This is amy (above).
She is a fellow intern who keeps me in great company, write raps at lunch, packs a mean gift bag, copy-edits like a pro., opened my eyes to cheese and jam together, and is always arrives at 9 am sharp!
Amy - I am sad so see you go, how will I ever courier a package with out you?
In the spirit of all things INTERN, I have posted Style.com 10 INTERN TIPS, for all of us who are more then happy to slave away our summers in the name of Fashion ( and learning!).
Obey the Dress Code
"What not to wear is often easier to outline," says Vogue senior market editor Meredith Melling Burke. On her list of don'ts: flip-flops, Crocs, ripped jeans, denim shorts, chipped nails, exposed lingerie, and makeup experiments. W magazine executive editor Bridget Foley advises using other office dwellers as a general yardstick of what's appropriate. Even in creative fields, though, you should look like you mean business. "Dress according to the reality of what your day will consist of," advises Teen Vogue fashion director Gloria Baume. "Packing up for shoots and running around to showrooms means comfortable, easy clothes."
Patsy and Eddy might think they're Absolutely Fabulous, but fashion victimhood is an internship don't.
But Don't Play It Too Safe
We are talking about the fashion world here, so easy dressing doesn't necessarily mean easy on flair. "Impress me," commands jewelry designer Philip Crangi. And Michael Kors accessories director Richard Sinnott still has fond memories of one ultra-stylish aide. "She looked amazing. I'd say, 'Honey, we're going out to the warehouse to pull vintage. You might want to wear flats,' " he recalls. "She said, 'I don't wear flats.' And sure enough, she's in with her bleach-blond bob, pencil dress, and six-inch patent heels going up and down the ladder." The key here is that she never missed a rung. "Eccentric and flamboyant is amusing, as long as it is balanced with efficiency," says eccentric but efficient Barneys creative director Simon Doonan.
Stay Until the Skinny Lady Sings
Think that working in fashion and publishing means having no life outside work? Good, you're learning. "This is a lifestyle, not a job," says People's Revolution publicity maven Kelly Cutrone. "If you need to leave at 5:30 every day, it's kind of not the right career for you." Casting director Douglas Perrett gives his interns a 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, but reserves the right to go beyond. "This industry can be 24/7," he says. "They need to be accessible." With luck, your commitment won't go unnoticed. "You always get bigger points if you say, 'Hey, I can stay and finish this,' " says Keith Carollo, co-owner of the retailer Fred Flare.
Great Expectations: Check Them at the Door
Remember, there are no such things as small tasks, only small interns. "If you do little things awesome, you'll definitely get bigger opportunities," says Flare. And no matter how beneath your talents you consider stamp-licking or shoe-taping to be, keep a poker face. "No eye rolls" is the request from Costello Tagliapietra's Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra. "That's the bane of our existence: the intern eye roll." Miserable after a day at the copier? Baume suggests taking the long view: "Even though on some days it might seem like a thankless, dismal job, when you look back, you will realize how valuable it really was." And if not, you can always use the material for your tell-all blog (or not—see next slide).
Blog With Caution
Your boss might read Gawker obsessively, but that doesn't mean she wants to see her name there. Still, in this new world of online notoriety (and, for that matter, interns) as marketing tool, employers have relaxed their stance on blogging…a bit. "We love when our interns blog about their experiences," says Teen Vogue's Baume. The magazine even provides an area on its Web site to do so, but Baume points out that some things must remain sub rosa. "I'd clear it with your employer," adds Vanity Fair's Fanfair editor, Punch Hutton. "That said, if I knew someone was blogging about their work experience, I'd be reluctant to involve him or her in an important project." Our take: If you're convinced your online musings are juicy enough to land a six-figure, kiss-the-office-goodbye-forever book contract, blog away. Otherwise, find a safer outlet for venting work frustrations, like mixed martial arts.
Master the Art of the Telephone
Right up there on the list of fun intern tasks: answering the phone. And it's harder than it looks, by all accounts. Among the pet peeves we heard from employers: incomplete phone messages, an unfamiliarity with clients' names, and even offering a "Good afternoon" to callers at 10 a.m. Vanity Fair's Hutton advises, "Always answer the phone with a sunny disposition. This doesn't mean singsongy or overly familiar. And always ask for a phone number if your boss isn't there." At PR powerhouse Karla Otto, where a phone is unfailingly answered by a live human being, senior staffer Libby Haan advocates uniformity and manners. "Everyone answers the phone the same way: 'Karla Otto, New York.' Polite and respectful, that's it." Years from now, that "Who? Can you spell Gabbana?" gaffe might make for a funny anecdote, but right now it'll mean a long summer—or a very short one.
