High School Fashion Internships: Requirements and Opportunities

The fashion industry, often portrayed as demanding and competitive, offers exciting opportunities for aspiring professionals. Just like the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" suggests, breaking into this field requires dedication and experience. A fashion internship can provide invaluable real-world exposure, setting students apart from the competition and preparing them for future careers. Fortunately, numerous fashion internships and courses are available to high school students, offering a head start in this dynamic industry.

Why Pursue a Fashion Internship in High School?

For high school students interested in fashion, internships and fashion-related courses offer numerous benefits. These experiences enhance college applications, providing a competitive edge when applying to top fashion programs. Furthermore, they offer practical skills and knowledge, solidifying a foundation for a future fashion career.

Ways to Gain Experience in Fashion

If you're interested in a career in fashion, there are numerous ways you can get more knowledge and experience in the field before even graduating high school.

Job Shadowing:Job shadowing involves observing a professional in their daily work environment. This experience introduces students to different careers and helps them determine their suitability for specific roles. By following a mentor, students gain insights into the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of a fashion professional. Job shadowing primarily involves listening and observing, but it may also offer opportunities to perform simple job duties.

Fashion Classes:Taking a fashion class is another excellent way to learn about fashion careers. These classes can range from one-day workshops to semester-long courses or summer camps. High schools with diverse elective options may offer fashion-related classes during the school day. Alternatively, community colleges or summer programs in fashion hubs may provide additional learning opportunities.

Internships:Internships provide short-term job experiences that offer introductory exposure to a specific profession. While securing an internship as a high school student can be challenging, it provides invaluable insights into the realities of working in the fashion industry.

Fashion Internship and Course Opportunities for High Schoolers

Here are some specific fashion internships and courses available for high school students:

Internships

URBN: URBN, the parent company of Urban Outfitters, BHLDN, Free People, and Anthropologie, offers 10-week paid internships at its Philadelphia headquarters. Interns gain hands-on experience in various areas of interest and may have the opportunity for remote work.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co.: Recent high school graduates and college freshmen can participate in Abercrombie & Fitch's week-long virtual event. This program provides hands-on experience with customer insight case studies and teaches participants how to generate data, insights, and actionable business solutions.
Terry Costa: Terry Costa, a bridal and formal wear retailer, offers internships in business operations, interview etiquette, customer service, retail operations, social media, sales, and marketing.
Intern Abroad HQ: Intern Abroad HQ offers remote fashion marketing internships, matching interns with supervisors and fashion brands based in Italy.

Courses and Programs

Parsons School of Design/The New School: Parsons offers a three-week summer program for high school students interested in fashion design, fashion styling, and product design. Participants attend courses, hear from guest speakers, and go on virtual field trips.
RISD (Rhode Island School of Design): RISD offers a six-week in-person summer program for rising juniors and seniors. Students live in dorms and work on projects and their portfolios. RISD also offers virtual programs during the summer and school year.

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FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology): FIT offers numerous programs throughout the year for high school students, covering topics such as accessory design, fashion marketing, and sewing basics.
Texas Woman's University: Texas Woman's University offers fashion camps for students ages 10-18. The camp covers design concepts, textile knowledge, color theory, sewing, apparel construction, fashion sketching, board development, and fashion show production.
Drexel University: Drexel offers a virtual course on fashion merchandising for high school students ages 16 and up. The course focuses on the relationship between design, development, merchandising, and marketing in fashion.
LIM College: LIM College offers an online fashion academy every July for high school students. The program consists of virtual interactive workshops on topics such as fashion media, styling, and e-tailing.
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: This program teaches high school juniors and seniors how designers turn ideas into final designs.

