Fashion Career Internships

A fashion internship is a great way to learn about the fashion industry. An internship is a temporary position at a fashion house, company or brand with the focus on training rather than employment. Apparel Search is a resource for viewing fashion industry careers as well as for viewing and posting employment opportunities for the apparel, fashion and textile industries. The glossary defines the Fashion Intern role itself, and students whose schools run their own placements should also read Fashion School Internship Programs. Fashion industry internships are a great way to gain experience and build a professional network: they provide invaluable experience in the industry, and can be the first step in launching a successful career.

Making the Most of a Fashion Internship

One of the most important aspects of any fashion internship is research. Interns are expected to be knowledgeable about the fashion industry, including the latest trends, designers, labels and styles, and they should be able to research and present findings to their supervisors. It is also important to be able to analyze data, develop new ideas, and help with design and production.

Interns should also be prepared to work hard and be flexible. Fashion is an ever-changing industry, and interns need to be able to adapt to the changing environment. Interns should be prepared to work long hours, and should be willing to take on any task given to them.

Another important skill for fashion interns is networking. Interns should take advantage of any opportunities they can to build their professional network. This includes attending industry events, networking with established professionals, and building relationships with other interns.

Finally, fashion interns should be prepared to take advantage of any opportunities that come their way. Internships often lead to full-time positions, so it is important to make a good impression. Take advantage of any chances you have to demonstrate your skills and learn from experienced professionals. With the right research, networking skills, and willingness to work hard and be flexible, fashion industry interns can make the most of their experience and build a successful career.

Internship Programs and Employers

Belk. Belk department stores seek highly motivated individuals for the Belk Retail Internship Program. During a structured 300 hours of development, interns get to know Belk stores and learn about the retail business by mastering the art of selling and customer relations; they also experience other aspects of store and merchandise operations through planned experiences and project development. Interns who are identified as possessing the necessary skills and qualifications for retail management are selected as candidates for the challenging Belk Executive Trainee Program. The program's requirements have included being a rising Junior or Senior at an accredited college or university, a strong interest in a career in retailing, being an academically talented student leader, and having excellent work ethics and people skills — check the Belk site for submission deadlines and the most current list of requirements. Belk was established in 1888 and is a privately owned fashion retail company with over two hundred department stores in 13 southeastern and mid-Atlantic states, employing 20,000 people.

Kenneth Cole. Kenneth Cole is just about always searching for talented individuals with fashion industry experience, or at least a great sense of style: their site carries corporate positions, retail positions and internships.

Dream Careers. Dream Careers (formerly University of Dreams) provides internship programs in both New York and San Francisco. New York City, as a global center of business, provides resume-building opportunities for students seeking to work in almost any industry, and a summer in the New York City program gives participants from around the world a taste of working life there. San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area are international centers of both big business and entrepreneurship. University of Dreams Inc. was founded in February of 2000; in 2001 it hosted its first program at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, California, and it has since added programs in Los Angeles, Chicago and London, with San Francisco and Barcelona among the additions it described. Enrollment in the University of Dreams programs grew by 930% in its first six years.

Target. Target Corporation — Internships: bring your unique background and extraordinary ideas to work, and let Target help shape your future. Target internships develop the leadership skills and business knowledge needed to enhance a career, in a team environment designed to promote and reward individuality, innovation, leadership and strong business results, at one of the nation's most innovative and successful fashion retailers.

Internships, Jobs and Next Steps

In the intern section you will find some apparel industry internships, but you will also find regular jobs that are not internships. Internships are a wonderful way to learn the industry; a job that pays you as you learn can be even more beneficial. Check with the listed apparel companies for the most current information regarding their fashion career internship programs — the information in this section may not be the most current, and you will need to contact the companies directly for the exact details and requirements of their programs.

When an internship turns into applications, preparation matters: work on your Fashion Industry Resume, learn how to find jobs in the fashion industry, read the Fashion Education Article, and study Interviewing For A Career in Fashion before the interview — and do not forget to do your shopping for interview clothing. With interest in the fashion industry continuing to increase, so is the competition — but so are the opportunities, and it is becoming increasingly simple to earn a degree in fields like fashion design, fashion marketing or fashion merchandising.