Sara gained hands-on experience in curating outfits, understanding customer preferences, and refining visual merchandising skills while working as a stylist at Banana Republic.
How did you get your internship?
I got my internship by finding and applying to a job listing on LinkedIn. I kept browsing through all the job listing websites for any fashion related positions and I wasn’t sure if they were still hiring, but I applied anyway. I soon got a call from the manager at Banana Republic and went in for my initial interview and was invited back for a final interview. At the end of that final interview they offered me the position and I gladly accepted.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose this internship because it aligned with my major and with a future career path I see for myself. I wanted to get hands-on experience as well as industry experience. I also wanted more to add to my resume to show that I can work in a variety of roles within the fashion industry. Personal styling has always been a passion of mine, so to do it and get paid for it was even better. Banana Republic is a reputable company and I really liked their mission statement and values so it felt right to work for them.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I did all sorts of work throughout my internship. Some of the more notable work I did included shadowing and assisting senior stylists during client consultations. I observed and learned effective communication and personalization techniques, how to manage follow-up communications with clients to gather feedback and build lasting relationships, and to maintain and update a database of client preferences and purchase history. We would then use this information to provide personalized recommendations and participate in workshops or training sessions focusing on product knowledge and styling techniques to improve my ability to recommend products effectively. I, of course, would also work the sales floor, check customers out at the register, as well as manage fitting room experiences and maintain visual merchandising standards.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
My internship at Banana Republic directly connected to my Applied Humanities degree by combining theoretical concepts with practical application. It allowed me to explore how dress reflects identity, a core theme in my studies. I worked one-on-one with customers, learning how to interpret their preferences and needs, which aligned with the human-centered approach of Applied Humanities. This hands-on experience also emphasized adaptability and cultural awareness, helping me understand diverse perspectives in fashion. Additionally, the internship honed my ability to analyze trends and apply storytelling through clothing, which ties back to the creative and interpretive skills emphasized in my coursework. It was an opportunity to see how academic ideas about fashion and identity manifest in real-world retail settings.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
My favorite part of the internship was helping customers create outfits that made them feel confident and authentic. One particularly memorable moment was assisting a fellow U of A customer preparing for an important presentation, where I helped them select professional yet personal pieces that matched their style. Seeing their excitement and gratitude reminded me of the transformative power of clothing. It was meaningful because it reinforced my passion for helping people express themselves through fashion. This experience made me feel like I was contributing to something bigger than just selling clothes, I was helping people tell their stories and present themselves to the world in a way that felt true to them.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
The most challenging part was balancing the brand's aesthetic with individual customer preferences, especially when a customer’s style didn’t naturally align with the store's offerings. It required creative problem-solving to find pieces that suited their needs while staying within the store’s inventory. This taught me to think outside the box and adapt quickly, skills that will serve me well in any fashion related career. I also learned the importance of active listening and communication, taking the time to understand what the customer wanted rather than assuming. These challenges pushed me to grow both as a stylist and as someone who values the human connection in every interaction.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in fashion, whether as a stylist, designer, or pattern maker. It gave me a clearer understanding of the retail and styling side of the industry and inspired me to consider roles where I can make a direct impact on people’s lives through clothing. The experience also highlighted the importance of understanding customer behavior and preferences, which makes me more interested in exploring the intersection of fashion and psychology. It also helped me feel confident in working directly with people, ideally I could want a job that combined humanities and fashion. Moving forward, I plan to build on the skills I gained, such as customer service and trend analysis, while continuing to explore creative outlets like personal styling and design. It also solidified my belief that fashion is not just about clothing but about identity, storytelling, and connection.