How to Not Suck at Your Fashion Magazine Internship

Congrats, you're an intern! Make the most of it.

June 7, 2013

Image via Complex Original

Beyond The Devil Wears Prada, there's still a huge contingent of people who want to work for a fashion magazine. We know what it's like, plenty of us held down internships in the past, and we always have a new crop of them each semester. You know who can also relate? Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, whose film The Internship drops today.

Internships at a magazine are different than working for a tech giant like Google though. That said, there's plenty of ways to waste a good opportunity, and also some guidelines that won't just help you at your internship, but in a professional setting in general. Since Revenge Wears Prada also dropped this week, we put together some pointers on how to impress a boss as demanding as Miranda Priestly. Here's How to Not Suck At Your Fashion Magazine Internship.

Be punctual.

Your professor may not bat an eye if you show up late for a class, but you can't pull that in the real world. When an editor needs something done ASAP, and you're not there because you're hungover/slept through your alarm/had a "thing," that's on you. Yes, emergencies happen, but tardiness should be an exception, and not the status quo. Besides, you should want to make the most of your time in the office—it's the only way to actually learn the ins and outs of the industry.

Have realistic expectations.

In very, very, very rare cases, interns get the opportunity to do things like write cover stories or style shoots, but that comes from a combination of timing, luck, and a multitude of factors beyond anyone's control. For the most part, you'll get stuck doing different things—not necessarily grunt work, but don't be surprised if you have to run samples back to showrooms or transcribe hour-long interviews in between doing article research or fact checking. Come in hungry and ready for anything, because there's no such thing as "a typical day."

Know which talents and skills you hope to improve upon or gain.

Are you trying to develop a writing voice? Want to get better at interviewing other people? Don't know the first thing about how social media works? These are all things you can learn more about from the professionals. The thing is, you're literally surrounded by people who do this for a living—and you're there to make their lives easier. In turn, they can be mentors and valuable resources. Whether you hit them up for advice on how to improve your writing, or ask what you can do to become better at Twitter, the people you intern for are much, much, more than just a potential reference or LinkedIn connection.

Set measurable goals for yourself.

Channel Mario Balotelli and set attainable goals for the end of your internship. Are you hoping to get something published online? Are you hoping to meet ten new people in the industry? Perhaps your goal is to establish a few new professional relationships that could lead to a job down the line. Make specific goals that you can look back on at the end of the internship, check off if successful, and feel totally accomplished. Pat yourself on the back, if necessary.

Be hyper-aware of the product and culture.

Here's the thing about people who say they have a "passion for fashion." What they mean is "I really love the idea of clothes and trends, but otherwise I have no idea what I'm talking about." Behind the glamorous fashion shows and expensive, beautiful clothes, there is an entire industry of faceless people who aren't models, designers, or celebrities—and you will probably work with or for them. Like any boss, you can get a good or bad one, but what matters is that you are totally aware of what's going on in that world. That means doing things as simple as reading the magazine you're interning for.

How do you expect to contribute anything new or different when you have no idea what's already been said, or what people are talking about? Yes, an internship can be mentally and physically taxing—running around town, spending hours looking at spreadsheets and blog posts, but that's also what it's like when you're a full-time employee. It feels like a job because well, it kind of is one. The difference is that you're still paying your dues. But, if you show that you have a serious grasp of current trends, buzzed about brands, and young designers—and fresh ideas on how to cover them, you'll definitely get noticed.

Make friends with fellow interns.

No one will sympathize with you more than the other people in the trenches. Chances are you won't be the only intern working. So why not make the most of it and take the opportunity to reach out and see how you can help each other? All real jobs rely on a balance of teamwork and independence, so it's best to start developing your "professional self" at an internship. Maybe you don't know where a certain building is or haven't found a good lunch spot—ask an intern who does.

Put yourself out there.

"Networking" doesn't mean following someone on Twitter and adding someone on LinkedIn. Most internships afford you the opportunity of living in a city like New York, bustling with culture, shops, and hundreds of like-minded people. You're also probably going to meet plenty of people in the industry you would give your left arm to work for, so why not introduce yourself? At worst—you land yourself another internship, at best—you're one step closer to your dream job. Shaking someone's hand and meeting them in person is ten thousand times more legitimate than an @mention on Twitter.

Ask questions.

If you don't know how to do something or are stumped with a task, ask for help. Maintaining an open line of communication is one of the most integral parts of operating in a professional environment. Whoever assigned it to you will be more than happy to explain what exactly needs to be done—because if you don't do it right, then they have to fix it. It's true how the saying goes—there's no such thing as stupid questions... just stupid people.

Be proactive without being annoying.

There's a difference between being eager and being a brown-noser. Don't ever try to suck up to people, but do try to do a good job. Yes, you might work with people whose work you admire, whose steps you follow on Twitter and Instagram, but keep in mind you're here to put in work, and they got here by doing that too. Prove yourself with your work ethic, not your compliments. And if you finish a task, don't hesitate to ask for another one—the worst thing you could do at an internship is look bored. There's always something going on at a magazine, so don't be afraid to ask who needs a hand.

You're not "above" anything. You're an intern.

When you sign up for an internship, you check your pride at the door. Some entitled people have gone as far as suing the places they interned, which burns bridges quicker than a firehose of gas and a flamethrower. No one said working at a fashion rag would be easy or glamorous—and it usually isn't. Think about how long you'd stay away from meat after a thorough tour of a sausage factory. That said, it's still rewarding if you're passionate about it. It's one of the things in life that you get as much as you put into it—so put on your best shit-eating grin and make the most of it. Maybe in ten years you'll be successful, but also have learned a lot from your time as an intern—and possibly have a hilarious memory of walking 80 blocks to get Diddy the perfect slice of cheesecake.