Showing posts with label internships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label internships. Show all posts

Monday, February 2, 2015

Observations On: Unpaid vs. Paid Internships


Someday I should probably have quality photos of myself taken. Today is not that day. I get to weird and to shy when somebody else turns the camera on me. Side note: This is like my go-to interview outfit, that is probably bad and probably needs to change. Somebody please employ me long enough so that I might purchase a more appropriate outfit. This was yet another rather uneventful week. 3 interviews, one job offered but, it turned out to be a paid internship instead of an assistant position like the original posting said, one was a follow up interview from a group interview the week before - and this is the one I really hope works out, and the last one was a place I never gave much thought to but, the fabulous man who interviewed me made it sound very appealing and like it would be the most educational of the 3. So.. Dear World, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for a job please let one of these workout already!

Things your college programs/internship instructors might not tell you: After you've had at least 3 unpaid internships it actually seems harder to get a paid position. The company knows you were willing to work for free in the past and they also know you want to "learn more" about your given choice of field so they will continue to offer you unpaid positions because, they know they can get you with the whole you'll get more experience and be more hirable blah blah blah. Hold out. I am holding out. It might not work out for me in the long run but, I refuse to be a dish washing sample checker-inner anymore. At least an unpaid one. When you are looking for your first internships look for paid ones, if you have some retail experience and skills that pertain to the internship you might be more likely to find a paid one. Based off of my own experiences I feel like companies have more respect for you and will be more likely to want to pay you if you've had paid internships vs. unpaid ones. Or maybe I am completely wrong, who knows but, this is what I have observed.

I will however be making some money this glorious week of February 2nd- 6th as I will be freelancing with One Kings Lane. I am sure I will develop some very strong opinions on freelancing here soon and will post about them accordingly.


Saturday, September 27, 2014

The First 264 Hours.


Mandatory Portland International feet/carpet photo.
My boo took me to see my tween-now style idol and role model. Dita is so effortlessly sexy.
What I wore to my BPCM internship interview.
What I wore to literally walk around the streets in, and wound up finding a help wanted sign outside of a small boutique.

My first 264 hours in New York have been crazy! For some odd reason I keep saying my start days for jobs/internships are Friday instead of Monday, who does that? Who says they'll start on a Friday? I guess I do. I started last week at a particular PR company and actually loved how nice everyone was but, I wasn't really about that sit around for 3+ hours of the day waiting for a task life. Halfway through my 2nd week, AKA Tuesday I had an interview with BPCM to be a fall intern and knowing they have a lot of accounts and opportunities I quickly jumped on board.

 I've also literally applied to over 30 retail based jobs online, had one formal interview and they've been contacting my references this weekend. However, said job is two transfers on the Subway and an hour commute from where I am living out in Brooklyn. Thankfully, today on my wanderings around my neighborhood I found a help wanted sign outside of a small boutique. Went in not wearing what I would like to of been wearing the first time I apply for a job but, what do you do when you see a HELP WANTED sign and you are WANTING? I start training Tuesday and am ecstatic that I am working within walking distance of where I am living.

Moral of the story, apply to all of the internships before you get to the city so you can have some options. Apply to all of the jobs. Don't be afraid to walk into stores with help wanted signs, even if you don't have you resume on you. KEEP YOUR RESUME ON YOUR PHONE OR IPAD (whatever one you keep on you).