Interning in Heels: Lessons from the Front Row
Internships are full of experiencing new things, learning from mistakes, and going out of your comfort zone. They are not perfect, like they often seem on social media, but they are real and full of moments that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
This past summer, I completed a 10-week internship at the Dillard's Corporate Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a Bridge and Designer Buying Intern. This internship offered a diverse range of experiences within the apparel industry, including tasks such as buying future assortments, completing sales performance reports, and visiting various brick-and-mortar locations. No day looked the same, and I absolutely loved it. However, there were some key takeaways that I took from my internship throughout all of these experiences that I will continue to use for the rest of my life!
Say YES!
Learn to be okay with change and chances because you never know what they might lead to. I never imagined I would move to a city that I had never been to where I would live by myself at the age of nineteen. But now, I can not imagine my life without that experience. Not only did I gain valuable information from my internship, but I also learned so much about myself. Saying yes to opportunities within the office, was also something that I found extremely beneficial to my overall internship experience. Within my second week of my internship, I flew privately to Tampa, FL, and Knoxville, TN, all because I was presented with an opportunity that is said yes to! There are so many amazing opportunities to be experienced within the apparel industry that are just waiting for someone to say yes!
2. Wear the Outfit!
I have always believed in the saying “Look good, feel good, do good.” and it has yet to fail me. Working in the apparel industry, there is so much freedom to express yourself professionally while also being fun and fashionable. This summer, I would experiment with outfitting and accessorizing that was out of my comfort zone, and it was always the highlight of my morning! I learned that when I loved my outfit and felt confident, I had a better outlook on the workday. I also found out that it is so hard to have a bad day when you are wearing kitten heels, and this is a life lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
3. You are never fully dressed without a smile!
As cheesy as it sounds, it is so true. You never know what people are going through, and oftentimes, a smile can make their day turn around! This summer, I also learned the importance of expressing approachability and creating a positive atmosphere when communicating with different teams/departments within the company. Starting every introduction with a big smile and maintaining approachability throughout a conversation allows for positive relationships to form and for memorable interactions to be made!
So always keep a smile on your face, wear the outfit that is outside of your comfort zone, and say yes to the opportunities that may seem scary because you never know where any of them might lead you!
