If you’re from New England or the tristate area, you may not have heard of Ross Stores. But for millions of people around the country, Ross is a place for incredible deals on clothing, shoes, home goods, accessories, and more.

They’re also the employer of hundreds of new grads from a wide array of retail, business, and economics-related majors in roles that have the ability to drive the off-price retail industry forward. Thanks to their incredible culture of growth, development, and work-life balance, those same new grads love working there.

Here’s a look at how Ross Stores operates—and why it’s the perfect place for interns and new grads.

‘Dress For Less,’ But Expect More

“Ross is an off-price retailer, so that means we’re all about opportunistic buying,” Carolyn, a Recruiting Manager at the Company, tells us.

And “opportunistic buying” means the team at Ross goes to bat for their customers every day by hunting down the best opportunities to buy high-quality brands at below-market prices. That’s why when you see a brand available at a Ross or dd’s DISCOUNTS (another chain in the Ross Stores family), it costs far less than it would at a competing department store.

“When a department store cancels an order, the vendor is left with merchandise. Ross buyers go in and we negotiate for that merchandise, which is why you’ll see the same product on the floor of a Ross that you will at a department store—at almost the same time—but for drastically different prices,” Carolyn explains. Ross drives exceptional value for the customer.

However, that buying process is not so simple, and it takes careful planning to know which goods to look for and when. And that’s where two of Ross’ key entry-level roles come into play.

Buyers And Planners

In the Ross buying offices, there are two primary roles filled by new grads and current college students in internship positions: Assistant Planner and Assistant Buyer. While these terms might seem familiar to anyone versed in the retail industry, Planners and Buyers operate differently at Ross.

“What we do here is special because they can have a large impact, helping to drive our business,” Carolyn says. “The Assistant Planner role is looking at the regions in which we have our stores and strategically deciding which products should go to which regions at what time.”

This means looking at data, trends, and availability to answer questions like, “When should we start selling bathing suits in South Florida?” and “When should we stop selling winter coats in the Midwest?”

Once the Planning team determines the need and strategy, it’s up to the Buying team to fulfill those demands. That means maintaining and managing relationships with vendors, searching for buying opportunities, and ultimately negotiating those deals.

These energetic buying offices are placed strategically throughout the country, but the primary office is in New York, which is where all the Company’s planners work. There are offices in Los Angeles and Boston for buyers, too.

Working At Ross Means Becoming A Part Of A Humble, Compassionate Family (With Serious Perks)

Despite being industry leaders in the fast-paced, competitive world of retail, the company culture of Ross Stores is one of respect, humility, and compassion. They’re genuinely interested in providing value to everyone involved in their business: vendors, the communities they serve, and their own team.

“We strive to be a humble company,” Carolyn says. “We value our vendors as much as they value us. It’s really a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Ross applies the same compassionate philosophy to their employees. The offices are communal environments with plenty of teammates in adjacent roles who are able to help each other out with projects. Their approach to work-life balance is particularly popular. In addition to their generous paid time off package, company Buying offices shut down entirely during the last week of December.  Additionally, their Summer Fridays program shuts down offices at 1 o’clock on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“And,” Carolyn says, “they’re truly Summer Fridays. Everybody leaves at 1 o’clock.”

If their Fridays weren’t sweet enough, they also have Bagel Fridays, during which the company buys New York’s signature breakfast item for everyone on the team. (Folks in the Los Angeles office get Bagel Mondays.)

The Company is also known for their financial perks. Qualified employees are given the option to purchase Ross stock at a discounted price, as well as participate in a 401k program with a generous company match.  On top of all of this, many early career roles are eligible for annual bonuses.

Finally, they give back to the community. Through involvement with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Good Plus Foundation, and the Educational Alliance, the team at Ross donates significant resources to causes that help children and new parents.  All associates, regardless of level, can get involved in philanthropic activities.

From breakfast to their financial futures, Ross has their employees covered.

Find your future at a company that cares. Check out open opportunities at Ross Stores on WayUp!

