Week 1: An overview

My first work week in the City was a whirlwind. The days were long, but somehow they seemed to go by fast. 

-Routine-

I wake up every morning at 5AM to have breakfast and coffee, then go for a short run before work. I get cleaned up and ready, and somehow I'm out the door by 8. As I get more comfortable with my routine I'll be leaving a bit later, since I'm usually about a half an hour early. Starbucks in my building has been a blessing and a curse. Without it I'd be wandering around Times Square before work everyday (not that I'm opposed, but in 30-degree weather it's not as enjoyable as you'd think; as it gets warmer out, I'll purposely leave earlier again so I can wander around - one of my favorite things to do in the City). Having Starbucks so close to my office, however, has allowed the franchise to own my soul, and I really don't need to be spending extra money on coffee when I make a pot every morning at my apartment. I need to figure this whole timing thing out ASAP.

-Work-

Even though at this point I've only come into the office 8 times, I feel as though I've learned so much already. I won't bore you with specifics (although the specifics are interesting to me, they might not be to you), but retail and merchandising is a lot more business and a lot less celebrity handlings than PR. I work a lot with computer programs to find/document warehouse and store inventory, and I have created tons of catalogs that are made especially for buyers to peruse. I've done some "intern" work as well (i.e. running to the Soho and Madison Avenue stores to check up on merchandising, etc), but that is to be expected when you're an intern (at least in the fashion industry). As far as internships go, though, I've been lucky to be doing real work - work that even my bosses do on a daily basis - so there haven't been as many errands as you'd think.

-Side note-

[This blog will go in whichever direction my mind is going at the moment, so you can expect a lot of side notes.] 

Since getting into this industry, I have considered going back to business school for marketing. Not going to lie, much of the reasoning behind this idea is because of my dad. For those of you who know me well, you know that my dad is my hero. He's my inspiration. He's been my role model since I was very very little. He's one of the smartest men I know - a Cornell University and Harvard Business School graduate. He has always pushed me to do my very best in everything I do. I somewhat blame him for my extreme perfectionism, and there was definitely a good amount of pressure put on me growing up to do well in school, etc, but I can't be too mad about that, since I identify with that characteristic of self more than any other aspect of my personality. Honestly don't know who I'd be, or if I'd even be where I am today, if I wasn't a perfectionist.

Anyways, the reason for that tangent is that, ever since my summer internship, and even more since starting my Nicole Miller internship, I have realized that (contrary to my father's beliefs) it isn't 100% necessary to go back to school. My boss at NM, for example, is 27ish years old and is the Retail and Merchandising manager for the entire company and corporate office. She has the power to hire and fire all of the store managers in each of the 6 NM boutiques nationwide (she's done it twice already since I've been here), and she works with (and has influence over) every department of the company, since retail and merchandising has a lot to do with finances and how the company sells merchandise in order to make the most profit.

She didn't get her position through extra schooling, though. She, instead, worked her way up the ladder and learned everything there is to know about what her position entails solely through doing it. So far everyone I've talked to in the fashion industry claims there isn't a need to go to business school because you learn best on the job, and I've seen first-hand that this is true. This is great news for someone like me who, as I mentioned in a previous post, has trouble motivating myself to learn like an actual student. 

Who knows, though. Seeing myself go through intense phases of which once I'm checked out I'm CHECKED.OUT, having more formal schooling is still a possibility if I get sick of what I'm doing. Doesn't seem too likely at the moment, but I'll obviously keep my options open and see where this internship (and my first paid job) leads me.

For now, though, I love learning in the environment that I'm in. (How could I not be happy surrounded by gorgeous clothing and my favorite fashion designer?!) I feel like this next chapter in my education will be extremely beneficial to my future and, although the future freaks me out like nothing else, I'm excited to see where I end up.

xo