Consumer Sciences Career Services Center
Internship Information
Internship and Entry Level Positions
Considerations concerning internship and entry level positions in the fashion and interior industries.
Retail Management
- Largest supply of jobs available.
- Have flexible hours. Do plan to work some evenings and weekends, but this can vary with organization.
- Can quickly gain management experience which is usually necessary to advance in any career area.
- Career advancement with same organization is very available.
- Many companies require that you have gone through their management training program and have worked at the level of Assistant Store Manager or above for at least 2 years before considering you for Home Office.
- Relocation is typically available and sometimes mandatory for advancement.
- Emphasis - Management and analytical skills
Merchandising
- Typically work a 40-50 hour week (8:00 - 6:00) in an internship, but entry level and above will require much longer hours and some weekends.
- Advancement is often through inter-organization movement, not intra-organization.
- Geographically, positions are limited to major cities.
- Travel is typically not involved in entry level positions.
- Emphasis - Computer and analytical skills.
Product Development
- An evolving area of the industry. Limited number of positions open.
- This area can mean different things to different organizations. Can involve specification development and inspection, marketing, designing, sourcing, etc.
- Typically work a 40-50 hour week (8:00 - 6:00) in an internship, but entry level and above will require longer hours.
- Advancement can be into other areas of same company.
- Travel is typically not involved in entry level positions.
- Geographically, positions are limited to major cities.
- Emphasis - Computer, design, technical skills.
Quality Control
- This area defined by organization, but typically involves working with specifications, dealing with manufacturing sites, possibly some testing.
- Typically work a 40-50 hour week (8:00 - 6:00) in an internship and at entry level.
- Not necessarily an area of great advancement.
- Geographically, positions are limited.
- Emphasis - Technical knowledge of product, analytical skills especially statistical.
Apparel Design
- Positions are limited.
- Typically will work with development of product design, material selection, sampling, and specifications.
- Typically work a 40-50 hour week (8:00 - 6:00) in an internship.
- Student should have a strong portfolio to show.
- Often internships are unpaid.
- Very limited geographically, with New York City and L. A./San Francisco being the major sites in the United States.
- May need additional course work beyond your degree to obtain knowledge in construction techniques.
- Major emphasis - Technical knowledge of production, CAD, and creative areas.
Interior Decorating
- Entry level positions are often difficult to obtain.
- Most likely will need to be somewhat flexible with schedule due to need of being available to meet with clients at their convenience.
- Typically will work with product selection, ordering, and follow-up with clientele.
- Student should have a strong portfolio to show.
- Major emphasis - Knowledge of products and selling skills.
Interior Design
- Student will work with specifications, material selection, and follow-up on vendor orders.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with extra hours needed at peak times.
- Student should have a strong portfolio to show.
- Major emphasis - Product knowledge, and technical and CAD rendering capabilities.
Visuals
- Non-growth area of industry.
- Positions are typically available in most major cities.
- Student will work with setting up and taking down of displays that are typically dictated by corporate office, set sales, and work with shipping department
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with extra hours needed at peak times.
- Students may want to have a portfolio to show.
- Major emphasis - Organizational skills, physical strength and some creativity.
Sales Representative
- Positions are typically located in major cities with Sale Rep. covering a certain geographical territory.
- Students will work with organization or individual Sales Rep. in facilitating order taking, follow-up with vendors and clients, and maintaining and developing client file. May assist with special events or at vendor markets.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with extra hours needed at peak times.
- Major emphasis - Selling and organizational skills, and product and computer knowledge.
Showroom Sales
- Positions are located in major market cities.
- Student will work with preparing lines to show to buyers, follow-up on orders, preparing samples and other product information, preparing appointment schedules for Account Executives.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with very long hours during market weeks.
- Major emphasis - Product knowledge, organizational and selling skills.
Marketing/Promotions
- Positions located in major cities.
- Student work will vary tremendously depending on the organization.
- Responsibilities may include helping to prepare for in-store events, maintaining client lists, follow up with vendors and clients, preparing test samples or market gifts.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with very long hours during market weeks.
- Major emphasis - Product knowledge, organizational skills and interpersonal skills
Museum/Curating
- Non-growth area of industry.
- A career in this area will require at least a Master's Degree and positions are limited.
- Student may be involved with conservation of articles, research, ascension, display, security, and care and preparation of exhibits.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 5:00 with longer hours needed for special events.
- Major emphasis - Historic and product knowledge, research and organizational skills.
Extension
- A career in this area will require at least a Master's Degree, although may obtain position without it.
- Positions located in every county in Ohio, and regionally throughout the United States. Typically must work in county or area of employment.
- Some positions are available at designated Land Grant Universities.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 5:00 with longer hours needed for special events.
- Student may be involved with working with both oral and written communication of product and consumer information to the public. May assist in preparing newsletters, presentations, workshops, mailings and telephone questions. Typically major events will include county and state fairs.
- Major emphasis - Product knowledge and communication and interpersonal skills.
Journalism
- Positions almost completely restricted to New York City, with some in L.A.
- Work schedule will typically be 8:00 - 6:00 with longer hours needed for special events and putting publication to bed.
- Work will vary depending on which area you choose to work in.
- Responsibilities will include mostly follow-up work, scheduling, going on photo shoots, going to market, and meeting with vendor reps. May be asked to write or work on artistic elements.
- Student may want to have a portfolio or writing samples available for interviews.
- Internships are not paid. Also one of the lowest paid of all positions.
- Major emphasis - Product knowledge communication or artistic talent, and organizational skills.
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