The post You May Not Have Heard Of This Multibillion-Dollar Retail Company—But It’s The Perfect Place To Start Your Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Are you smart? Ambitious? Driven? Adventurous?

Jobs that let you be all of these things are hard to find, but luckily, we’ve got one company in mind that constantly looks for people who strive to be the best: Leading clothing retailer, Charlotte Russe.

Want to hear more about what it takes to rock it at CR? Check out the five traits their most successful team members have in common, and since we know this is going to be a match made in heaven, apply to their [positions] on WayUp right now!

1. Adventurous Spirit

Are you ready to dive in and try anything? Working in retail is about taking any challenge head-on, and the best team members at Charlotte Russe aren’t afraid of any obstacle. They know that in order to be the best, you need to step right in and make a difference (but you can still have a little fun too!).

2. Flexibility

When it comes to working in retail, no two days are alike, so you’ll have to know how to be flexible and adaptable, no matter what comes your way. Whether that’s helping a customer find the perfect pair of dark-wash jeans (hey, it’s a struggle!) or aiding a fellow team member with inventory, no job is too big or too small.

3. Always Ready to Go

One of the core values of Charlotte Russe is being constantly ready to move upward, and its entire team, both on the floor of its retail stores and in its corporate office, knows how important it is to be ambitious. Success is in the DNA at Charlotte Russe, so its employees are always ready to step up and do whatever it takes.

4. Entrepreneurial

Charlotte Russe’s CEO Jenny Ming has spent her entire career in retail, so she understands and appreciates the importance of always hustling and reaching new heights. Whether that’s hitting a lofty sales goal or working to become part of the leadership team, Charlotte Russe’s best team members set their sights on ambitious dreams—and they achieve them.

5. Excited to Learn

One of Charlotte Russe’s key values is being able to lead with intent, and that goes hand in hand with promoting great teamwork and making every person feel valued. The strongest members of the company are already great employees, but they work best when they team up with others.

If you were nodding your head like crazy while reading these five traits, chances are you’d be a great fit for Charlotte Russe’s team. Apply to work for them on WayUp now. 

The post 5 Surprising Personality Traits That Make You the Perfect Fit For a Job in Retail appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article is sponsored by JCPenney, which is hiring Digital Technology and E-Commerce Summer Interns on WayUp right now.

What’s it like to work for one of the most historic retail brands in American history? JCPenney might be turning 115 this year (yes, it was founded in 1902!), but the company is still one of the most innovative organizations around. In fact, JCP has some of the most cutting-edge technology out there, and its team members are incredibly excited about the projects they get to work on.

If you want your shot at building some amazing products for a company that’s been around for over a century, now’s your chance: JCPenney is hiring Digital Technology/E-Commerce Summer Interns on WayUp now, and if you want a taste of what you could be doing, check out the project team members at JCP are working on now.

1. Creative Engineering That Makes the Shopping Experience Fun

“We are developing Android and iOS applications that help our customers find and purchase products that are both relevant and exciting to [them]. We are innovating by working with partners who are the best at what they do in the technology space. I love coming in every morning and reviewing the data to see what is working or not (and that’s okay!). Data helps us refine our process and produce top quality products – but it’s the creativity of the team that gives us the spark to create in the first place.” – Karl, Senior Manager

One of the best parts about working on a tech team for a major retailer is that creativity matters a lot. You’re not just coding apps; you’re taking on the challenge of making the shopping experience as amazing as possible from someone’s phone!

2. Tablet App Designs That Make Browsing Easy

“Currently, I am working on creating a native tablet experience for the JCPenney apps. As design lead for the native apps, I have the pleasure of ensuring true user-centric designs are implemented to our customer’s digital experience. Being able to positively impact millions of customers for such an iconic brand while working in a ‘startup’ framework environment is what excites me the most about my work here at JCPenney.” – Matt, UX Design Lead

By creating a startup-like environment where team members are free to share ideas and constantly reiterate, new product updates are released constantly, and everyone’s kept on their toes. In the case of JCPenney, being a big organization just means adding more enthusiastic, smart, and insightful voices into the mix.

