittedly, it’s a little flattering. When a really old man looked me up and down, whistles and says, “Sweet Jesus” (this actually happened), I just laughed and liked that I had a story to tell. While not everyone feels the same about this, I take it lightheartedly and find it to be complimentary and humorous. If you don’t feel the same, which I totally understand, here’s a warning: even if you’re wearing a turtleneck and the loosest sweatpants, someone is likely going to give you the eyes or do some sort of catcall. It happens, it’s NYC. I don’t expect anything less.

8. Have no shame in admiring at your reflection in every store window.

I mean, is it really vanity? Maybe it’s just outward confidence. I wasn’t always window shopping as I walked to my bus stop, I was absolutely looking at my outfit and my walk. No shame.

9. Navigating NYC isn’t that bad.

I was terrified of getting lost and not being able to find my internship or bus stop. Luckily, after one week I didn’t even need my directions anymore. It’s important to map out your location and landmarks to look for on your way so you know you’re not going down the wrong street, but you’ll get the hang of it. There are a ton of tips for commuting in NYC and if you follow them, you’ll be totally fine.

10. I actually want to live in the city.

Picturing being a 20-something in a tiny apartment roughing it in NYC used to scare me, but after the long commute to Manhattan from Staten Island each morning and after seeing how much the city has to offer, my mind has changed. I proved to myself that I know how to navigate the city without getting lost every time and I’ve begun to fall in love with it a little more. While I don’t picture living there forever, after I graduate I’d love to be there. That is, if I totally ignore my crippling student debt after I graduate. HaHAHA 🙂

11. The food game in NYC is so strong.

There are so many yummy places to eat, it’s ridiculous. I tried so many new places and loved most of them. There’s such a variety and it’s just a beautiful thing. A food about good eats in NYC is soon to come, I promise. God bless food. You will find favorite places to eat and you’ll try so many different kinds of food. During my internship I tried Vegan food, Cuban food and a bunch of restaurants I’ve never heard of.

12. You learn so much.

It was definitely an excellent experience for my first NYC Fashion Internship, I’m grateful to have worked alongside a lot of really cool other interns and have an editor who was incredibly sweet!

The best part of this internship was the amount of responsibility and the relaxed environment. I was able to do a ton of social media and write my own articles. My resume and portfolio are both very happy about that. The environment was professional, but very relaxed. While I’m aware that future fashion internships will likely involve doing the *ahem* “bitch” work like getting coffee and returning clothes samples, I got to learn so much for this internship. I learned SEO, how to schedule social media, how to pitch and write great fashion-related content and so much more. Absorb as much as you can from your internship, that’s what they’re for!

So, there are just twelve of many things I learned while having a NYC fashion internship this summer! Sidenote: If you’re looking to intern somewhere, here are some tips on finding an internship. Definitely look into HauteSpotter–I cannot recommend it enough! Here’s to another internship next summer, am I right?

What are some things having an internship taught you?

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