Every Working Girl should perfect her telephone etiquette, like Melanie Griffith, here in the classic 1988 Mike Nichols flick. (NB: Cigarettes are no longer allowed.)
Learn by Osmosis
You're not Barbara Walters, and a busy boss has better things to do (lunch at Michael's, checking out that new spa for a two-line front-of-book mention, etc.) than answer all your questions about how she broke into the industry. Still, a savvy intern can pick up tons of intel without a single inquiry—every office has bits of information flying around all day long. "Keep your eyes and ears open," says Vogue's Melling Burke. "Make a point to remember everyone's name. Research the latest collections on Style.com." According to Cutrone, after four weeks of stuffing envelopes, a good intern should be able to tell you where every editor works and the magazine's address. "That's amazing because they've actually been paying attention to detail," she says.
The savvy intern picks up on clues without asking too many questions, like a real-life Nancy Drew.
Keep IT in Your Pants, or Your Purse
Get your mind out of the gutter. That's IT as in your information technology. As much as the vibrating siren song of your BlackBerry's IM or thoughts of who might have just poked you on Facebook might call, ignore them like Odysseus should have done if he wanted to get home on time. "Personal phone calls should be the exception, not the rule," says W's Foley. "Cell phones, texting, and IM'ing should take place outside of the office," agrees Vanity Fair's Hutton. "Be wary of giving the impression that there are a million other things you'd rather be doing." IPods, on the other hand, can be welcome under the right circumstances. "We always want to know what the kids are listening to," says Perrett. "Listening to iPods is encouraged, as long as it's on our iPod dock." And for a few open-minded employers, your youthful tech savvy can be a plus all around. Says Barneys' Doonan, "[Interns] should show me all the latest tricks and technology. I consider it their duty to prevent me from becoming an old fart."
Be Seen and Not Heard
Your opinion matters. Just kidding—it doesn't. It may be tempting to chime in with your incisive take on what's happening in front of you, but resist the urge. "It sounds really catty, but my pet peeve is you giving your opinion without being asked," says Kors' Sinnott. "Sometimes interns get a little too involved in their heads," say Costello and Tagliapietra. "They try to work themselves into meetings or listen to phone conversations and voice their opinion. Then you have that oddball who just thinks they're the designer, but there's usually someone to put them in their place, whether it's a stylist or a hairdresser." To avoid being zinged by an up-and-coming Oribe (trust us, the scars can last for years), just remember that silence truly is golden.
Submission in the office doesn't need to go to the extent that Maggie Gyllenhaal took it in Secretary with James Spader, but a polite reserve is advisable.
So What's In It for You?
An internship is essentially a two-month-long job interview, and a successful intern can reap rewards. "Sometimes an intern impresses you so much that all you want to do is find them a job within the department," says Teen Vogue's Baume. Beyond an immediate job, however, the value of making a good referral is, as they say, priceless. The worlds of fashion publishing, design, and PR are as tight-knit as the stitches on the gash above a hockey player's eye.
Just as Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port rose to their 15 minutes of fame and partook in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like the Crillon Bal des Débutantes, a successful internship can yield myriad benefits.
"What not to wear is often easier to outline," says Vogue senior market editor Meredith Melling Burke. On her list of don'ts: flip-flops, Crocs, ripped jeans, denim shorts, chipped nails, exposed lingerie, and makeup experiments. W magazine executive editor Bridget Foley advises using other office dwellers as a general yardstick of what's appropriate. Even in creative fields, though, you should look like you mean business. "Dress according to the reality of what your day will consist of," advises Teen Vogue fashion director Gloria Baume. "Packing up for shoots and running around to showrooms means comfortable, easy clothes."
Patsy and Eddy might think they're Absolutely Fabulous, but fashion victimhood is an internship don't.