3. Push Notifications That Make the Experience Better

“The coolest thing I’ve worked on at JCPenney was the push notifications research. I was asked to look into how to get push notifications on the JCPenney mobile website. This involved searching the web for third parties who offer that service, then planning how to integrate it within JCPenney. This was really cool because I was able to start it from scratch, and got to work with many people at JCP, including the sales and analytics teams, to decide how we should integrate a third party service. It helped me learn about different teams and their roles within the company, and I was able to bring insights back to my own team.” – Cameron, Software Engineer Co-Op

If you’re surrounded by so many smart, intelligent people, why wouldn’t you pick their brains as you work on new projects? At JCPenney, any initiative is truly a team effort, with members of several departments pitching in to see how their ideas can go from brainstorm to final product.

A team that lets you work with others, take initiative, and learn new skills? We don’t get what you’re waiting for! JCPenney is hiring Digital Technology/E-Commerce Summer Interns on WayUp right now, so you’re going to want to fill out that application before the deadline approaches.

The post 3 JCPenney Employees Reveal the Coolest Things They’re Working on Right Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Balancing school, work, extracurricular, and personal life responsibilities can be a lot, and no one knows this better than the busy students who are part of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP).

Since 2014, Starbucks has offered its employees the ability to pursue their education through an online partnership with Arizona State University, a huge perk that thousands of team members have taken. The program makes you work on your time management abilities, but as any college student knows, the payoff is worth it.

If you want a couple of pointers for juggling everything from people who get what you’re going through, here are their top five tips for staying grounded and stress-free. And if you like what you see, good news: Starbucks is hiring baristas nationwide.

1. Take Time to Plan

“I am very strategic with my time to ensure I have a healthy balance between work, school, and my personal life. At the start of the term, I ensure that all due dates are put into my personal calendar to help with my planning. I have learned that my calendar is my life, otherwise I will forget something! Additionally, I always protect a ‘rest’ day (typically Mondays); this is a day where I do nothing except rest (don’t open a book). This [is], of course, flexible to accommodate my schedules.” – Kyle, Business (Global Leadership) major

Planning might seem overrated, but when you’re trying to juggle your school, work, and personal lives, you’ll be glad you’ve taken time to understand what’s expected of you and how you should schedule your days.

And the idea of having a rest day? It’s critical to putting your best foot forward and feeling refreshed to take on whatever comes your way.

2. Work (and Play) Smart

“The first thing I do during the first week of class is look at my syllabus and time how long it takes for me to complete assignments, that way I can plan my homework schedule around my work schedule. I buy all of my textbooks on my Kindle, or even better, on Audible.com if its available. I find it very time efficient if I can read or listen to my books on my commute home from work, or while I’m on the elliptical at the gym. Lastly, be intentional with scheduling time for your social life, and turn your phone off and leave your laptop at home so you can remain present.” – Ashley, Mass Communications and Media Studies major

When you have a lot to do, it’s easy to get burned out if you’re not thinking about how best to utilize your time. When are times when you can multitask and accomplish several to-dos at once? Use those moments.

3. Build a Network

“Returning to school through SCAP is an amazing benefit, and I want to get the most out of my educational experience. I have gone back to using a paper planner to manage all of my commitments. One thing that has really helped is communicating workload to close friends and family. This helps them understand what schoolwork I have coming up and, as an added bonus, I have found that I have a great support system!” – Rob, Communications major

Being a college student is challenging no matter what your major, extracurriculars, or work commitments, so being able to find friends and family members you can lean on can make all the difference.

Stressing over finals? Have a late night snack with a friend as a study break. Going home after a long week? You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel when your mom does your laundry for you. It’s the little things that make the difference.

4. Utilize Extra Time

“At the beginning of every session I look at my syllabus and calendar then map out where my assignments are due. I organize my time each week around my deadlines similar to what I do with work projects. Anytime I can study while being “idle” I take advantage. You can study anywhere, really; an example is during my nephew’s football practice. Instead of taking time to drive home and back, I stay at the field and complete my weekly readings for the class. It’s all about maximizing time.” – Melissa, Organizational Leadership major

You might look at your schedule and think about have absolutely no extra time to devote to studying or working on extracurriculars, but when you’re honest with yourself, you’re sure to find gaps where you can get everything done.

