While awaiting a flight to New York, I struck up a conversation with a college student, Kristoff Calhoun, who was taking advantage of Airtran Airways X fares. Unfortunately, his standby status found him stranded at the airport for an entire day, but he wasn’t too exasperated to share a few words of wisdom regarding college life.
Calhoun is a second semester fashion student at LIM college in New York, who landed a coveted internship at Gucci. Working for a premier design house isn’t an easy feat for aspiring designers so early in their college career, but he was able to pull it off. He shared his strategy with me, adding that these simple tips could be useful to any college student seeking a high-quality internship experience.
Here’s how he landed the opportunity:
1. Practice Perseverance – In any industry, without adequate experience, you’re sure to hear plenty of “no’s,” but be headstrong and determined to win.
2. Research Thoroughly – Do all you can to learn about the products and culture of the company or industry you’re targeting, but be careful not to come off as a “know-it-all” when you actually make contact.
3. Project Confidence – Be sure of your potential and your desire to get the internship, despite any perceived obstacles.
4. Project Independence – Understand that, once inside, you have a job to do and will need to do it without much supervision. During the interviews, try to use words like, “I will” versus “I can.”
5. Make and Maintain Connections – It’s all about who you know. Make good connections within your industry and keep good relationships with people; don’t burn any bridges. Also, always vocalize your aspiration when in the company of those who can provide you with leads or give you a position.
