A Day in the Life of a NYC Intern

Many people dream of moving to New York City, fascinated by Gossip Girl, The Carrie Diaries, or the many Broadway shows. That dream came true this summer when I was offered an internship at Macy’s! Though a lot of it is fun and games, you will need some tips and tricks on how to navigate life in the big city. Every day is different, but this is my typical day.  

First, I wake up in my apartment across from Gramercy Park. I absolutely love this residential area because of the unique restaurants, various food stands, and the small city feel. The first tip would be to find a safe area to live in that you think you will enjoy, not just one close to your work. During the weekends and after work, you will want to look around, so you should make sure you like the area around your apartment. 

Next, I get ready for work at Macy’s! I walk out of my little blue door and head down Broadway Street until I get to Herald Square. The mornings are perfect right before the work rush which makes it a relaxing start to the day. The next tip would be to find a podcast you enjoy since there is going to be a lot of commuting ahead of you whether it is on foot, by ferry, or by bus. Also, a keynote would be that jaywalking is the normal way of walking here apparently.  

After I get past security and up to my desk, I clock in to start my day. I check through emails and message my boss to see what will be going on today. My coworkers have all been amazing so far, and I absolutely love the view from the 18th floor. Then after a long day at work once or twice a week, I go to happy hour with my Auburn and Macy’s friends! We love getting to try new places and getting to explore the city even on weekdays. The best way to find a place to eat is through Yelp because you will always have amazing restaurants around you without even knowing. When you first move to the city, it may seem confusing to navigate the streets. The easiest way is to think of everything like a hashtag. Subways, buses, and streets all go straight up and down or left to right. If you need to go to 96th and 3rd Avenue, you most likely just have to keep traveling North until you hit 96th then you travel East until you hit 3rd Ave. It gets pretty easy within your first two weeks.

Lastly, after happy hour I walk back home to Gramercy and hang out with my roommate. Sometimes, we will go to dinner and other times we will cook in the kitchen. If you are up for some more exploring but do not want to spend too much, there are plenty of free activities all over the city. I highly recommend following Instagram accounts like @nyc_forfree and @explorenycfree who post daily on the new, fun, and free things to do that day! My friends and I will check out some of the cool activities after work when we find something that piques our interest. My favorite so far is the Museum Mile Festival which is a day in June where museums like the Met and Guggenheim are free admission! When I am ready to wind down, I’ll get out my next book that I want to conquer and head to bed early for another exciting day at Macy’s! As many people in the program would say, I recommend spending a summer in New York City even if it’s only for two quick months!