5. Set Boundaries

“I make sure that there are boundaries set at work so I don’t work later then I should. I don’t take too many classes and I schedule my classes so I do work everyday. I don’t have much of a social life but I do try to take a break if I am feeling overwhelmed.” – Jessi, Graphic Information Technology major

One of the hardest things to do in college is to say no from time to time, but it’s absolutely necessary for keeping yourself sane and on track.

Before you take on another commitment (whether it be another class, club, or job), ask yourself these questions:

• What do I gain from doing this that I can’t get from the commitments I already have?
• What time commitment does this require? Do I have time to do work outside of the commitment if need be?
• If I needed to spend more time on this commitment, what would I drop to find that time?

Want to work for a company that values students who balance school, work, and life (and also knows a thing or two about good coffee)? Starbucks is currently hiring baristas on WayUp!

Starbucks is dedicated to helping 25,000 employees graduate by 2025 by providing full tuition reimbursement for a bachelor’s degree via Arizona State University’s online program. You only have to work an average of 20 hours per week to access this exciting benefit as well as many others (free drinks, free food, health coverage, 401k, stock, and a free Premium Spotify account to name a few!). You can learn more about the Starbucks College Achievement Plan here.

Starbucks Barista-Approved Drink Combo: “I enjoy an Iced Starbucks Double Shot with either Vanilla or Toffee Nut. It’s a nice boost of caffeine that has a well balanced flavor of coffee and sweetness! Tasty!” – Kyle, Business (Global Leadership) major

Barista Application Tip!

Did you know you can submit your application to up to 5 stores at one time? In order to stand out after submitting your application, stop by the store(s) you applied to and introduce yourself to the manager or shift supervisor. Let them know you recently applied and what excites you about the opportunity. If you don’t get a call for an interview within 60 days, you can re-apply to the same or different stores. Good luck!

The post 5 Starbucks Student-Employees Give Their Biggest Tips For Balancing Work, School, And Life appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article is sponsored by Rover. See if you qualify to become a Rover pet sitter or dog walker here.

Finding a steady job in college that allows you to create your own schedule and have a lot of fun can be hard to come by. Does such a gig even exist? Spoiler alert: It does.

Dog lovers, rejoice: You can become a dog sitter with Rover this fall, and you can set your own hours, make serious cash, and most importantly, play with adorable dogs all day long.

What are the other life-changing parts of working as a dog sitter? Five rockstar Rover sitters weigh in.

1. You Meet So Many Different Types of Dogs

“The best part of being a dog sitter for Rover.com is the amount of love and laughs I receive from my dog buddies! I love how each dog is different, yet each trusts me, loves me, and becomes my buddy. I have enjoyed all sorts of personalities from the most chill of dogs to the quirkiest that simply crack me up!” – Sandra; Sacramento, California

Dogs, like people, come in all shapes and sizes, and no two pups are alike. One thing’s for sure: You’ll never get bored as a dog sitter.

2. You Make Your Own Schedule

“I can be flexible with my schedule and set my own rates; it feels like my very own business in many ways. Each day that I’m scheduled to watch a dog, I look forward to the perfect break in my day to spend time with them. Rover allows me to be the dog lover that I am while being rewarded for my time, in more ways than one.” – Melissa; Mountain View, California

You’re in control, including of your own calendar. And hey, dog sitting is an awesome break from the bustle of daily life!

3. You Interact With Fellow Dog Lovers

“As a Rover sitter, I get to meet tons of new pets, as well as their wonderful owners. I absolutely love getting to come home to each unique fur baby.” – Marianne; Baltimore, Maryland

It’s not just the dogs who are incredible—their owners are great, too! By becoming a dog sitter, you get to interact with so many people who care about dogs and their well-being just as much as you do. What could be better?

