She Strengthens

The Internship Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

Getting Ahead in the Fashion Industry

When I was in college, I thought the secret to success in the fashion industry was to land multiple internships. I believed that applying what I learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios and building a professional network would guarantee me a spot at the top. So, I did three internships: visual merchandising for a well-known brand, trend forecasting for an agency, and marketing for another agency.

The Unprofessional Habits That Held Me Back

However, looking back, I realize that I had some unprofessional characteristics that could have cost me my job. My friends and I would often vent about our internships, complaining about low pay, annoying bosses, and incompetent colleagues. But during one of those conversations, I realized that I was guilty of some of the same mistakes.

My Top 5 Internship Mistakes

Here are the five ways I was a terrible intern:

1. Chronic Tardiness

I thought producing high-quality work would make up for my tardiness. But showing up late demonstrated a lack of dedication to the job and disrespect to my employer. My tardiness made me look unreliable, and I was often given menial tasks that didn’t require deadlines.

2. Fear of Asking Questions

I thought I was expected to know everything about visual operations and fashion agencies. Instead of asking questions, I spent too much time Googling answers, which made me look incompetent. My supervisor would have appreciated my humility and willingness to learn if I had just asked for help.

3. Misguided Initiative

I took initiative, but poorly. I would respond to emails without checking with my manager, which sometimes led to misunderstandings. I should have asked for guidance before taking action.

4. Doing the Bare Minimum

After mastering my daily tasks, I would finish quickly and spend my extra time on non-essential activities. I could have used that time to improve my skills, learn more about the company, or take on additional responsibilities.

5. Failing to Network

After my internship ended, I would send generic emails to my coworkers, but nobody would follow up. I didn’t make an effort to develop a professional network, and I didn’t leave a lasting impression on my employers.

Learning from My Mistakes

Looking back, I’m surprised I wasn’t fired. But I’ve learned from my mistakes and gone on to make great impressions and build professional relationships. If you’re an intern, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Take initiative, ask questions, and demonstrate your dedication to your job and employer.