RECAP: Interning in NYC

Contributed by Shannon Lucky

New York City (a.k.a the concrete jungle, the city that never sleeps, and the big apple) is the best city in the world. Now whether you agree with that statement or not is up to you, but if you are trying to make it in the fashion industry there is a strong chance you have considered, or will end up, working in this marvelous city. Although it has its pros and cons, I believe the experience you get working in this fashion capital outweighs any cons.

This past summer I got to work for a small sweater company located in the heart of the Garment District. I have lived in a suburb of the city, about 40 minutes away, my entire life. Before this internship I was already familiar with the area, but I learned so much more about navigating the streets of Manhattan and what it takes to sustain a life there.

If you are expecting to stroll into the city gossip girl style, living it up like Blair and Serena, you might want to take a harder look at the logistics first.

Image via Giphy

Now, assuming you are not city royalty like these characters, you will be in need of a strict budget for your summer of interning. The cost of living in New York City is the highest in the United States, and top-ranked in the world. Fortunately for me, I only needed to pay for a monthly train pass and got to avoid the high cost of rent. That being said, if you need to find a place to live in the city, consider the NYU dorms for a cheaper alternative to renting an apartment. 

Apart from where you will stay, planning ahead when it comes to food, entertainment, and miscellaneous costs is vital to your survival. Depending on whether your internship is paid or not will greatly affect your ability to experience the city on your off time. 

I strongly recommend saving up before moving to the city, whether it is full time or just for a part-time gig. You will want to be able to enjoy all that the city has to offer, and spontaneous (and sometimes costly) excursions are part of the norm in this culture. Whether you go to dinner with friends, a show at a comedy club, shopping in Chelsea Market, a concert or Broadway show, or even a boat tour around the island- you can expect a schedule that is the opposite of a lowkey, relaxing, inexpensive summer. The key to being able to do these things and have fun when you want is by restraining yourself on day-to-day unnecessary costs. Now I’m sure you have heard your mom say this to you a hundred times and it might be causing you to roll your eyes right now, but save up, sweetheart. Skip that Starbucks, pack a lunch, walk past your favorite store without going in. I believe in you.

Image contributed by Shannon Lucky

If you are planning to go into the fashion industry, I think it is better to tell you now…get ready to work.

My internship in New York City was great, but you do have to be thick-skinned and prepared to work hard. The excitement of life in the big apple is mesmerizing and could distract you from why you are really there, to advance your career! Don’t get caught up in the glitz and the glamour and take your eye off the prize for even a second. This is a highly competitive industry and if you don’t want to work for it, someone else will. Whatever area of interest you are planning on going into, keep this in mind.

Some highlights from my internship include getting to go to different trade shows and help my boss pick out yarns and fabrics for the Spring ‘20 collection. I also got to help make mood boards, make website designs, create outreach campaigns, manage several social media accounts, and much more. Working for a small company gave me so much experience and I am grateful for it. That being said, small companies are not for everyone. Especially if your internship is unpaid, like mine was. 

I hope I was able to shed a little light on what interning in NYC might look like if you are considering it going forward. Despite the expensive nature and competitive atmosphere of this choice, I believe it is worth it.

Well now that I have scared you all into being smart about your money and working hard in your career, enjoy the best city in the world. It has so much to offer, so soak it all in while you can!