By: Alison LambertToday, I was surfing the Internet and checking out current trends for an interesting topic to write on. As I was perusing the many fashion sites I have saved under my top favorites, I thought about fashion PR and its emerging trends and landed upon my topic. Alltop is a website where you can go to find the most current PR blogs on any topics. From Alltop, I went into a fashion site called PR Couture. It has information from fashion PR and online trends to finding the right fashion agency for you. The website provides top fashion PR must-reads with links to blogs and online fashion media. Some are Fashionably Marketing, The Fashion Feed, and Fashionista. Those who are interested in fashion PR and want to know more can listen to PR Couture Radio.
The one guest article that caught my eye written by Vianka McConville, a recent University of Florida grad with a B.S. in Public Relations. The article "Fashion PR Intern Series: 5 Steps To Land Your First PR Internship," Vianka talks about how she obtains and utilized internships, which ultimately lead her into her career in the fashion world. She spent her freshman year at the University of Florida taking classes to decide her career path. After realizing she wanted to practice PR, she had four internships in three years. She worked with two small agencies, a credit union and a student-run firm, leaning invaluable lessons that made her more marketable. Through the experience she gained at her internships, Vianka was able to get a job in fashion PR when she graduated. Through the article, Vianka (pictured above at work) gives five “words of wisdom” on how she successfully acquired a fashion PR internship.
1. Build a portfolio: The hardest part of completing internships is landing the first one. Many agencies expect you to already have experience. Ironic, since that is why people are applying for the internship…to gain experience. Be proactive and publish pieces in the student or city newspaper, local magazines, credible blogs and newsletters. If those outlets are not available, create your own blog or newspaper.
2. Personalize your search: Ask friends, family, professors, mentors, teacher’s assistants, co-workers and everyone else you may know about opportunities. It is always better to have a personal email address, phone number or accurate salutation for your cover letter than to send out a rough resume. You never know who might know someone who knows someone who is looking.
3. Find the right fit: Have a vision for your career and find companies that fall in line with your goals. Look for internships that will prepare you to work at your dream company. If you are lucky enough to live in the city where your dream company is, don’t wait for an available internship. Instead, introduce yourself to the company in question, and don’t be afraid to let your passion (and knowledge) shine through in your cover letter. Also, get the names of former interns and invite them to coffee. It does not hurt to get an opinion from someone who has already had former experience.
4. Learn to love the interview: Calm your nerves and do your homework on the company. Find out the name and background of the CEO, know about how many people are on staff, how much the firm bills in a year, mission, vision, goals, and its clients. Researching these facts will help you make a personal connection during the interview. In addition, coming prepared with a few questions of your own or anecdotes will help you to interview the agency at the same time that the employee is interviewing you.
5. Don’t let the “U” word turn you away-Unpaid: Yes, working for nothing can be overwhelming, and if you are like most, you will have another job to pay the college bills. But the experience will be worth it. Plus, you will have a greater understanding and appreciation for journalism and reporters. The temporary monetary sacrifice led to higher pay and other rewards at future positions. Consider it.
Work it- Once you earn the internship, share your opinions. Don’t be afraid to apply what you learn in class or to ask questions, doing so shows that you are paying attention. Most employers will notice when you thinking critically. It shows your intelligence, dedication and eagerness to learn. By looking for problem solving opportunities or taking on responsibility, you leave a good impression on your supervisor and solidify yourself as a valuable employee and team player. Plus, if you do these, you might get hired on full time in the end!
The one guest article that caught my eye written by Vianka McConville, a recent University of Florida grad with a B.S. in Public Relations. The article "Fashion PR Intern Series: 5 Steps To Land Your First PR Internship," Vianka talks about how she obtains and utilized internships, which ultimately lead her into her career in the fashion world. She spent her freshman year at the University of Florida taking classes to decide her career path. After realizing she wanted to practice PR, she had four internships in three years. She worked with two small agencies, a credit union and a student-run firm, leaning invaluable lessons that made her more marketable. Through the experience she gained at her internships, Vianka was able to get a job in fashion PR when she graduated. Through the article, Vianka (pictured above at work) gives five “words of wisdom” on how she successfully acquired a fashion PR internship.
1. Build a portfolio: The hardest part of completing internships is landing the first one. Many agencies expect you to already have experience. Ironic, since that is why people are applying for the internship…to gain experience. Be proactive and publish pieces in the student or city newspaper, local magazines, credible blogs and newsletters. If those outlets are not available, create your own blog or newspaper.
2. Personalize your search: Ask friends, family, professors, mentors, teacher’s assistants, co-workers and everyone else you may know about opportunities. It is always better to have a personal email address, phone number or accurate salutation for your cover letter than to send out a rough resume. You never know who might know someone who knows someone who is looking.
3. Find the right fit: Have a vision for your career and find companies that fall in line with your goals. Look for internships that will prepare you to work at your dream company. If you are lucky enough to live in the city where your dream company is, don’t wait for an available internship. Instead, introduce yourself to the company in question, and don’t be afraid to let your passion (and knowledge) shine through in your cover letter. Also, get the names of former interns and invite them to coffee. It does not hurt to get an opinion from someone who has already had former experience.
4. Learn to love the interview: Calm your nerves and do your homework on the company. Find out the name and background of the CEO, know about how many people are on staff, how much the firm bills in a year, mission, vision, goals, and its clients. Researching these facts will help you make a personal connection during the interview. In addition, coming prepared with a few questions of your own or anecdotes will help you to interview the agency at the same time that the employee is interviewing you.
5. Don’t let the “U” word turn you away-Unpaid: Yes, working for nothing can be overwhelming, and if you are like most, you will have another job to pay the college bills. But the experience will be worth it. Plus, you will have a greater understanding and appreciation for journalism and reporters. The temporary monetary sacrifice led to higher pay and other rewards at future positions. Consider it.
Work it- Once you earn the internship, share your opinions. Don’t be afraid to apply what you learn in class or to ask questions, doing so shows that you are paying attention. Most employers will notice when you thinking critically. It shows your intelligence, dedication and eagerness to learn. By looking for problem solving opportunities or taking on responsibility, you leave a good impression on your supervisor and solidify yourself as a valuable employee and team player. Plus, if you do these, you might get hired on full time in the end!
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