Summer 2020 Internships: Undergrad
Newly graduated Parsons Paris students from all programs have been busy interning this summer, despite the current COVID-19 crisis. Here’s a look at where some of them have been working and what they’re doing… Learn how students found their internships, what the interview process was like, and their advice for other students.
Two of our May 2020 BFA Fashion Design graduates, Amanda and Ashley, are interning in Paris for MASTERMIND this summer. MASTERMIND is an independent publication for fashion editorials by the well known stylist Marie Amelie Sauvé. They are also doing consulting/styling/photoshoots for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Paco Rabanne.
Amanda, Fashion Intern at MASTERMIND (2 months)
How did you find and secure the internship opportunity?
Through the Career Services department
What was the selection process?
Interview at the MASTERMIND office, in person… with a mask!
What kind of questions did you have during the interview?
– Are you comfortable with research process for fashion?
– Are you comfortable with the non glam side of working as a fashion assistant?
– Availability this summer
– Languages spoken
What are your roles and responsibilities during your internship?
Assisting on the preparation of shoots, packing the clothes, making sure they are in good conditions through the whole process until return of items. Running around Paris searching specific items for a shoot. Research of brands/image according to assigned photoshoot.
Are you working remotely or at the office?
At the office
What are you hoping to learn during this time?
I’m hoping to get an insight inside the magazine industry, getting to know both the people that write and produce the editorials and seeing up close how it all really works. I’m learning it takes more than just one person to make things happen, and this is how the fashion industry is. All about team work and helping each other.
What is the coolest / most surprising / most enjoyable part of your internship?
Unpacking all the garments we receive from designers, being able to look up close and study the construction and finishings. I also got to know some smaller brands I have never heard of before and I’m constantly researching different brands to be featured, so it’s a constant process. Widening the scope of brands and being appreciative of how well made everything is.
Your advice for your peers
Tailor every email, every portfolio to the opportunity you are applying. If it is a sewing/construction opportunity make sure to include samples of your sewing. If you are talking about working for a specific brand, make sure to stalk their shops and watch those videos on Youtube about the brand’s history. I have noticed I’m way more comfortable at an interview when I’ve done the homework and prepared a specific CV and portfolio for them. It only takes a few minutes to change your base portfolio/CV to a specific one for a position, but it’s worthwhile!
Ashley, Studio Intern at MASTERMIND (2 months)
How did you find and secure the internship opportunity?
Through the Parsons Paris Career Services department
What was the selection process?
I had to submit my CV and Cover letter
What kind of questions did you have during the interview?
Questions were mainly about my past experiences but also about my own design process
Was the interview online or at the office?
At the office
Tell us about what you are doing.
As a Studio Intern, my roles and responsibilities during your internship are to handle all incoming designer samples and to prepare them for photoshoots, the photoshoot assistant, etc.
Are you working remotely or at the office?
At the office
What are you hoping to learn during this time?
I’m hoping to learn how a studio and a magazine operates
What is the coolest / most surprising / most enjoyable part of your internship?
Getting to hold and touch all of the designer clothing and accessories so that I can see how it is made.
Your advice for your peers
Don’t panic and trust that time will bring about more opportunities than it is right now. Due to Covid-19, many companies have not really been looking for interns, (at least in design) but they have expressed interest for the upcoming Fall and Spring. Work on your portfolio, make sure that it represents you and your work perfectly and trust that your hard work/dedication will be seen by recruiters. And if things don’t work out, something is bound to come. Just don’t stop working hard đ
Laura, a 2020 graduate from the Strategic Design and Management program, is interning in Paris at Givenchy this summer. Givenchy is part of the LVMH group, well known for Fashion (Haute Couture, PrĂȘt-Ă -Porter), Leather and Jewelry.
Laura, Digital Marketing Assistant at Givenchy (6 months)
How did you find and secure the internship opportunity?
My personal network
What was the selection process?
I had three Zoom interviews
What kind of questions did you have during the interview?
– Why Givenchy?
– Why digital marketing?
– What are the trends?
– What are KPIs?
– What is competition doing?
– What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your roles and responsibilities during your internship?
As a Digital Marketing Assistant Project Manager, I have many responsibilities:
– Support the implementation of SEA and social campaigns
– Help deploy best practices and SEO optimisation
– Coordinate newsletter marketing calendar
– Coordinate markets on local activations
– Participate in project management on the website and social media platforms
– Carry out studies, analyses and reporting on Web activity
Are you working remotely or in the office?
I am working at the office.
What are you hoping to learn during this time?
Learn how to create a full and successful digital marketing strategy
What is the coolest / most surprising / most enjoyable part of your internship?
Discovering how to analyze current and past international digital marketing performances in order to create the best strategy
What advice would you give to others looking for internships?
Working hard to find an internship will always pay off. Patience is key. Never give up.
Ryuku, a 2020 graduate from the Art, Media and Technology program, is interning in Paris at Kenzo. Kenzo is part of the LVMH group, well known for Fashion (Haute Couture, PrĂȘt-Ă -Porter), Leather and Jewelry.
Ryuku, Product Design Assistant at Kenzo
How did you find and secure the internship opportunity?
Luck and connections
What was the selection process?
I presented my portfolio on three different occassions
What kind of questions did you have during the interview?
The interview was very focused on my portfolio and the works I presented
What are your roles and responsibilities during your internship?
I am doing design and planning for furniture projects and other design work by Kenzo Takada
What are you hoping to learn during this time?
Improve my style of illustration under a well-known brand
What is the coolest / most surprising / most enjoyable part of your internship?
Getting to know the Kenzo team and feeling like a real part of the family
Your advice for your peers
Take any opportunity, but try to find the one you really want to work with. An internship is usually 6-months maximum, but you should make sure they like you, and that you keep them as professional connections even after you leave the office.
If you have any questions or want further information, donât hesitate to reach out to us!
Virginie Grillet
Director of Careers and Internships
parsonscareerservices@newschool.edu