But Don't Play It Too Safe
We are talking about the fashion world here, so easy dressing doesn't necessarily mean easy on flair. "Impress me," commands jewelry designer Philip Crangi. And Michael Kors accessories director Richard Sinnott still has fond memories of one ultra-stylish aide. "She looked amazing. I'd say, 'Honey, we're going out to the warehouse to pull vintage. You might want to wear flats,' " he recalls. "She said, 'I don't wear flats.' And sure enough, she's in with her bleach-blond bob, pencil dress, and six-inch patent heels going up and down the ladder." The key here is that she never missed a rung. "Eccentric and flamboyant is amusing, as long as it is balanced with efficiency," says eccentric but efficient Barneys creative director Simon Doonan.
Stay Until the Skinny Lady Sings
Think that working in fashion and publishing means having no life outside work? Good, you're learning. "This is a lifestyle, not a job," says People's Revolution publicity maven Kelly Cutrone. "If you need to leave at 5:30 every day, it's kind of not the right career for you." Casting director Douglas Perrett gives his interns a 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, but reserves the right to go beyond. "This industry can be 24/7," he says. "They need to be accessible." With luck, your commitment won't go unnoticed. "You always get bigger points if you say, 'Hey, I can stay and finish this,' " says Keith Carollo, co-owner of the retailer Fred Flare.
Great Expectations: Check Them at the Door
Remember, there are no such things as small tasks, only small interns. "If you do little things awesome, you'll definitely get bigger opportunities," says Flare. And no matter how beneath your talents you consider stamp-licking or shoe-taping to be, keep a poker face. "No eye rolls" is the request from Costello Tagliapietra's Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra. "That's the bane of our existence: the intern eye roll." Miserable after a day at the copier? Baume suggests taking the long view: "Even though on some days it might seem like a thankless, dismal job, when you look back, you will realize how valuable it really was." And if not, you can always use the material for your tell-all blog (or not—see next slide).
Blog With Caution
Your boss might read Gawker obsessively, but that doesn't mean she wants to see her name there. Still, in this new world of online notoriety (and, for that matter, interns) as marketing tool, employers have relaxed their stance on blogging…a bit. "We love when our interns blog about their experiences," says Teen Vogue's Baume. The magazine even provides an area on its Web site to do so, but Baume points out that some things must remain sub rosa. "I'd clear it with your employer," adds Vanity Fair's Fanfair editor, Punch Hutton. "That said, if I knew someone was blogging about their work experience, I'd be reluctant to involve him or her in an important project." Our take: If you're convinced your online musings are juicy enough to land a six-figure, kiss-the-office-goodbye-forever book contract, blog away. Otherwise, find a safer outlet for venting work frustrations, like mixed martial arts.
Master the Art of the Telephone
Right up there on the list of fun intern tasks: answering the phone. And it's harder than it looks, by all accounts. Among the pet peeves we heard from employers: incomplete phone messages, an unfamiliarity with clients' names, and even offering a "Good afternoon" to callers at 10 a.m. Vanity Fair's Hutton advises, "Always answer the phone with a sunny disposition. This doesn't mean singsongy or overly familiar. And always ask for a phone number if your boss isn't there." At PR powerhouse Karla Otto, where a phone is unfailingly answered by a live human being, senior staffer Libby Haan advocates uniformity and manners. "Everyone answers the phone the same way: 'Karla Otto, New York.' Polite and respectful, that's it." Years from now, that "Who? Can you spell Gabbana?" gaffe might make for a funny anecdote, but right now it'll mean a long summer—or a very short one.
Every Working Girl should perfect her telephone etiquette, like Melanie Griffith, here in the classic 1988 Mike Nichols flick. (NB: Cigarettes are no longer allowed.)
Learn by Osmosis
You're not Barbara Walters, and a busy boss has better things to do (lunch at Michael's, checking out that new spa for a two-line front-of-book mention, etc.) than answer all your questions about how she broke into the industry. Still, a savvy intern can pick up tons of intel without a single inquiry—every office has bits of information flying around all day long. "Keep your eyes and ears open," says Vogue's Melling Burke. "Make a point to remember everyone's name. Research the latest collections on Style.com." According to Cutrone, after four weeks of stuffing envelopes, a good intern should be able to tell you where every editor works and the magazine's address. "That's amazing because they've actually been paying attention to detail," she says.
The savvy intern picks up on clues without asking too many questions, like a real-life Nancy Drew.
