Magnolia interned at Collette Clothing and Boutique 816 as a sales associate, gaining hands-on experience in fashion retail, building customer relationships, and marketing merchandise.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose this internship because I wanted to work in a hands-on environment with other students who have similar interests in fashion and retail. I specifically wanted an internship that was within the fashion industry so I could learn first-hand about what a career in this field would look like. The retail experience was also an added benefit as I’ve never worked in retail before and was excited to build some of the related skills of sales and customer service. I had also spent time shopping at these boutiques previously and always felt comfortable and welcomed by the staff, so it seemed like a positive environment to work in.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
My primary responsibilities in this experience were customer service, merchandising, and content creation. This involved greeting customers as they entered the store, helping them find clothes, suggesting additional items, and helping them make their final purchasing decisions. I was also responsible for keeping the sales floor clean and organized, putting out new merchandise, moving things around the store to better display them, and changing the mannequins to showcase new items. I would handle the inventory including unboxing, tagging, and steaming clothing. Finally, each shift I would take pictures of products and create content for the store’s social media accounts.
What new knowledge did you learn and develop in this internship?
This internship experience was my first time working in retail or customer service. I learned a lot of business and entrepreneurship skills by observing the operations of a small retail establishment. I developed a lot of inventory management skills as well as merchandising products in the store. I also learned how to take constant constructive feedback and to be on my toes. We were met with a lot of daily challenges and I learned how to problem-solve quickly and effectively. Customer service and sales were also some of the biggest skills that I learned throughout my internship since the experience involved constantly talking to and assisting customers.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
I have always loved fashion and I’ve found this to be a field where I’m able to let my creativity and passion shine. Throughout my college education, I’ve taken a variety of fashion, marketing , and retail classes. I’ve learned a lot about consumer behavior and trends in the fashion industry. This internship gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve been learning in the classroom in a hands-on retail setting in the fashion industry. I got to work with customers, track trends, and learn how to display and market products.
What was your favorite or most satisfying part of your internship?
Why was this meaningful to you? The most satisfying part of my internship was interacting with customers and building interpersonal relationships. I loved talking with all of the different people who came into the stores and asking them questions to get to know them and their personal sense of style. This would help me make better suggestions to them about our products. I had a lot of positive interactions with customers and felt like this was one of the areas I excelled in. I have also gotten a lot more confident in my speaking ability and being able to talk to a variety of different people.
What is the impact of your internship experience?
My internship experience helped increase my confidence in my public speaking skills and my ability to positively interact with strangers. In a short amount of time, I was able to establish positive relationships with customers and portray myself in a professional, yet friendly manner. This has given me a lot more confidence in my personal life when it comes to presenting or talking to strangers. I’ve also learned how to advocate for myself , handle challenging situations, and share my ideas with others more. Overall, this experience has helped me become a more well-rounded, self-assured person.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and begin their internship?
My advice for other students as they begin their internship is to not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Use this experience as an opportunity to learn and grow as much as you can. Your site supervisor is also human, so try to establish a connection with them. They can be a great resource to learn from and shouldn’t be intimidating. It’s also okay if you don’t hear back right away. It might take applying to a few internships before you find the one that clicks. Believe in yourself and the value that you have to offer. Don’t be afraid of trying something new and giving it your all!