| Have you ever dreamed about working in a fashion | | | | fashion degree or diploma or 18 months fashion work |
| apprenticeship overseas? Imagine the glamour and | | | | experience you can apply. The amazing thing with |
| prestige of having an apprenticeship at a top New | | | | these internships is that you get a Visa to work for |
| York, LA or San Francisco fashion house on your | | | | a whole 18 months with one company and you also |
| CV? Imagine securing a job before you set off into | | | | get paid a salary while you work (and there are more |
| the sunset... | | | | benefits on arrival too!). There are some costs to get |
| I have just found out that it's possible! In the | | | | your visa and your travel costs as you would expect |
| competitive world of fashion you need to look at a | | | | but the fact that you have a guaranteed job when |
| point of difference; an experience and life skill that is | | | | you arrive and 18 months experience with one |
| going to set you apart from the graduating masses | | | | company is a great deal. The internships that I have |
| from Australian Uni's, Tafe's and Private Colleges. The | | | | seen are really comprehensive and take you thru an |
| short of it is you all qualify to work in the industry, | | | | 18 month program, so you clearly learn the ropes - |
| it's just the jobs are so few and far between you | | | | not pack boxes and run errands. For more |
| need to be able to show a future employer you've | | | | information you can contact Chris Gegg at au or go |
| got something different to offer... So let me tell you | | | | to the global recruitment website |
| a few ways that you can get some savvy o.s | | | | What can you expect when you return! Overseas |
| experience and knock the socks off any employer in | | | | experience is great and many employers are happy |
| fashion when you return... | | | | when you Gen Y's have the 'travel bug' out of your |
| Option One - buy a ticket and knock on doors. This | | | | system. The solid experience that you get from an |
| is expensive and can be unfruitful! Many have scored | | | | internship would be considered like working in a full |
| it lucky when they pack their bags and knock on the | | | | time job and the knowledge you have gained is highly |
| door of their favourite fashion house overseas but it | | | | attractive to Australian Fashion employers. |
| often has its pitfalls. If you find a company that will | | | | Don't fall into the trap of over stating your |
| take you on often due to visa problems you can't | | | | experience when you return if you have only worked |
| work for an extended amount of time and more | | | | for a flick of an eye with major brands overseas - a |
| often the pay can be very low or even work | | | | week here and a week there. Unfortunately you just |
| experience (unpaid). So yes, you can say you | | | | don't get given much autonomy when you are a 'fill in |
| worked for so and so but ultimately it was not real | | | | staff member' and even though the experience may |
| in-depth experience and you will probably need to | | | | have seemed intense to you. In the eyes of an |
| wait tables at night to fund the rest of your trip! | | | | employer it's the longevity that counts. So a few |
| Option Two - buy a ticket and visit a temping | | | | weeks here and a few weeks there may not |
| agency when you arrive. I have seen many fashion | | | | impress them enough... |
| graduates work for fabulous companies in the UK, | | | | What ever you end up doing here are my golden |
| Europe and USA thru Temporary Agencies. If you | | | | rules... Record all jobs overseas and at the time that |
| don't mind lots of variety and you can be flexible | | | | you end each job write a list of the experiences you |
| about the type of companies you work for you can | | | | had while they are fresh in your mind. Get a |
| find yourself in great roles with fabulous brands. In | | | | reference or at least a 'certificate of work' from |
| terms of really learning the ropes the major pitfall can | | | | each employer. Also get email addresses and phone |
| be a day here and a day there which is not going to | | | | numbers of referee's. Make sure the referee's are |
| leave you with any solid knowledge but the upside | | | | Management level and not just colleagues you |
| can be that you could score it lucky and have an | | | | befriended! Explain gaps in work while you traveled |
| extended stay in a company you love... it has | | | | and don't overstate any experience, the global hub of |
| happened.. | | | | fashion is a small community - you just never know |
| Option Three - finding an internship before you go. I | | | | who knows who! |
| recently came across a company who arranges 18 | | | | Above all good luck, enjoy the experience and don't |
| month internships with amazing companies in the | | | | forget to stay in touch with your loved ones while |
| USA. If you have the qualifying experience, usually a | | | | you are away! |