4. You Can Impact a Dog’s Life

“I find it very rewarding to see the transformation that many dogs make while staying with me. Some dogs come to me very anxious, stressed, or nervous but are able to decompress, relax, and even make friends! I love sending them home as more confident dogs that feel good about themselves and look forward to coming back!” – Samantha; Birmingham, Alabama

While hanging out with dogs can be amazing for your own physical and mental health, spending time with a loving sitter can make all the difference in a dog’s life, too.

5. You Gain a Companion

“Ever since I officially started living on my own, I realized that I’ve missed having that special companion to spend time with. I discovered Rover and now I get to spend time with a variety of different breeds. I especially like Rover because I am getting paid to spend time with dogs (a dream come true)!” – Nicole; Ann Arbor, Michigan

Not able to have a dog of your own? That doesn’t mean you can’t get in on all the puppy love.

If you want to get in on the action, there’s great news: Rover is looking for dog lovers (like you!) to become sitters and dog walkers. See if you qualify on WayUp here.

The post What’s It Like to Be a Dog Sitter? 5 Rover Sitters Break Down the Coolest Parts appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Summer is here. It’s the season for travel, seeing friends from home, beach trips, ice cream, and so much more. But these activities can get expensive! To help you make extra cash this summer, we’ve put together a list of jobs any college student can get, no matter what your experience level or your location.

Dog Sitting and Dog Walking ($15-25/hr)

Dog lovers – this one’s for you. Spend your summer getting paid to hang out with other people’s dogs. Choose your own schedule and get outdoors as you enjoy the company of your new best friends. Added bonus for guys: This is sure to get you attention from the ladies.

Choose from companies like Rover and Walkio, or apply to both to get more requests (and cash)!

Locations: Rover: All 50 states; Walkio: Currently in FL, GA, IN, NC, TN, TX

Apply to Rover and Walkio!

ASICS Brand Ambassador ($15/hour)

Get the inside scoop of one of the biggest athletic retailers in America by showing off new ASICS products. Best part? You’ll get a free pair of ASICS shoes when you represent this premier running company from July through September.

Locations: All 50 States

Apply to ASICS!

Nannying and Babysitting ($15 to $25/hr)

Love working with kids? Be an occasional date night sitter, part- or full-time nanny, or mother’s helper. As a babysitter or nanny, you’ll be able to set your own rates and keep up to 100% of what you make.

Choose from companies like Sitter and UrbanSitter – or apply to both to get more requests (and cash)!

Locations: Sitter: All 50 states; UrbanSitter: AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, FL, IL, MA, MN, NC, NV, NY, PA, OR, TX, WA

Mover / Bellhop (up to $20/hr)

Get in shape while making money by helping people move. As a Bellhop, you get to choose your own hours so you can make extra cash whenever is best for you. Best of all, you get to choose your teammates so you can work with your friends!

Location: All 50 states

Apply to Bellhops!

Cutco Products (very high pay)

This classic job for college students has been around for a while because successful reps make lots of money. Work as much or as little as you’d like around your own summer schedule. There is NO cold calling involved. Meet with people either in person or on Skype – whatever works for you!

Location: All 50 states

Apply to Vector Marketing!

Starbucks Barista (competitive pay)

Love coffee? So do we. Working for Starbucks gets you awesome perks like a free bag of coffee every week, one free food and drink item every shift, 30% off all additional menu items and, of course, smelling like coffee all the time. Plus, employees who work more than 20 hours per week are also eligible for medical benefits.

Starbucks is one of the biggest employers of college students in the USA — more than 70% of Starbucks’ U.S. partners (employees) are students or aspiring students. According to Glassdoor, 78% of employees would recommend the company to a friend.

Locations: All 50 states

Apply to Starbucks!

The post 5 Ways for College Students To Make Money This Summer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For those of you who may have worked a job in retail, consider it a valuable experience that can transfer skills into your work and personal life. Take a look at Elite Daily’s article about why working in retail may be one of the best work experiences you can have.

The post The Value of Working in Retail appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Thanks to Nailbox, a British nail polish subscription company, you can now become a professional nail polish tester — and get paid over $55,000 per year for doing it!

According to Mashable’s article, the job responsibilities include keeping well-manicured hands, have a keen eye for trends, understand how to snap basic pictures, and test 50 nail polishes and accessories every month.

