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.

Winter Wants.

I'm so poor it hurts. To be living in one of the most fashionable cities in the world and feeling sub-par and frumpy every single day hurts. I've got 4+ inches of nasty brown grow out going on, my bangs are long and stringy, and I don't even want to talk about my eyebrows. #thatunpaidinternlyfethough. So while I most likely won't be buying any updates for my closet for fall/winter, here is a list of the things I would buy if I could buy. Maybe a few of these things will end up in my possesission if I am really lucky. 

1. Thermal Rollers.

I want to try thermal rollers so bad! I have not so awesome memories of rollers from my childhood but, after watching and reading several how-tos I want to give them a try. I can always use some easily obtained added bounce.

2. MAC Rocky Horror Collab.

I accept literally anything from this collaboration. Particularly the nail polishes. 

3. Mid sleeve button ups. 

I want ALL of the neutral/stripe button ups, silk preferred, polyester accepted. 

4. Gap Jeggings. 

I tried on the jeggings at the Gap factory store over here in Bay Ridge. Instantly fell in love but, couldn't afford $35 on sale pants. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT MY ONLINE COUPON. 

5. Navy Parka.

I just really want a navy parka.

6. Swanky Heeled Boot Thing. 

I'm not sure of the formal name for these shoes, but I want them. Preferably in some kind of grey metallic color.

7. Creepers.

I've been dying for a pair of creepers ever since I saw the administrative assistant at Yigal Azrouel wearing a pair every day with cuffed skinny jeans looking chic as fuuuuuuk. I want in maroon or navy. Would look awesome with my new Gap jeggings. 

8. Chelsea Rain Boots.

Probably the most useful thing I could order. I might actually splurge and buy a pair from Target.com right now.. I've ruined so many flats here in the rains of New York. No more!

How to feel like you are getting something when you're broke and love to shop? Buy the rain boots, if your parentals ask what you are spending your money on you can justify this one. Especially if your parents are concerned with you getting sick. 

Rain+Flats= Wet Toes, Wet Toes=Wet Feet All Day, Wet Feet All Day= Some kind of sickness/virus/death.

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).

Blurred Life.

Hi, my name is Chandra and I need a real camera/picture taker. Did I circulate these photos on my Instagram 7 weeks ago? Yes, thank you Instagram time tracker dealio for a semi-accurate timeline of my postings. So much has happened in 7 weeks... so much more will be happening before this entire week is even finished. For the first time in a long time I have actually be praying for relief from this stress and emotional turmoil that is raging through me. Hence why I post these pictures. I look damn good, and sometimes you need to remember that you look damn good to be reminded things could be a lot worse. Cause looks are all that matter right? WRONG. But it helps knowing you can look good every now and then. #lifelesson #realtalk

(In case your wondering I totally took these photos with my laptops photobooth, and pretending the blur is some intentional/ironic/hipster knowledge thing.)

Sweater: Hotopicc

Skirt: Maurices

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Hat: Freakin Wal-Mart for $7.97

Beauty: To become more in depth in the future.

Dressing for work.

My work wear isn't to far off from my everyday outfit wear-age. Unless the only thing I have going on during said day is to go to the gym, then you best believe I am scrubbing it all day. I always like to bring my own style into work, really no matter what the atmosphere is. I am the Men's Department Supervisor/Assistant Manager at a store called Bealls in my hometown. I would call the dress code... well we don't really have a dress code. I guess its pants that aren't jeans, and shirts that don't have distracting graphics or words on them. My personal dress code usually consists of some form of legging/dress leggings (slack like material, oh my!), button up blouse usually in black, leopard print, or striped and some form of black flat. Once upon a time I use to wear blazers a lot to work for this job. Its summer, so I am probably not going to wear a blazer at any point but, I love the idea.

I am utterly obsessed with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream lip glosses and own 3 of them now. The particular shade pictured is my go to. I'm super pale with black hair and blue eyes so the shade looks bomb on me. I won't lie my personal Michael Kors watch is similar to the above but, better. My boyfriend bought me the Michael Kors heart earrings for our one year anniversary (celebrated on the 21st of July!) and I'm pretty smitten with them. Since I am an Assistant Manager I have a lot of keys, many of which I don't use. AKA I wear a lanyard.

Moral of the story, still do you at work. If I didn't dress the way I do at work and did wear, I don't know lets say.. flared slacks with orthopedic tennis shoes and some boring top, I'd just be sad all day. I feel my best at work when I am constantly checking myself out in the side mirrors.

So wear something you'd check yourself out in. End of story. 

Leopard and Repeat.

Due to the obvious re occurrence of this skirt you can tell these photos were probably took at the same time as my previous post. I've been obsessively wearing this shirt for the past two years or so, its ripping out but, you can't tell! 

Shirt-consignment store find in Corvallis, Oregon. Skirt- TJ Maxx American Eagle 

Watch- Michael Kors         Ring- Perfection
Photos: Revoir Designs