Although I did not receive a check every other Friday, I don't like calling my internship unpaid.
This past summer I had the incredible opportunity to intern in New York City for 11 weeks. In October, last year, at the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend in New York, I met Danielle and Jodie Snyder, the dynamic sister duo behind the jewelry line, DANNIJO. From that day forward, I knew I was attached to the brand and the sisters. After a few emails and Skype interviews, I landed my dream internship.
Although this internship was unpaid, I learned more than I ever thought I would. I wasn't hesitant to accept the internship, but the fear of only spending money this summer, rather than making money, was always in the back of my mind.
I don’t like the words unpaid internship. Nothing about my experience this summer felt unpaid. Never once was I only making Starbucks runs or running errands around the city. Sure, sometimes I helped in those ways, but I wasn't isolated only to those tasks. Sometimes there is a negative connotation about an unpaid internship. We’ve all seen The Devil Wears Prada. However, my experience in the City was full of lessons learned and friendships made.
This internship in the concrete jungle molded me and forced me to be confident. I learned how to word an email, correctly and professionally; I learned what it was like to work for a small company; I learned that sometimes it is more valuable to sit and listen instead of always having an answer; and I learned that your opinion does matter.
I also learned how to navigate the subway, and that New York is expensive. I learned that this city offers you more experiences and networking opportunities than any other. I learned that it was possible to fall in love with a city.
I recommend an internship in New York City to anyone.
My dreams came true and I was taught more about the work world in these 11 weeks than school has taught me, thus far. If it’s your dream to intern in a big city with your favorite company, go for it. Because, somehow, in some lucky and unreal way, it could work out, just like it did for me.
Apply in December or January, and go for it! The City and internship will change your life, and maybe you won't want to call it unpaid, either.