The post Get Paid to Test Nail Polish appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What is your name? Julia H.

What is your profession? Showroom Lead

What company do you work for? Flavor Paper

How long have you been in this role? Almost a year!

What did you study in college? Art History.

Why did you choose this job? Eventually, I want to go back to school for graphic design, and this position could teach me A LOT about Photoshop, InDesign, etc. while working collaboratively. It’s super creative and I love that.

What is an average day like in your role? I work with the designers who come to the showroom or via email, reading CAD drawings and helping clients customize their paper. I also spend time editing all blog articles, press links, and editing images in Photoshop for web use.

What’s the most challenging part of your job? Being with such creative people who know the graphic design world like the back of their hand(s) is super inspiring, but can be really intimidating!

What’s your favorite part of the job? We’re producing a new collaborative line with the Warhol Foundation (launched a Spring 2013 collection as well) and working with everyone together on the artwork has been so exciting. We get to see original Warhol photographs and artwork, but still have the ability to play around and change things. It’s been crazy exciting to see just what we can do and as someone who studied Warhol at Dickinson extensively, it’s been unreal to have the experience.

What’s a common misconception about your job? People think it’s all Sales, which is definitely a component, but it’s so much more than that.

Any tips for current college students who aspire to have your job? Put yourself out there and ask for help. When you work with so few people and everything is right there at your fingertips, ask how to do something and do it. I had to ask to do the blog and press editing, and it lead to a lesson in Photoshop and now daily use of the program–what I’ve always wanted to do.

If you had a time machine and could travel back to visit yourself in college, what’s the #1 piece of advice you would have given yourself? Take more extracurriculars not as a resume builder but because, even though you might think you know all your interests, there’s so much more to learn and college is the best place to do it. I wish I had written for some publication, maybe took a graphic design course, something to push  myself more.

What is a fun perk of your job? Call me cliche but I love working with celebrities…we recently worked with Neil Patrick Harris, are constantly collaborating with Lenny Kravitz, and on my very first day, Jorma Taccone (the artist on season one of Girls and he’s in the Lonely Island Boys with Andy Samberg) came in to work with us. It’s a silly perk, but it makes it exciting!

The post Showroom Lead appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Back in high school, I worked at my family’s bakery as a cashier. Every day that I came into work, I inevitably left with at least one story of a customer who tested my patience or gave me a hard time. I couldn’t stand having to hide my frustration behind a smile and act like I was in complete agreement. Nowadays, I have a research position within my university that requires that I find participants over the age of 55 to complete a study over a ten-day period – another job that requires good people skills.

These positions, understandably, can become tedious. Constantly setting aside your own thoughts and feelings to compromise with the customer can take a toll on you. However, it is important to realize that these seemingly irrelevant jobs can and will lead you to becoming a more successful and well-rounded person.

Every job requires some form of communication, between customers or coworkers. It is difficult to see the big picture when you’re dealing with an angry customer. However, it is important that you seek out small opportunities that will allow you to gain some experience in dealing with people before you enter the workforce. No matter how irrelevant the job may seem, understand that it is helping you in the long run and making you more prepared to face a career that is likely much more demanding and stressful.

Another benefit to having jobs in which your patience is tested is that it will give you good stories to tell. I have been asked in many interviews about times in my past jobs that have been a learning experience, or about a time when I was forced to think on my feet and take care of a difficult situation. In one of my interviews, I told a story about an experience at the bakery. After I finished, I laughed and said that she probably thought I sounded ridiculous telling a story about the picky customers in the bread store. She said that she completely understood because she used to work in the hotel business. The point is that you never know what sorts of doors your odd jobs will open up for you.

There are very few drawbacks to finding a customer service job before finishing your undergraduate degree. It is a source of income, it gives you experience and a talking point for interviews, and it prepares you to face the challenges that will be present in the workplace. The benefits are immense, and despite how irrelevant these odd jobs may seem, I promise, they are worth it in the end.

