By Caroline Vazzana
This post originally appeared on the blog, Making Manhattan.
Whether you’re starting your first job, or just landed your very first internship, this is a moment for you to make an impression on your new boss. When I landed my first internship at Anna Sui, a women’s wear designer located in the middle of the garment district, I couldn’t wait to get into the hustle and bustle of New York City every morning. From there I went onto intern with Marie Claire Magazine and the year after that, I landed my first job as a fashion assistant at Teen Vogue. During all of these experiences, I’ve learned tips and tricks to stand out on the job — in the right way. Below, you’ll find four ways to rock your internship and be a total #GirlBoss in no time.
Come in Early At my internships I always came in at least ten if not twenty minutes early. Arriving early gives you a great advantage. You’ll spend more time with your boss and get to know them more quickly. You’ll also feel much calmer and can take get a jump-start on projects. When you’re running behind in the morning, that anxious feeling can follow you into the office.
Don’t be Afraid to Speak Up When I was interning at Marie Claire, my boss was going to Miami Swim Week in July and told me that I could take off the time she was going to be out. Instead, I asked her if she would be open to me spending the time in another department while she was away. I ended up working in the beauty department for a week and gained even more experience to round out my resume.
Offer to Take on More Responsibility Whenever your boss asks, “Can someone do [insert assignment here]?” be the first person to jump up and say, “YES!” The more often you volunteer for tasks (and do them well), the more your boss will come to you with projects. And, the more successful your projects are, the more likely you’ll be to take on important ones.
Dress the Part No matter if you’re getting coffee or sitting in on a pitch meeting, dress your best. It’s important to come to work each day polished, poised, and professional. Consider adding timeless pieces to your wardrobe like a wispy floral dress, black pencil skirt, and classic shoe that you can mix and match with trendier items in your closet.
Caroline Vazzana is a fashion writer, editor, and stylist living and working in her hometown of New York. She’s worked for Anna Sui, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, and InStyle. She has collaborated with designers including Betsey Johnson and Diane Von Furstenberg, and has styled celebrities for various red carpets like the MTV Video Music Awards and Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Caroline is currently the Founder & Creative Director of MakingManhattan.com where she hopes to shed light on the industry to the future fashion generation. Make sure to follow her everywhere @cvazzana for an inside look into her day to day in NYC.
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