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Museum of Art and Design (New York City): This program is aimed at New York City teens with an interest in art, fashion, design, and social justice.
Saturday Career Workshops at The One Club for Creativity: These workshops are an amazing resource for those aspiring to enter the fashion industry.
OTIS College of Art and Design: This free program is open to Los Angeles high school sophomores and juniors and helps participants develop as artists, prepare for college, and explore careers in the arts and creative economy.
SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Rising Star Program: This four-week summer program awards college credit to rising high school seniors and allows participants to get a feel for college life while building their portfolios and creating a network of like-minded peers.
Pre-College Program at Marist College: This program is ideal for students interested in majoring in fashion merchandising and careers in the fashion industry.
Idyllwild Arts Fashion Design Intensive: This intensive summer art camp introduces students to the field of fashion design.
Moore College of Art & Design: This three-week summer program is aimed at rising 10th through 12th graders. Students live and learn on campus, gaining a firsthand college experience.
Pratt Institute: This rigorous four-week, full-time program is an excellent opportunity for high schoolers aspiring to a career in fashion.

Making the Most of Your Fashion Internship Experience

Once you've completed a fashion internship, it's essential to showcase your experience effectively to boost your college application.

Detailed Descriptions: In your college application, provide detailed descriptions of your internship duties and accomplishments. Don't simply list your job title; explain the specific tasks you performed and the results you achieved.
Online Portfolio: Create an online portfolio to showcase the projects you've worked on during your internship or independently. This portfolio will impress colleges and future employers.
Letters of Recommendation: Request a letter of recommendation from your supervisor or fashion instructor. This letter should highlight your internship duties, coursework requirements, and accomplishments, providing colleges with valuable insights into your abilities and potential.

Additional Internship Opportunities

Beyond specific programs for high school students, consider these broader internship options:

Fashion Stylist Intern/Volunteer: This internship involves working with designers, tailors, models, photographers, hair and makeup artists, retailers, and members of the media to gain experience in a studio setting.
Hair and Makeup Artist Volunteer/Internship: This internship focuses on applying makeup and styling hair for models before and during photo shoots, requiring experience in both hair and makeup for commercial and fashion photography.
HR Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Internship: This internship assists with employee engagement activities, including helping employee resource groups and inclusion counsel activities, requiring strong organization, timeline management skills, and analytical thinking skills.
Coach Marketing Internship: This internship involves developing, writing, and editing copy for Coach branding initiatives across channels, including digital, packaging, and store signage, requiring experience writing in a deadline-driven environment and knowledge of AP guidelines or Chicago Manual of Style.
IT Internship: This internship involves reviewing and understanding business requirements and functional specifications documents to create test cases/use cases, requiring a proactive attitude and strong communication skills.
Remote Human Resources Data Analytics Internship: This internship provides direct work experience and on-the-job training with key members of the business, requiring a GPA of 3.0, comfort working virtually/remotely, and strong analytical and organizational skills.
Alterations Internship: This internship involves interfacing with customers by phone and in person on the sales floor, requiring interest in garment construction, some sewing experience, and strong organizational skills.
Fashion and Marketing Copywriter Internship: This internship is responsible for product page editorial and generating engaging product copy and Editorâs notes, requiring experience with Internet/interactive copywriting within the fashion, editorial, or related industry and an excellent command of the English language.
H&M Internship Programs: H&M offers various internship programs in design, product development, business controlling, and data science, providing hands-on experience and mentorship.

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities, including internships and programs, play a significant role in college admissions decisions. These activities can account for up to 25% of the decision-making process. Impressive internships at well-known brands or participation in prestigious programs can significantly enhance your college application.

Challenges and Considerations

While internships offer valuable experience, it's important to acknowledge potential challenges and considerations:

Unrealistic Expectations: Applicants should have realistic expectations about the fashion industry and the roles they will be performing.
Employer Concerns: Employers may be wary of interns who primarily seek to network and build their own future enterprises rather than demonstrating loyalty and dedication to the company.
Financial Barriers: Unpaid internships may favor students with greater financial resources, potentially exacerbating inequalities in access to competitive industries.
Legal Criteria: Employers must adhere to federal legal criteria when offering internships to ensure fair and ethical practices.

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