The post The Importance of Customer Service appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In New York, you need to know a lot of things:  how to swipe a MetroCard (I’ve yet to master the public art), what your privacy rights as a tenant are, and even more so, where to find the best happy hours for YPs— young professionals. You can look high and low, though if you’re like me and prefer a decent place to sit and a certain ambiance filled with likeminded fashion, media, and finance kids, sometimes you’re just going to have to suck it up and dish out $20 for a cranberry and vodka. The added bonus is that you’re young, hot, and carrying a bag that’s not even out yet. That black AmEx will come sooner or later, maybe when you’ve learned to fold your towels in three neat folds like Mum showed you or make your own dinner instead of ordering Seamless. Regardless, you’re living the ultimate: you’re bright-eyed, posh, and broke.

Four weeks have gone by since I’ve arrived in New York. When recalling back everything I’ve done, everyone I’ve met, and everything I’ve heard, I can compare the past month to being on a road trip with Zach Galifianakis. Only in New York can you wake up one bright Saturday morning, swallows chirping by your pre-war windows with Lorde and Lana del Rey serenading you via MacBook Pro and take note of BeautyConNY via Joe Zee’s Twitter. Yes, you got that right: I went to that BeautyConNY event and met the Joe Zee—newly departed ELLE Creative Director/ recently inducted Editor in Chief of Yahoo Fashion, TV host/star, and all-around FASHION KING of 21^st century American dress.

“Let’s take a selfie! No, let’s take TWO!” Mr. Zee said, grabbing me, bubbly and flattered, since he was my number one must-meet-or-die icon in this life. We took two selfies and I instantly uploaded them to my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. IT. WAS. AWESOME. It would be rude of me not to mention that I was also able to snag a one-on-one chat with ELLE’s Beauty and Fitness Director Emily Dougherty and Associate Features Editor Seth Plattner, where on both counts, we laid out my professional path as an up and coming editorial Madonna in New York.

Zeroing in on my design internship with Pour La Victoire, the people and the events—not to mention beaucoup de shoes and handbags—have been equally moving on a tectonic level. As an intern, my assignments and interactions are never limited to the design department. The studio houses two other brands—I like to think of them as sister brands—and we work literally a foot apart from each other in the studio. That means that exposure to other designers is regular and I am able to expand my assisting role from one designer to another, and from one brand to another, all in a given week! The sales team—the people who pitch to buyers like Piperlime, Nordstrom, and Henri Bendel—are also constantly talking shop with the designers. Every person in the studio has a job to do, and it’s fascinating how each one unites with the department over to deliver a final product to the masses. See this gorgeous product wall that the Pour La Victoire sales team landed at Henri Bendel! An #Insta-worthy coup for the PLV team, right!?

In fashion, there are so many characters in a creative space. Where one creative may be living a rock and roll lifestyle with a vocabulary as colorful as Sharon Osbourne, another may be an Instagram queen with a gift for laying down Mindy Lahiri witticisms. You just never know what you’re going to get when you walk into an innovative environment, and that’s truly where the fun can be had. Designs may be scrapped, mistakes can be made (look here), people may get pissed off at one other, but at the end of the day, we all belong to the same team with the same goal: embrace women in our heels!

Over the next several weeks, I’m looking forward to learning about how Pour La Victoire manages itself as a successful high end brand, and even more so, expanding my role so that I can walk away with knowledge about designing footwear, selling to buyers, and evolving social media channels.

The post Fast Fashion In A Fast City: My Journey As A Design Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s no secret that the fashion industry is competitive—it’s pretty much like The Hunger Games, except that instead of people savagely killing you with swords, they kill your ego and then ask you to come back for more.

This is an industry for the thick skinned crocodiles out there; this isn’t an industry where you can have mixed feelings, or worse, no sense of your path to industry power.

Last month, I introduced myself and my story thus far as an intern in the fashion industry to readers.

Since then, I’ve been graciously invited to cultivate a column– sharing stories and insights– and will no doubt be narrating the whole thing in my head as Mindy Lahiri from The Mindy Project. My premier goal is to help clarify just one possible path the fashion-inspired can take on their way to professional respect and success.