Keep IT in Your Pants, or Your Purse
Get your mind out of the gutter. That's IT as in your information technology. As much as the vibrating siren song of your BlackBerry's IM or thoughts of who might have just poked you on Facebook might call, ignore them like Odysseus should have done if he wanted to get home on time. "Personal phone calls should be the exception, not the rule," says W's Foley. "Cell phones, texting, and IM'ing should take place outside of the office," agrees Vanity Fair's Hutton. "Be wary of giving the impression that there are a million other things you'd rather be doing." IPods, on the other hand, can be welcome under the right circumstances. "We always want to know what the kids are listening to," says Perrett. "Listening to iPods is encouraged, as long as it's on our iPod dock." And for a few open-minded employers, your youthful tech savvy can be a plus all around. Says Barneys' Doonan, "[Interns] should show me all the latest tricks and technology. I consider it their duty to prevent me from becoming an old fart."
Be Seen and Not Heard
Your opinion matters. Just kidding—it doesn't. It may be tempting to chime in with your incisive take on what's happening in front of you, but resist the urge. "It sounds really catty, but my pet peeve is you giving your opinion without being asked," says Kors' Sinnott. "Sometimes interns get a little too involved in their heads," say Costello and Tagliapietra. "They try to work themselves into meetings or listen to phone conversations and voice their opinion. Then you have that oddball who just thinks they're the designer, but there's usually someone to put them in their place, whether it's a stylist or a hairdresser." To avoid being zinged by an up-and-coming Oribe (trust us, the scars can last for years), just remember that silence truly is golden.
Submission in the office doesn't need to go to the extent that Maggie Gyllenhaal took it in Secretary with James Spader, but a polite reserve is advisable.
So What's In It for You?
An internship is essentially a two-month-long job interview, and a successful intern can reap rewards. "Sometimes an intern impresses you so much that all you want to do is find them a job within the department," says Teen Vogue's Baume. Beyond an immediate job, however, the value of making a good referral is, as they say, priceless. The worlds of fashion publishing, design, and PR are as tight-knit as the stitches on the gash above a hockey player's eye.
Just as Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port rose to their 15 minutes of fame and partook in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like the Crillon Bal des Débutantes, a successful internship can yield myriad benefits.
5 comments:
My best advice is wear a tie with water fowl on it, every day, for the first week. Then wear T-Shirts and do not shave.
Eat lunch at your desk.
Make as few friends as possible.
Smoke.
Put chocolate in your cereal.
Headphones is a must.
When people call you "hollywood" because you wear sunglasses all the time, respond: "These were a dollar" and walk away.
Make sure that your phone is on vibrate, but have the ringer be one of the best songs of all time, in case you forget. "Sir Duke" and "Shadrach" are good options.
If you have a problem, go to the boss with it. Do not talk to anyone even remotely close to you in the power structure if you have a grievance.
Make an enemy.
Make at least one friend who you would hang out with even if you didn't work together.
Spot the "cool crowd" and deny their offers to go for drinks/lunch. Unless it's friday, then go for drinks and leave early to "go get fucked up with my friends."
Burn somebody a CD, then ask every day if they've listened to it yet. Ask specific questions, so that they can't lie that they have.
Discuss television.
Flirt with the receptionist.
Befriend the janitor.
Nicknames.
When you meet a co-worker's girlfriend/spouse/boyfriend talk exclusively to them, ignoring everyone else.
Have all personal telephone conversations in the hall.
Remind people on a regular basis that you are capable of much more than you've been assigned to do.
Make fun of all the clients behind their backs. Make fun of the new guy to his/her face. Blame new people for all the problems in the organization, maintain that they are "a spy for the competition."
Develop a system of hand signals and abbreviated slang to communicate with your peers.
Take reading material to the bathroom.
Have gum.
Provided you can show up on time, this is a recipe for success.
i really like the "hollywood" one!
i love these intern points...please post the intern wrap now.
sarah- you gotta post about the outfit inspirations (wink, wink)
i only wish that the interns in the fashion department at work would stop wearing gladiator sandals to work every day.
i could work for free like this forever...
Do you realize you're mentioning Richard Sinnott in your piece here? Seriously? He is old and outdated, not to mention one of those self hating gays! Who needs that? Dust off the old man and put him on a shelf, he's finished.
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