Internships Versus Experience
The debate between internships and experience has been ongoing since the start of the fashion field. While they both have many similarities, each of them tends to require the other in order to pursue new opportunities in the industry. So what exactly does this mean for students who are trying to determine which one is more important in furthering their education?
The biggest pro when it comes to internships is the connections that you can make. Networking is crucial in the apparel world as every job and every person is connected in some way. Internships also provide instant résumé builders as they show your eagerness to learn more and expand your knowledge. The opportunities themselves may lead to full-time job offers or essential references in your future job search. While many internships offer firsthand experience without the full responsibility of a job, these positions are often underpaid (if paid at all) and require you to do a lot of grunt work that may not be relevant to your career.
Experience, on the other hand, allows you to demonstrate initiative, such as showcasing your work and having concrete evidence of your contributions to a company. There is also more room for growth regarding strengthening and nurturing your skills. An official job also guarantees an income, which is vital for many people who still need to make a living while increasing their involvement. While it looks great on a résumé to show that you worked events such as apparel markets or fashion week shows, these opportunities aren’t always accessible to people unless they live in fashion capitals or have the means to travel for work, which isn’t quite realistic for most. However, on the bright side, you can also build experience on your own time, primarily through creative outlets such as running your own blog and social media accounts or demonstrating original designs and projects.
While both of these possibilities have their pros and cons, they serve their separate purposes in the work world. Internships play a key role in opening doors, meeting people, and learning new things without the long term commitment that a formal job requires. It’s a very typical route for people trying to get their foot in the industry. Experience allows you to showcase your talent and have important skills to utilize when finding a new position or branching out to try different things in your career. This is a unique method that can cater to your schedule and also provide a source of income to sustain living.