I’ll start by saying that before my current design internship in Manhattan, I had only visited the city once; I had no connections, no family, and no friends on the east coast.

Landing the Job

After graduating a year ago, my search for an opportunity had come to a dramatic end: someone, my current boss, was willing to take a chance on a 24-year-old baby with no design background, but plenty of other ingredients, that, when culminated into a Skype interview, was enough to land me my first break in the city.

And I couldn’t have done any of it—the cover letters, the interviews, the moving to a foreign land– without my supportive family, who continue to aid my ambitions and lay that golden parachute beneath me.

The easiest part of moving is buying the airfare. Everything else—it’s like going on a first date and you’re not sure whether you’ll come out as Jane Bennett or Jane Eyre. I limited myself to 2.5 suitcases: two checked and one carry-on. It wasn’t that hard to say goodbye to my old things; I’ve always been an “out with the old, in with the new” kind of person.

Moving to Manhattan

As a fashion girl, I made sure I had the essentials among the holy trinity: clothing, accessories, and beauty. I’m no different than anyone else who underestimates the terminator power needed to haul two oversized suitcases, a weekend bag, and a handbag. It’s not graceful, I thought to myself, but this is it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing.

My destiny will come through fire and through hail. I can be dramatic. So I saw an opportunity and I took it.

As Whitney Port once said to Mama Wolf (Kelly Cutrone), “I don’t wanna be an average person.” So I left for New York without any backup plan. I knew I didn’t need one. Conviction can be your best friend when the road is uncertain.

Renting in Manhattan is basically like paying a mortgage in any other city, except maybe Los Angeles and D.C. And until I was settled, I wasn’t about to put down heavy coin for a place that I wasn’t one hundred percent sure of.

Though just like everything else in the city, my plans to stay with a girlfriend changed quickly and I was back to square one, boarding a flight to JFK alone. I told myself that it’d be alright: I’m basically like Emma Stone in The Help, running toward my future with an insanely cute hairdo and a work ethic that’s laced with Red Bull and gravitas.

Slight admission: I did have one friend in the city that I could call up, and that was a girlfriend I had grown up with and that had just moved in with her family near Manhattan. After a bunch of circles and yearning looks toward the taxis trailing each other down the arrivals lanes, my girlfriend picked me up and I stayed my first night in Jamaica, Queens (that’s a whole other borough to the north of Manhattan: about a 10 minute train ride into uptown).

Let me tell you: the residential houses look just like they do in the movies: the facades are faded, there are single patches of tulips decorating the severed sidewalks, and everyone basically looks like they belong in a Clint Eastwood movie.

The next morning was a hustle: I stayed in a youth hostel located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—“cozy” is the term offered by the hostel’s website. East Williamsburg is a rough part of town. On showing me nearby train stations, my driver asked me if I was scared. It was at that moment that I realized that I was in a bit of a pickle. I remembered that one of my mother’s childhood friends has a son who lives and works in Manhattan. I quickly messaged her on Facebook and begged to get in touch with him. My new friend from the Financial District called me up and graciously let me crash on his sofa for what was theoretically supposed to be two days.

It’s been nine days, three new friendships, and a handful of inside jokes and new experiences. I’ve basically been adopted by three insane older brothers who dress in suits and ties. Chaos, but the good kind of chaos.

Starting My New Job

Now, a few words on my footwear design internship: I’ve completed my first week at a design house in the Garment District.

Your appearance does matter. Most will make an effort, I’ve observed, and interns are no exception, especially if you want your opinion to be asked.

Figuring out what time your boss usually arrives in the morning is a must: there will always be delayed trains and you must pick up the pace before you’re late—meaning boss lady has already arrived and you look ungrateful to be there. It happens, but it shouldn’t happen that often.

You’ll mistake your uptown trains for your downtown ones and you’ll throw your hand in the air, hoping a taxi will evaporate your negligent geography skills. Oh, and the weekends are for having fun.

Just make sure that you’ve got protective friends and Uber on speed dial.

The post Taking Risks: My Unpredictable Adventure To The Fashion Industry appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.