A2X Consulting

The Glitz! The Glam! The Perks! That is typically what draws many people to interning in the fashion industry. What could be better than attending exclusive events and fashion shows or getting gifts and clothes? Well, before you get excited about all of the fabulous perks, you have to get your foot in the door first! This isn’t so easy. Getting into the fashion industry reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. Once you open one door, there are five other doors in all different shapes and sizes that you have to go through before you are able to get to the main door.

Networking

So how do you break through each door? NETWORKING. Join networking sites like  Meetup.com and LinkedIn. Also, Guestofaguest posts monthly calendars with all types of events that go on throughout the month. Most importantly, carry business cards when you go to events. Be proactive! The fashion industry is all about who you know. If you know the right person, it is common to bypass some of the roadblocks.

Don’t Be Discouraged

In addition to networking, you have to become accustomed to hearing “NO.” Being an only child, I wasn’t prepared for this but I quickly got over it. Don’t be discouraged! You may hear one hundred no’s and one yes. That one yes could be for an internship or job of a lifetime.

So, don’t be blinded by the glitz and glam. Get focused, network and stand tall when a door is closed, because another one will open.

By Candice N. Brown, freelance writer/PR intern. She can be reached at Candicenicol@gmail.com